Adam D’Amario Wins National Car Rental Assistant Connecticut PGA Championship in Playoff

Jason Gobleck Leads in the Senior Connecticut PGA Championship

SIMSBURY, Conn. (August 30, 2022) – Hop Meadow Country Club’s back-to-back par 5s on holes No. 17 and 18 proved pivotal for the outcome of the 60th Assistant Connecticut PGA Championship yesterday.

Adam D’Amario of Indian Hill Country Club was playing in the final group and tied for the lead with CJ Konkowski of Hartford Golf Club. Both were 3-under par for the 36-hole championship with one hole to play.

One shot behind were Matt Kiehle of Longmeadow (Mass.) Country Club and Andy Stock of Ridgewood Country Club.

Konkowski, Kiehle, and Stock were playing in the second to last 3-some ahead of D’Amario.

Stock bogeyed hole 17 to fall to 1-under for the championship. He had a putt for eagle on hole 18 after reaching the green in two shots. That putt slid by, and he settled for birdie to get back to 2-under par.

Meanwhile, Konkowski played hole 18 conservatively, laying up with his second shot. His third shot approach ended up on the front of the green. He left his first putt short and unfortunately missed his 5-footer for par and he dropped back down to 2-under par for the championship.

Kiehle hit a beautiful chip shot for his third that left him just two feet for birdie which he made to finish the championship at 3-under par.

Although D’Amario said he didn’t know where he stood for the championship, he made par on his final hole, tying him with Kiehle at the end of regulation.

D’Amario and Kiehle went back to hole 18 for the sudden death playoff. D’Amario landed his second shot hole high just off the putting surface. Kiehle was blocked out for his second and was forced to play towards an adjacent hole to have a clear approach for his third. His ball ended in a divot, and he left his approach short and failed to get up and in for par. D’Amario safely made par to secure the victory.

D’Amario has played in nearly every Section Assistant Championship in the past 12 years. His best finish prior to this was third. And this marked the second Connecticut Section PGA member championship win for D’Amario. He won the Connecticut Section PGA Professional Championship 11 years ago in 2011.

“It’s nice to get the win,” said D’Amario. “And, not be the bridesmaids again.”

The consolation for Kiehle is that he earned the second qualifying spot and will join D’Amario at the National Car Rental PGA National Assistant Championship, on November 17-20, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. This will be the fourth appearance at the national championship for D’Amario and the first for Kiehle.

The National Car Rental Assistant Championship is sponsored by Srixon, Cleveland Golf, XXIO, and Asics, with support from the PGA TOUR.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

While the Assistant Professional Championship was conducted over 36-holes yesterday, the 71st Senior Connecticut PGA Championship completed round one, and the final round is underway today.

Defending Champion Jason Gobleck of the Golf Center at Lyman Orchards leads after firing a 2-under par 70. He is followed closely by 10 other professionals who are within four strokes of his lead.

Jeff DelRosso of Prospect Golf shot 71 and is one stroke back. Bob Bigonette (H. Smith Richardson GC), Billy Downes (GREATHORSE), and Rick Fleury (PGA Life Member) all shot par 72s.

Final round got underway at 8:00 AM with the leaders going off at 9:30 AM.

The Senior Championship which is presented by Cadillac and supported by the Golf Channel and PGA TOUR.

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