Wallingford, Connecticut (August 21, 2025) – On a late August day that felt more like early October Thomas Labbe and Luke Stennett prevailed on the fifth extra hole to capture the 85th Connecticut Four-Ball Championship.
With the sun dipping below the hills surrounding Wallingford Country Club a day that began at 7 a.m. was racing against the final rays of sunshine as the teams of Thomas Labbe/Luke Stennett and Rick Dowling/Mike Kennedy battled to see who would win the 85th Connecticut Four-Ball Championship.
Three teams – Labbe/Stennett, the defending champions Dowling/Kennedy, and 2021 winners Tim Bickford (Timberlin GC)/David Flint (Wallingford CC) – finished regulation on a chilly and blustery marathon day with 9-under 62s setting the stage for the first Four-Ball Championship playoff since 2022.
On the first playoff hole, the par-4 first, Stennett (Tallwood CC) drilled a 35-footer for birdie while Dowling (Golf Performance Center) converted from 10 feet.
“After the birdie on the first hole, I felt like that swung some momentum towards us,” said rising University of Rhode Island sophomore and 2025 Connecticut Junior Amateur winner Luke Stennett. “We tried to take advantage of the momentum. We didn’t execute some shots, but we were able to stick with it.”
As the daylight continued to fade the tension only increased. By the time play reached the third extra hole, the par-4 third, it was just the teams of Labbe/Stennett and Dowling/Kennedy (Tashua Knolls GC) that remained.
On the third playoff hole, both teams had looks at birdie but missed, sending play to the par-3 16th. Facing a difficult tee shot Dowling played aggressively and landed his ball 15 feet right of a pin that was tucked into a left portion of the undulating putting surface. He would have a good look for birdie.
Meanwhile, the other three players were forced to work for par. Kennedy and Stennett from off the green and Labbe from 30 feet away across the challenging putting surface. So with the stage set Dowling had a chance to put an end to the proceedings. Dowling, a three-time Connecticut Mid-Amateur winner, carefully studied the putt and sent the ball on its way. However, when the putt just missed and after Stennett completed an impressive up and down from the thick rough left of the green to save par play continued.
On the fifth extra hole, the short par-4 17th, Labbe, Stennett, and Dowling all knocked their approach shots to within 10 feet, setting up a putting contest. The first to putt was Stennett but his attempt slid by. Next up was Dowling. With already one birdie to his credit in the playoff the two-time Connecticut Amateur winner was looking to add another but this time he couldn’t get the putt from eight feet to fall.
It was now up to Labbe. With just four feet up the hill remaining Labbe (Watertown GC) made sure to go through his routine. Finally, comfortable Labbe stroked it pure and watched as the ball dropped into the bottom of the cup to close out the 85th Connecticut Four-Ball title.
“During the playoff I was just trying to keep the nerves calm,” first-time CSGA winner Thomas Labbe said. “It’s different than the regulation play so I was just trying to hit some good shots and roll a couple of putts in.”
Labbe and Stennett, a team that was formed over text message two weeks ago, began their day with a birdie on the opening hole of regulation and never looked back. The duo was 4-under at the turn thanks to additional birdies on No. 2, 3, and 5. On the back nine it was more of the same as they played the side in a flawless 5-under 31 with birdies on Nos. 10, 12, 13, 15, and 18. Overall, they recorded nine birdies and no bogeys.
The top five was rounded out by Bradley Sawka/Jack Snyder (Ellington Ridge CC) in fourth at 8-under, while at 7-under in fifth place it was Kyle Bilodeau (GC of Avon)/Drew Brennan (Ellington Ridge CC).
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Four-Ball Championship 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.
