(May 22, 2024) – The Connecticut Women’s Open presented by Crescent Point Private Wealth will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a trip to the Connecticut shoreline from May 28-29. This year a field of 68 players including defending champion Samantha Morrell will look to conquer Madison Country Club.
“Hosting CSGA events at Madison is our way of giving back to the game of golf,” Madison CC head professional Frank Carta said. “The membership is proud of their course and enjoy watching the best players compete for various championships.”
The CSGA regularly hosts major championships at Madison CC and has most recently contested the 2020 Connecticut Mid-Amateur and the 2022 Senior Match Play along with numerous qualifiers at the Willie Park, Jr. design.
A meandering 6,000-yard par 71 layout with numerous ocean views and an ever present coastal breeze will challenge players from the opening tee shot until the final putt drops on the difficult closing par-5.
“The players will be challenged the most when they have an iron in their hands and around the greens,” Carta explained. “The greens are small and exposed to the wind so solid ball striking will be crucial. In addition, to the small greens, the bunkers sit well below the putting surface and are close to the greens.”
Last year Samantha Morrell won the Connecticut Women’s Open thanks to two steady days of play at Rolling Hills Country Club. This year Morrell will be seeking to become the first player since Megan Kang in 2012-2013 and just the fourth player ever to win back-to-back Connecticut Women’s Open titles.
Talking about her approach to defending at the Connecticut Women’s Open Morrell said, “I have defended a few titles, but that was early in my playing career while I was in high school and college. This will be the first time I have defended in a while. I need to approach the event as if it were any other tournament and as if I was not defending. I believe putting unnecessary pressure to perform well and focusing on the outcome will not help me win another title. I will go into this year’s event enjoying the feeling of playing competitive golf and being grateful to still be playing.”
Morrell, an assistant PGA Professional at Fenway Golf Club in New York, has not played Madison CC but plans on playing a practice round ahead of the tournament. However, Morrell an experienced tournament player who will be playing her fourth KPMG Women’s PGA Championship this year has a proven method of tournament preparation.
“Before events, I spend a lot of time playing on the course and also doing putting drills,” Morrell said. “It’s easy to just stay on the range and swing, but before an event, I think it’s most important for me to put in more time on the course and just play. That’s where golf really happens after all.”
The 25th Connecticut Women’s Open presented by Crescent Point Private Wealth will begin at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28 with the final round to follow on Wednesday, May 29.
Additional 25th Connecticut Women’s Open presented by Crescent Point Private Wealth Coverage:
In the months leading up to the 25th Connecticut Women’s Open, the CSGA interviewed numerous past champions to talk about their victories. Click the links below to listen to the interviews.
Sarah Burnham (2018)
Jordan Lintz (2011)
Liz Janangelo Caron (2003-2006)
Tammy Lohren (1999 – The first winner of the Connecticut Women’s Open)
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 68
Past Champions (5): Samantha Morrell (2023), Melissa Siviter (2021), Loretta Giovannettone (2019), Kayla Lawrence (2017), Jordan Lintz (2011)
Players to Watch:
Chelsea Dantonio – Last year Dantonio put together a strong showing at the Connecticut Women’s Open finishing in a tie for fifth.
Loretta Giovannettone – The 2019 champion at Brooklawn Country Club played in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltustrol Golf Club last year.
Pamela Kuong – Last year Kuong finished in fourth place at the R&A’s Women’s Senior Amateur Championship.
Kayla Lawrence – The winner in 2017 at Torrington Country Club is back in the field this year.
Jordan Lintz – The 2011 champion has finished in the top 10 each of the last three years including a T4 showing last year. Lintz who played in the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship also qualified for the LPGA Tour in 2005 with full-time playing status. After a banner career at the University of Wyoming, Lintz was inducted into the Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame.
Arabella Lopez – 15-year-old Arabella Lopez won the 2023 Connecticut Women’s Amateur as part of a banner year that saw her win the Liz Janangelo Caron Women’s Player of the Year award. Lopez tied for eighth last year at the Connecticut Women’s Open.
Samantha Morrell – The defending champion will also be playing in her fourth KPMG Women’s PGA Championship later this year.
Margot Rouquette – Fresh off a successful senior year at Sacred Heart, Rouquette will look to make a run at Madison CC. Rouquette, from France, had a memorable senior year earning NEC Player of the Year honors while also winning twice including at the NEC Championships, and finishing in second place three times.
Melissa Siviter – In 2021 Siviter earned her first career victory when she won the Connecticut Women’s Open at Black Hall Club. Last year Siviter finished T2 after finishing T3 the year before.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Women’s Open presented by Crescent Point Private Wealth 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.
