Deep Field Of Golfers Set To Tee Off In 90th Connecticut Open
NORWALK, CT — Celebrating a century of top-notch golf with breathtaking views of Long Island Sound, Shorehaven Golf Club is set to host the 90th Connecticut Open, bringing together more than 140 of the best players in the area on July 29 through 31.
Hosting the event for the first time since 1959, the 6,550-yard par-71 layout designed by Willie Park Jr. and Robert White will welcome a deep field of 147 competitors, including 14 past champions, led by 2023 winner Brett Stegmaier.
“Shorehaven has a rich history with the Connecticut State Golf Association,” head professional Mike Laganza said. “We have had some really good players come out of Shorehaven, including Jerry Courville Sr., Tommy McDonough Sr., Tommy McDonough Jr., and Cameron Wilson. There is a lot of pride here, and we really want to showcase our club. We are very proud of our golf course and the condition it is in.”
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“I think the biggest challenge is twofold,” Laganza said. “We are right on the water, so if the wind picks up, the course can play very, very difficult. But the biggest challenge will be the greens. They are firm and fast, and depending on where you are, if you are above the hole, there are some hole locations you might not be able to stop it on the green.”
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Last year, Stegmaier rallied in the final round to earn his first Connecticut Open title at Shuttle Meadow Country Club in Kensington.
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“I had been playing really well last summer,” Stegmaier said. “I Mondayed for a couple of PGA Tour events and played well. I wasn’t really playing great the couple of weeks leading into the Connecticut Open. I was kind of searching. But the win at Shuttle Meadow culminated a really good summer. It was nice to get a big win under my belt.”
Stegmaier, who has played regularly on the PGA and Korn Ferry tours, will now be looking to defend on a course he is seeing for the first time.
“I’m coming up a little early to kind of hang around my home club, New Haven Country Club, and I will definitely play a practice round at Shorehaven,” he said. “Like most Connecticut courses, it will be about play around the greens. I haven’t had a chance too often throughout my career to defend a title, so I am definitely excited for it.”
The tournament begins Monday at 7 a.m., with the second round to follow on Tuesday. After 36 holes, the top 50 players and ties will make the cut and advance to Wednesday’s final round.
Tee Times
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 147
Past Champions (14): Brett Stegmaier (2023), Peter Ballo (2021, 2022), Max Theodorakis (2020), Rasmey Kong (2019), Adam Rainaud (2016), Cody Paladino (2015), Frank Bensel (2009, 2011, 2014), Jeff Curl (2007, 2013), Kyle Gallo (1998, 2000, 2o04, 2010), Nick Cook (2005, 2006), Michael Gilmore (1993, 1997), Ken Green (1985, 1992), Jack McConachie (1984), Jim Becker (1975, 1976)
Players to Watch:
Mike Ballo Jr. – The 2019 Met PGA New York State Open winner at Bethpage Black has made a run at the Connecticut Open on numerous occasions but has never hoisted the trophy. In 2022 he was seventh, in 2018 he finished T4, and in 2016 he was T2. Earlier this year he won the POLO Met PGA Head Professional Championship.
Peter Ballo – The 2021 and 2022 winner nearly won a third straight title last year before settling for a T4 finish.
Chris Fosdick – The two-time Connecticut Amateur winner recently graduated from the University of Virginia and is beginning his professional career. Fosdick won his first Connecticut Amateur title in 2020 at Shorehaven GC.
Kyle Gallo – With a record-tying four Connecticut Open titles Gallo is always a threat.
Ken Green – The 1985 and 1992 winner and former PGA Tour player returns to the Connecticut Open this year. Green won five times on the PGA Tour, reached No. 15 in the World Golf Rankings, and was a member of the 1989 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Michael Miller – The two-time New York State Open winner will make his Connecticut Open debut this year. A decorated player, Miller has played in the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club while also playing in 70 Korn Ferry Tour events. A winner of the 2022 Woodstock Open, Miller took fourth at the 2023 Colorado State Open.
Cody Paladino (a) – The low amateur each of the last two years, Paladino won the Russell C. Palmer Cup in May. Last year Paladino shot a 7 under 64 in the final round of the Connecticut Open and finished T4.
David Pastore – The 2023 Massachusetts Open winner was part of the story all week long last year at Shuttle Meadow CC before finishing in second place. Last week he finished runner-up at the Bromont Open on the PGA Tour Americas.
Austin Perkins (a) – The 2024 Connecticut Amateur winner will be paired with defending champion Brett Stegmaier and two-time Connecticut Amateur winner Chris Fosdick.
Casey Pyne – A consistent name atop the leaderboard in recent years, Pyne finished T4 last year. In 2022 Pyne played in the PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club.
Brett Stegmaier – The defending champion will be among the favorites once again this year. In June Stegmaier was T3 at the Massachusetts Open.
Andrew Svoboda – Set to make his second appearance in the Connecticut Open, Svoboda has played in both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship this year. Svoboda has won three times on the Korn Ferry Tour and he played on the PGA Tour in 2015 and 2016.
Max Theodorakis – The 2020 Connecticut Open winner at Ridgewood Country Club has added two top-five finishes at the Connecticut Open since his victory. In 2021 he finished T2 at the Massachusetts Open.
Brad Tilley (a) – One of the best mid-amateur players in the country, Tilley earned 2022 MGA Player of the Year honors. In 2022 Tilley won four times capturing the Mittlemark Invitational, Westchester Open, Met Amateur, and The Farrell. Tilley has also reached match play at the U.S. Mid-Amateur three times since 2017. In 2017 Tilley earned medalist honors and reached the quarterfinals. Tilley is also a two-time medalist winner at the Connecticut Amateur including in 2020 at Shorehaven GC.
Jason Thresher – The 2024 New Hampshire Open winner returns to the Connecticut Open where he seemingly always plays well. A three-time winner of the Massachusetts Open Thresher finished third last year at the Connecticut Open, T2 in 2023, and T4 in 2019. Thresher also won the New England Open in 2019.
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