The Connecticut PGA Championship is a golf tournament that is a championship of the Connecticut section of the PGA of America.[1] The early years of the tournament were dominated by Gene Kunes and Joe Turnesa who won twice apiece. In the mid-1930s, a number of significant changes were made, including adding two rounds to the tournament and then changing the format to match play. In the mid-20th century the tournament was dominated by Eddie Burke and Bob Kay. During this era, both won the tournament five times each though Kay defeated Burke in both of their finals matches. In modern times, the tournament is best known for the 2002 victory of Suzy Whaley, the only female to win the event.
The first tournament was in 1929. Late in the day, the clubhouse leaders entered a playoff to determine the championship. Unbeknownst to them, Maurice Kearney was still on the course with a chance to win. While he was on the 18th hole, he notified the players in the playoff, who were playing on the first hole, that he had a chance to win outright. Kearney did indeed win outright and "the playoff" was terminated.[2] The following year George Siebert won the event defeating Peter Manning, who was also runner-up the previous year, in a playoff.[3]
In the early 1930s, the tournament was dominated by Gene Kunes and Joe Turnesa. Kunes won the tournament in 1931 and 1933. In 1935, Turnesa was the "leader most of the way" and ultimately won by five shots. His final total was 145, one-under-par, to break the tournament record.[4] The following year, as defending champion, he was considered to be the favorite.[5] However, it was Willie Hunter who took the lead after the first three rounds. He led by four over Turnesa entering the final round.[6] However, in the final round Turnesa birdied the first two holes and the tournament suddenly "cracked wide open" when Hunter triple-bogeyed the par-5 5th hole. Hunter continued to struggle and Turnesa expanded his lead. Despite bogeys on the final four holes Turnesa won easily.[7]
It was later decided that the tournament would be moved up a couple months earlier, in August.[8] In April 1936, the Connecticut Section PGA made a number of changes. The "most important decision," according to The Hartford Courant, was to extend the Connecticut PGA Championship to 72 holes.[9] The following year, in 1937, the tournament took a "radical departure" and changed its format to match play.[10] In May 1941, however, the Connecticut PGA decided to return to a medal play format.[11]
In the late 1940s, the tournament was dominated by Eddie Burke and Harry Nettelbladt. Burke won the tournament in 1945 and 1946. In 1947, Harry Nettelbladt scored rounds of 73 and 71 to win.[12] The following year, Burke led the qualifiers while Nettelbladt finished second.[13] Both players made it to the finals. In the morning round of the finals, Burke "coasted" with a 71 (−2) to take a 5 up lead. During the afternoon round, however, Nettelbladt produced a "sensational performance," ultimately scoring a 65 (−8) and tying the match. After halving the first extra hole, however, Nettelbladt took four shots to reach the green of the par-4 38th hole. He made bogey to lose to Burke.[14] Two years later, in the finals, Burke "set an all time record" defeating Frank Staszowski 12 & 11.[15]
In the 1950s, the tournament was dominated by Bob Kay, a professional at Wampanoag Country Club. In 1953, he made it to the finals. Kay took a 5 up lead in the morning round however Burke tied him during the afternoon's back nine. Kay, however, won the 15th and 16th holes to secure the match and championship. He won 2 & 1.[16] Kay won the tournament again in 1956 and 1959. In 1960, Kay qualified for the finals but was expected "to face tough going" against Eddie Burke.[17] It was the second time they met in the finals, the first in seven years. Both were intending to win their fourth title. Kay "got off to a strong start" and took a 6 up lead after only 8 holes. Over the course of the rest of the match, however, Burke "slowly but surely whittled Kay's lead down." Entering the final hole of regulation, he was only 1 down. However, Burke failed to make the green in regulation and conceded the hole. Kay won 1 up.[18]
In the early 1960s, there were some changes. In 1961, the tournament returned to medal play.[19] The following year the tournament returned to Connecticut after having been held in Massachusetts the previous year.
Some controversy exists regarding the winner of the 2002 Championship, Suzy Whaley. By winning the Connecticut PGA that year, she became the first woman in 58 years to qualify for a PGA event, the Greater Hartford Open. The controversy had to do with the fact that she was allowed to play the course off tees 699 yards shorter than the men she competed against. This discrepancy has since been addressed by the PGA with what's commonly called the "Whaley Rule".[20]
| Year | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up | Venue | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Andrew Svoboda | 137 | −5 | 3 strokes | Corey Harris | CC of Farmington | ||
| 2022 | Geoff Gelderman | 146 | +4 | Playoff | Adam D'Amario | Black Hall Club | [21] | |
| 2021 | Brian Keiser | 143 | −1 | 2 strokes | William Street | Wampanoag Country Club | [22] | |
| 2020 | Brian Keiser | 140 | E | 1 stroke | Christopher Tallman | Wintonbury Hills Golf Club | [23] | |
| 2019 | Christopher Tallman | 133 | −7 | 7 strokes | Aaron Ungvarsky | Keney Park Golf Club | [24] | |
| 2018 | Adam Rainaud | 132 | −8 | 3 strokes | Marc Bayram | Keney Park Golf Club | [25] | |
| 2017 | Kyle Bilodeau | 133 | −7 | 2 strokes | Billy Downes | Keney Park Golf Club | [26] | |
| 2016 | Adam Rainaud | 135 | −5 | 2 strokes | Fran Marello | Keney Park Golf Club | [27] | |
| 2015 | Kevin Giancola | 211 | −2 | 1 stroke | Adam Rainaud | Wethersfield Country Club | [28] | |
| 2014 | Adam Rainaud | 135 | −7 | 3 strokes | Fran Marello | Orchards Golf Club | [29] | |
| 2013 | Kyle Bilodeau | 142 | −2 | 2 strokes | Billy Downes | Mohegan Sun Golf Course | [30] | |
| 2012 | Tony Kelley | 214 | Playoff | Kyle Bilodeau | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 2011 | Kevin Giancola | 221 | Playoff | Tony Kelley, Fran Marrello | Black Hall Club | |||
| 2010 | Kevin Giancola | 209 | Frank Leja Jr | Lyman Orchards Golf Club - RTJ | ||||
| 2009 | Fran Marrello | 208 | 4 strokes | Tony Kelley, Bob Kay | Wethersfield Country Club | |||
| 2008 | Kevin Giancola | 207 | 2 strokes | Tony Kelley | Wampanoag Country Club | |||
| 2007 | Ian Marshall | 216 | 3 strokes | Jack McConachie | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 2006 | Jim St. Pierre | 207 | 9 strokes | Kevin Giancola | Longmeadow Country Club | |||
| 2005 | Mike Carney | 213 | 3 strokes | David Dell | Race Brook Country Club | |||
| 2004 | Tom Gleeton | 208 | Playoff | Tim Gavronski, Kevin Giancola, Tony Kelley | Country Club of Waterbury | |||
| 2003 | Kevin Giancola | 211 | Playoff | Fred Kolakowski, Wayne Leal | New Haven Country Club | |||
| 2002 | Suzy Whaley | 211 | 2 strokes | Bob Mucha | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 2001 | Fran Marrello | 215 | 2 strokes | John Paesani | Black Hall Club | |||
| 2000 | Tony Kelley | 211 | 2 strokes | John Paesani | Hartford Golf Club | |||
| 1999 | Bill Mackedon | 213 | 1 stroke | Tom Gleeton | Wethersfield Country Club | |||
| 1998 | Mike Martin | 215 | Playoff | Joe Cordani | Wampanoag Country Club | |||
| 1997 | John Paesani | 216 | 1 stroke | Mike Carney, Tony Kelley | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1996 | Tony Kelley | 217 | Playoff | Fran Marrello | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1995 | Allan Menne | 215 | 4 strokes | John Paesani, Dave Cook, Mike Carney | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1994 | Dennis Coscina | 218 | Playoff | Fran Marrello | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1993 | John Paesani | 209 | 4 strokes | Dennis Coscina | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1992 | Stan McLennan | 218 | 5 strokes | Mike Carney, Fred Kolakowski, John Paesani | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1991 | John Paesani | 219 | 1 stroke | Larry Demers, Allan Menne | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1990 | Kris Smith | 217 | 1 stroke | Tony Kelley | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1989 | Tony Kelley | 218 | 2 strokes | John Paesani | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1988 | Tony Kelley | 147 | 1 stroke | Mike Bailey | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1987 | Doug Dalziel | 214 | Playoff | Paul Ryiz | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1986 | Doug Dalziel | 215 | 1 stroke | Mike Grigely | Richter Park Golf Course | |||
| 1985 | Dennis Coscina | 213 | 6 strokes | Paul Ryiz | TPC at Connecticut | |||
| 1984 | Donald Hoenig | 218 | 3 strokes | Paul Ryiz, Ralph DeNicolo | Manchester Country Club | |||
| 1983 | Dennis Coscina | 216 | 5 strokes | Doug Dalziel | Woodbridge Country Club | |||
| 1982 | Jack McConachie | 215 | Playoff | Ed Rubis | The Golf Club of Avon | |||
| 1981 | Doug Dalziel | 211 | 7 strokes | Dan DiRico | The Farms Country Club | |||
| 1980 | Dennis Coscina | 207 | 3 strokes | Chuck Lasher | Cliffside Country Club | |||
| 1979 | Dennis Coscina | 139 | 2 strokes | Jack McConachie | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1978 | Dennis Coscina | 216 | 3 strokes | John Cowan | Hop Meadow Country Club | |||
| 1977 | Bob Kay | 219 | 1 stroke | Ray Howell | Brooklawn Country Club | |||
| 1976 | Dennis Coscina | 212 | 7 strokes | Don Parson | Tumble Brook Country Club | |||
| 1975 | Dennis Coscina | 213 | 6 strokes | Don Hoenig | Hartford Golf Club | |||
| 1974 | Ed Rubis | 218 | Dick Stranahan | Black Hall Club | ||||
| 1973 | Al Fuchs | 216 | 2 strokes | Dick Stranahan | Wallingford Country Club | |||
| 1972 | Ed Rubis | 220 | 1 stroke | Ray Howell, Dennis Coscina, Frank Guerrara, Chuck Lasher, Tony Clecak | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1971 | Dick Stranahan | 213 | 3 strokes | Ed Rubis | Country Club of Fairfield | [31] | ||
| 1970 | Ray Howell | 209 | 4 strokes | Dick Stranahan | Longmeadow Country Club | [32] | ||
| 1969 | Don Headings | 215 | 1 stroke | Dick Stranahan | Brooklawn Country Club | |||
| 1968 | Stan Stanszowski | 213 | Dick Stranahan | The Orchards Golf Club | ||||
| 1967 | Dick Stranahan | 214 | 5 strokes | Chet Wojack | Ellington Ridge Country Club | [33] | ||
| 1966 | John McGoldrick | 214 | 3 strokes | Wally Cichon, Billy Salvatore | Brooklawn Country Club | [34] | ||
| 1965 | Ed Rubis | 219 | 3 strokes | Larry McCue, Al Labutis | Oak Lane Country Club | [35] | ||
| 1964 | Ed Rubis | 220 | 1 stroke | Larry McCue | Hop Meadow Country Club | [36] | ||
| 1963 | Bob Kay | 211 | 6 strokes | Eddie Kuna | Wampanoag Country Club | [37] | ||
| 1962 | Roger Horton | 216 | 4 strokes | Ed Rubis | Ellington Ridge Country Club | |||
| 1961 | Ed Rubis | 219 | 4 strokes | Harry Nettelbladt, Frank Staszowski | Crestview Country Club | [38] | ||
| 1960 | Bob Kay | 1 up | Eddie Burke | Torrington Country Club | [39] | |||
| 1959 | Bob Kay | 4 & 3 | Leo Chizinski | Torrington Country Club | ||||
| 1958 | Al Labutis | 3 & 1 | Bob Schappa | The Country Club | ||||
| 1957 | Bob Bodington | 10 & 9 | John Galeski | The Country Club | [40] | |||
| 1956 | Bob Kay | 5 & 4 | Al Lubutis | Shennecossett Golf Course | ||||
| 1955 | Vic Panciera | 3 & 2 | Willie Hunter | Shennecossett Golf Course | [41] | |||
| 1954 | Harry Nettebladt | 4 & 3 | Willie Whalen | Norwich Golf Club | [42] | |||
| 1953 | Bob Kay | 2 & 1 | Eddie Burke | Indian Hill Country Club | [43] | |||
| 1952 | Frank Kringle | 4 & 2 | Harry Bontempo | Norwich Golf Club | ||||
| 1951 | George Buck | 4 & 3 | Wally Cichon | Norwich Golf Club | [44] | |||
| 1950 | Eddie Burke | 12 & 11 | Frank Staszowski | Wethersfield Country Club | [45] | |||
| 1949 | Del Kinney | 3 & 2 | Wally Cichon | Norwich Golf Club | [46] | |||
| 1948 | Eddie Burke | 38th hole | Harry Nettelbladt | Rockledge Country Club | [47] | |||
| 1947 | Harry Nettebladt | 144 | 2 strokes | Stan Staszowski | Norwich Golf Club | [48] | ||
| 1946 | Eddie Burke | 141 | 1 stroke | Harry Nettelbladt | Wampanoag Country Club | |||
| 1945 | Eddie Burke | 144 | 4 strokes | J.J. "Bud" Geoghegan | Avon Golf Club | |||
| 1942-44 | Cancelled due to World War II | |||||||
| 1941 | Hubert Hunsick | 140 | 4 strokes | Willie Hunter, Stan Starzec | Indian Hill Country Club | [49] | ||
| 1940 | Eddie Burke | 9 & 8 | Ken Reid | Woodbridge Country Club | [50] | |||
| 1939 | Ralph Greenwood | 5 & 4 | Paul Bell | Indian Hill Country Club | [51] | |||
| 1938 | Hubert Hunsick | 2&1 | Willie Hunter | Indian Hill Country Club | [52] | |||
| 1937 | Waldo Martin | 3&2 | Jack Perkins | Indian Hill Country Club | [53] | |||
| 1936 | Joe Turnesa | 299 | Playoff | Willie Whalen | Torrington Country Club | [54] | ||
| 1935 | Joe Turnesa | 145 | −1 | 5 strokes | Herb Armstrong | Rockledge Country Club | [55] | |
| 1934 | George Hunter | 147 | 4 strokes | Willie Whalen | The Country Club | [56] | ||
| 1933 | Gene Kunes | 148 | 4 strokes | Graham Reid | The Country Club | |||
| 1932 | Jack Perkins | 149 | 1 stroke | Eddie Lund | Country Club of Waterbury | |||
| 1931 | Gene Kunes | 154 | Charles Nicoll | Indian Hill (Sequin) Country Club | ||||
| 1930 | George Siebert | 149 | Playoff | Peter Manning | Indian Hill (Sequin) Country Club | |||
| 1929 | Maurice Kearney | 157 | 2 strokes | Peter Manning, Alex Simpson | Wampanoag Country Club |