The Connecticut PGA Open Starts Next Week
Gillette Ridge to host a diverse field of 96 men, seniors, and women for the inaugural 36-hole stroke play championship conducted by the Connecticut Section, PGA of America
BLOOMFIELD, Conn. (August 12, 2021) – At this time last year, the Connecticut Section of the PGA of America was prepared to launch the inaugural Connecticut PGA Open.
Instead, the Section hit the pause button, knowing that introducing this new golf championship for professionals and amateurs in a pandemic season posed both challenges and obstacles.
Fast forward, the wait is over.
Next Monday, a diverse field of 96 men, seniors, and women will tee it up at the Gillette Ridge Golf Club for round one of the 36-stroke play championship that is designed to be a uniquely inclusive competition.
Whereas a separate set of tees will be used for the three divisions consisting of men under the age 50; men 50 and over; and women, the championship trophy will be claimed by the one that posts the lowest score. But the players within their division will only be competing against one another for the professional prize money and amateur golf shop credit.
In all there are 75 professionals and 21 amateurs entered, including 7 women among them. The majority, or 58, are from Connecticut. However, a total of 9 states are represented.
Among those that will be vying for the overall title as well as for prizes within their respective divisions, are a former Connecticut Women’s Open champion and four former Connecticut Open Champions: Jordan Lintz, Jim Becker, Kyle Gallo, Adam Rainaud, and Max Theodorakis.
Also, Fran Marrello, who has recorded 24 Connecticut PGA Section individual championship titles will be looking to make it 25.
And, don’t overlook Brian Keiser who won back to back Connecticut PGA Championships in 2020 and 2021; and Chris Tallman, the reigning Connecticut PGA Player of the Year and the 2020 Connecticut PGA Professional Champion. Both will figure prominently, as will Charlie Blanchard who won the Connecticut Senior Open title last month.
All competitors will play 36 holes. They’ll be competing for $19,000 in prizes which will be awarded by 36-total place finish within their respective divisions.
The Connecticut PGA Open is supported and sponsored in part by the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour.
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Field of Competitors
Marie Allo, Newington, CT
Michael Allo, Newington, CT
Emil Altobello, Westfield, MA
Michael Argentine, Bethel, CT
Kevin Ausserlechner, West Harrison, NY
John-Paul Avenoso, Newington, CT
Fletcher Babcock, Danielson, CT
Alexander Bardani, Easton, CT
Jim Becker, Bloomfield, CT
Charlie Blanchard, Warwick, RI
Johnny Bush, Cranford, NJ
Jay Card, Shelter Island, NY
Riley Carey, Glastonbury, CT
Joseph Carlone, Torrington, CT
Austin Cilley, Westerly, RI
David Cook, Middlefield, CT
Adam D’Amario, West Hartford, CT
Conor Deasy, West Hartford, CT
Andrew Deforest, Cottekill, NY
Ron Dellostritto, Branford, CT
Nicholas Dilio, Poughkeepsie, NY
Steven DiLisio, Swampscott, MA
Tyler Florio, Killingworth, CT
Andra Frappier, Cheshire, CT
Kyle Gallo, Berlin, CT
Isaac Gatewood, Torrington, CT
Benjamin Gershenov, Stamford, CT
Geno Giancola, Plantsville, CT
Mike Gillette, Plainville, CT
Jason Gobleck, Madison, CT
Josh Goldenberg, Scarsdale, NY
Jordan Gosler, Manchester, CT
Michael Gramelis, West Haven, CT
Timothy Hegarty, Briarcliff Manor, NY
John Herbert, New York, NY
Edward Hilario, Willimantic, CT
David James, Hanover, MA
Kerry Johnston, Indio, CA
Glen Kallinich, Madison, CT
Brian Keiser, Longmeadow, MA
Donald Kirkpatrick, West Hartford, CT
Charles Konkowski, West Chesterfield, NH
Cameron Kratovil, Monson, MA
Philip Krick, Groton, CT
Jae Kwon, Little Ferry, NJ
Shamus Landers, Marlborough, MA
Mercedese Large, West Hartford, CT
Kyle Leeds, Riverside, CT
Jordan Lintz, Milford, CT
Frank Lonardo, Kings Park, NY
Jason Loomis, Norwalk, CT
Brad Lusenhop, Waterbury, CT
James MacKenzie, Newton, MA
Kevin Mahaffy, Southington, CT
Fran Marrello, Plymouth, CT
Michael Martin, Ansonia, CT
Alec Martinez, Orland Park, IL
Sadie Martinez, Hartford, CT
Bart McCarthy, Ludlow, MA
Mike McCarthy, Berlin, CT
Joseph Mentz, Rockville, CT
John Nowobilski, Manchester, CT
Jonathan Pannone, Warwick, RI
Paul Pastore, Stamford, CT
Michael Patrizzi, Norwalk, CT
Ted Perez, Westfield, MA
Ronnie Pfaefflin, Winsted, CT
Alexander Phibbs, Avon, CT
Noah Pilipski, New York, NY
Robert Powell, Hartford, CT
Adam Rainaud, New Canaan, CT
Jo Rasmussen, Westport, CT
Timothy Rosenhouse, Dix Hills, NY
Daniel Simons, West Cornwall, CT
Matthew Smith, Hamden, CT
Jake Socha, Ludlow, MA
Sathscia Sowinkong, Newington, CT
Uttdom Sowinkong, Newington, CT
Matthew Stein, Hampden, MA
Zachary Stennett, Amston, CT
William Street, Shelton, CT
Christopher Tallman, Holyoke, MA
Max Theodorakis, Danbury, CT
Ian Thimble, Hyde Park, MA
William Thornton, Lake Worth, FL
Bryan Truszkowski, Manalapan, NJ
Charles Vigilante, New York, NY
William Wallis, New Haven, CT
Clancy Waugh, North Palm Beach, FL
Ian Wilson, Poughkeepise, NY
Ian Wivestad, Watertown, CT
Jan Wivestad, Watertown, CT
Dan Woodbury, Sutton, MA
Arnold Wright, Redding, CT
David Wright, Belchertown, MA
Randy Zingo, Fairfield, CT