(October 12, 2023) – After being rained out in August the rescheduled 38th playing of the Connecticut Public Links Championship is slated for October 16-17 at Keney Park Golf Course.
“We are proud to welcome the best of all public facility players to Keney Park,” said chief golf operations manager Ralph Salito.
The history of Keney Park GC dates back nearly 100 years to 1927 when Devereux Emmet, who also designed the Hartford Golf Club, Country Club of Farmington, and Congressional Country Club, mapped out the first nine holes. Four years later in 1931, the second nine was designed by City of Hartford engineer Robert “Jack” Ross.
In 2013 after nearly three decades of leasing the course the City of Hartford elected to move the operations back under the direction of the Department of Public Works. Shortly after the course embarked on a restoration project reopening in May of 2016. Since reopening the course has hosted the Connecticut PGA Championship, the Hartford Women’s Open, and the National Boy’s and Girl’s Junior PGA Championships. Now for the first time, the course will welcome the Connecticut Public Links.
A field of 90 players including defending champion Mark Eells will battle across 36 holes on the par-70 6,449-yard layout.
“Being the defending champion I have even more of an itch to win again,” said Mark Eells who won on his home course of Blackledge Country Club last year. “However, I’m going to approach it as I always do which is to focus on my own game and try to put up the lowest score I can.”
Despite the relatively short layout, the course’s main defense is its undulating greens. “I’ve only played nine holes at Keney Park GC but from what I remember the greens had a lot of character to them with lots of slopes,” Eells said. “So I think one of the keys to success will be managing the short game well.”
Players can also expect challenges on the three consecutive par-4s to close out the front nine and the closing three-hole stretch on the back nine. The round will conclude with a difficult par-3 that measures almost 200 yards.
Meanwhile, the best opportunity for birdies can be found on the three par-5s. The longest of which is 533 yards.
“The best birdie chances on the course are the par-5s, Nos. 2, 10, and 14,” said Salito. “Those holes will be reachable in two with a good drive for most of the field.”
The 38th Connecticut Public Links will begin on Monday, October 16 at 8 a.m. Following the completion of the first round, the top 30 players and ties will advance to Tuesday’s final round.
Notes on Field:
Number of Players: 99
Past Champions (5): Mark Eells (2023), Nick Waddington (2021), Connor Roche (2020), Chet Hrostek (2015), Brent Dietz (2013)
Players to Watch:
Mark Eells (Blackledge CC): Last year Eells won the title on his home course and this year he will be looking to be the first player since Joe Dennis in 2003-2004 to go back-to-back.
Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC): The two-time reigning Dick Siderowf Player of the Year reached the quarterfinals of the Senior Match Play Championship in June and earlier this month he finished in a tie for fifth at the Connecticut Senior Amateur.
Mike Kennedy (Tashua Knolls GC): The 2017 Connecticut Mid-Amateur winner finished T4 at the Mid-Amateur in late August and tied for sixth at the Two Man Championship in May.
Patrick McGuiness (Keney Park GC): A past winner of the Connecticut Senior Amateur and Senior Match Play Championship, McGuiness will be playing on his home course. So far this season McGuiness has finished T2 at the Connecticut Senior Amateur and reached the Round of 32 at the Senior Match Play.
Peter Tomlinson (Orange Hills CC): So far Tomlinson has put together a strong year. He reached match play at the Connecticut Amateur, was fourth at the Russell C. Palmer Cup, and finished T14 at the Connecticut Open. In addition, to winning the Public Links in 2019 he has had near misses each of the last two years finishing second and tied for second.
Hero Image courtesy of Golf Digest
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Public Links is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
