(October 6, 2022) – With eight rookies on the roster the new look Team Connecticut is set to compete against defending champion Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the 2022 Tri-State Matches at the Aquidneck Club in Rhode Island on October 11-12.
“I am excited that we have all these rookies on the roster,” team captain Roger Everin said. “I am looking forward to seeing how they play because they all have great records.”
The first Tri-State Matches were played in 1928 at the Yale Golf Course with Massachusetts winning the first of their 37 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.
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 have won the last two matches. Heading into this year’s competition Massachusetts has won 16 of the last 17 Tri-State Matches.
Rhode Island won four of the first eight matches but has only won 12-times overall and not since 2001.
This year’s Connecticut roster – with only three players remaining from their victory in 2018 – will be looking to avenge last year’s disappointing third-place finish.
“All the new guys are just biting at the bit,” Everin said. “They just can’t wait to get to the action. The new guys don’t really know what they are getting into. The veterans know how tough Massachusetts and Rhode Island can be but the rookies are just going to go play golf.”
Each team is comprised of 10 mid-amateurs and six senior amateurs for a total of 16 players. Play will begin Tuesday morning with foursomes in the morning followed by singles in the afternoon. The final day will feature one round of four-ball matches.
Aquidneck Club, the second-time host located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, is a 6,675 yard par-71 layout. The seaside links were designed by Donald Steel and feature water views on eight holes.
Connecticut Roster
Tri-State Victories: 40
Last Victory: 2018
Mid-Amateurs
Chris Ayers (Goodwin GC) – One of the top players in recent years Ayers will be making his first Tri-State Matches appearance. This year Ayers finished second at the Russell C. Palmer Cup, tied for second at the Public Links, and reached the Connecticut Amateur quarterfinals.
Eric Bleile (EClub of Connecticut) – In May Bleile made his Team Connecticut debut at the Julius Boros Challenge Cup, and now he makes his first Tri-State appearance. This year Bleile reached match play at the Connecticut Amateur, tied for fourth at the Connecticut Four-Ball, and won the Manchester Country Club Four-Ball One Day.
Ben Conroy (New Haven CC) – A staple on Team Connecticut Conroy reached the semifinals at the Connecticut Amateur in June.
Ben Day (New Haven CC) – In many ways, it has been a banner year for Day. In August he competed in the U.S. Amateur and last month he played in the U.S. Mid-Amateur. In CSGA events his season was highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the Mid-Amateur and a run to the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur.
Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center) – It was another strong season for Dowling. He won his second consecutive Mid-Amateur, reached the title match of the Connecticut Amateur, tied for fourth at the Russell C. Palmer Cup, and played in the U.S. Amateur.
Mark Eells (Blackledge CC) – Thanks to his win at the Connecticut Public Links, Eells will play on his first Tri-State team.
Dan Gallo (Mill River CC) – A first-time member of the Tri-State team, Gallo was a quarterfinalist at the Connecticut Amateur and finished fifth at the Mid-Amateur.
Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC) – The Tri-State rookie lost the Connecticut Four-Ball in a playoff and made it to the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur.
Jason Longo (Brooklawn CC) – A late addition to the roster, Longo will be making his first Tri-State Matches appearance. This year Longo qualified for the U.S. Mid-Amateur, lost the Connecticut Four-Ball in a playoff, and won the Manchester Country Club Four-Ball One Day.
Arthur Ouimet (EClub of Connecticut) – A Tri-State Matches rookie, Ouimet lost the Connecticut Four-Ball in a playoff and tied for fourth at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Jamie Sheltman (Wallingford CC) – A winner at the Two Man Championship this year, Sheltman also finished third at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Note: Jason Longo competed on day one and Ben Conroy on day two.
Seniors
Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC) – This year Jones won his first CSGA major when he captured the Connecticut Senior Match Play in June. He nearly won the Connecticut Senior Amateur as well before settling for a T4 finish.
Bill Hermanson (Black Hall Club) – The Connecticut Golf Hall of Famer had a strong season. He reached match play at both the Connecticut Amateur and Senior Match Play. At the Connecticut Senior Amateur Hermanson tied for second place.
Patrick McGuiness (Keney Park GC) – This year McGuiness reached the quarterfinals at the Senior Match Play and was tied for 10th at the Connecticut Senior Amateur.
Craig Platt (Mill River CC) – In September Platt tied for third at the New England Senior Amateur. Earlier in the year Platt reached the Round of 16 at the Senior Match Play and won the Country Club of Waterbury Siderowf Division One Day.
Richard Shildneck (Alling Memorial GC) – A Tri-State rookie, Shildneck was a winner at the Connecticut Senior Four-Ball and also reached the Round of 16 at the Senior Match Play.
Richard Stevens (EClub of Connecticut) – It was another strong season for Stevens. His year was highlighted by a T2 finish at the Connecticut Senior Amateur, a second-place showing at the New England Senior Amateur, and medalist honors at the Senior Match Play.
Rhode Island Roster – click for more
Tri-State Victories: 12
Last Victory: 2001
Mid-Amateurs
Kevin Blaser
Austin Cilley
Tyler Cooke
Mike Hamilton
Nick Hedden
Bobby Leopold
Tom McCormick
Kevin Silva
Brad Valois
Jantzen Vargas
Seniors
John Auclair
Dave McNally
Tim Murray
Chris O’Neill
Dean Parziale
EJ Wholey
Massachusetts Roster – click for more
Tri-State Victories: 37
Last Victory: 2021
Mid-Amateurs
Billy Argus
Mike Calef
Sean Fitzpatrick
Will Frodigh
Joe Harney
Brandon Parker
Matt Parziale
Jake Shuman
Ricky Stimets
Kyle Tibbetts
Seniors
Doug Clapp
Todd Ezold
John McNeill
Kevin Shea
Steve Tasho
Frank Vana
Hero Image: 2021 Connecticut Tri-State team.
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.
