(October 8, 2021) – The 87th Tri-State Matches will be headed to Cape Cod National Golf Club from October 12-13th. After being canceled last year due to weather the matches return this year with Connecticut looking to win for the second time in their last three attempts.
“Last year was a tough year,” said Team Captain Roger Everin. “We kept rescheduling and rescheduling and then we finally had a date and it rained. But we are excited for this year. The team I have this year is the strongest I have had in five years. Massachusetts will be the favorite but I don’t mind being the underdog.”
The first Tri-State Matches were played in 1928 at the Yale Golf Course with Massachusetts winning the first of their 36 titles. However, for much of the early days of the competition it was Connecticut that racked up the titles. Winners of 40 in total Connecticut won 23 of the 33 matches played between 1946-1980 (the event was not played in 1974). However, of late Massachusetts has been the dominant force winning 14 consecutive matches from 2004-2017 and then after Connecticut snapped their streak in 2018 they won again in 2019. Heading into this year’s competition Massachusetts has won 15 of the last 16 Tri-State Matches.
Rhode Island won four of the first eight matches but has only won 12-times overall and not since 2001.
Each team is comprised of 10 mid-amateurs and six senior amateurs for a total of 16 players. Play begins on October 12th with a pair of shotgun starts at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. with the teams competing in two rounds of foursomes (alternate shot). Day two will feature one round of singles matches.
“I did make some changes this year,” Everin said of his preparation for the matches. “Before when it came to lodging the guys would pick their roommates but I picked who they were going to stay with based on who they will play with. The practice rounds are also more organized so guys are playing with who they will play with in the matches so hopefully there is some more familiarity.”
Familiarity and experience will not be hard to come by this year for Team Connecticut. Eight of the 16 players on this year’s team were on the victorious 2018 team and 14 of the players have played in either the Tri-States or Julius Boros Challenge Cup.
Cape Cod National GC, located in the town of Brewster, is a par-72 layout that will be played at 6,800-6,900 yards for the mid-amateurs and at 6,400-6,500 yards for the seniors. Designed by Brian Silva the course opened in June of 1998 and will become the 19th course in Massachusetts to host the matches.
“I keep reminding the players that it is really just another tournament and they are really good at competing in other tournaments so they just need to go and play good golf like they always do,” said Everin.
Connecticut Roster
Tri-State Victories: 40
Last Victory: 2018
Mid-Amateurs
Brian Ahern (Wampanoag CC): In just three events this season Ahern placed inside the top-seven twice. First he finished 4th at the Palmer Cup and then a few months later he was T7 at the Mid-Amateur.
Ben Conroy (New Haven CC): The 31-year-old qualified for match play at the Connecticut Amateur and then played a stellar final round at the Mid-Amateur to crack the top-10.
Ben Day (New Haven CC): Day got his season off to a strong start earning a T3 showing at the Two Man Championship in April. At the Connecticut Amateur he qualified for match play earning the six-seed.
Rick Dowling (EClub of Connecticut): This year’s Connecticut Mid-Amateur winner also won the Two Man Championship, reached the quarterfinals at the Connecticut Amateur, and finished 3rd at the Palmer Cup.
Patrick Griffin (Chippanee GC): After overcoming an early season injury Griffin has been playing well in recent weeks picking up two One Day victories. Despite battling an injury early in the season Griffin reached U.S. Open Final Qualifying and made match play at the Connecticut Amateur.
Mike Kennedy (New Haven CC): In the biggest events Kennedy played some of his best golf reaching the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur and finishing T10 at the Mid-Amateur.
Dan Murphy (H. Smith Richardson GC): In six events the 30-year recorded four top-10 finishes. His best finish came on his home course at the Public Links where he placed 4th.
Jamie Sheltman (Alling Memorial GC): In a two week stretch in August Sheltman nearly won twice first finishing T2 a the Mid-Amateur and then 3rd at the Public Links. He reached match play at the Connecticut Amateur, was T4 at the Four-Ball, and T5 at the Two Man Championship.
Peter Tomlinson (Orange Hills CC): This year Tomlinson finished in the top-10 five times in six events with his best showing coming at the Public Links where he was 2nd. Tomlinson made a run at the Mid-Amateur finishing 4th and reached the quarterfinals of the Connecticut Amateur.
Nick Waddington (Manchester CC): In August Waddington came from behind to win the Public Links and then a few weeks later he posted a 3rd place finish at the Four-Ball Championship. Waddington played well at the New England Amateur finishing T6.
Seniors
Bill Hermanson (Black Hall Club): In 12 tournaments this season Hermanson has won three times including the Siderowf Division at the Tournament of Champions. The Connecticut Golf Hall of Famer also finished T2 at the New England Senior Amateur and T5 at the Connecticut Senior Amateur.
Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC): This year’s Siderowf Player of the Year, Jones won five One Day tournaments, reached the quarterfinals at the Senior Match Play, and finished T2 at the New England Senior Amateur.
Bob Murphy (Brownson CC): Murphy nearly won the Senior Match Play falling on the final hole of the title match. He made a run at the New England Senior Amateur as well settling for a T2 showing.
Craig Platt (Mill River CC): In June Platt stormed through the bracket to win the Senior Match Play title.
Donal Reilly (H. Smith Richardson GC): At the end of September Reilly rallied in the final round to win the Connecticut Senior Amateur.
Dick Stevens (Western Hills GC): This year Stevens captured the Senior Four-Ball title, won two One Day tournaments, and finished T14 at the Connecticut Senior Open where he also was the low amateur from Connecticut.
Rhode Island Roster – Click here for more
Tri-State Victories: 12
Last Victory: 2001
Mid-Amateurs
Jordan Amorin
Kevin Blaser
Austin Cilley
Tyler Cooke
Mike Hamilton
Bobby Leopold
Jamie Lukowicz
Tom McCormick
Kolby Simmons
McKinley Slade
Seniors
John Auclair
Darren Corrente
Randy Millen
Dante Najarian
Dean Parziale
George Pirie
Massachusetts Roster – Click here for more
Tri-State Victories: 36
Last Victory: 2019
Mid-Amateurs
Shuvam Bhaumik
Mike Calef
Doug Clapp
Andrew Diramio
Joe Harney
Nick Maccario
Brandon Parker
Matt Parziale
Ryan Riley
Kyle Tibbetts
Seniors
John Hadges
John McNeill
David Pierce
Keith Smith
Steve Tasho
Frank Vana
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association 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.
Hero Image: 2018 Team Connecticut (Credit: MassGolf)
