C.J. Konkowski Wins National Car Rental Assistant Connecticut PGA Championship at Crumpin-Fox

C.J. Konkowski Wins National Car Rental Assistant Connecticut PGA Championship at Crumpin-Fox

Geno Giancola finishes runner up and along with Konkowski qualifies for the national Assistant PGA Championship

BERNARDSTON, Mass. (August 30, 2023) – C.J. Konkowski birdied his final two holes on Monday at Crumpin-Fox Club to overtake Geno Giancola and win the 61st Assistant Connecticut PGA Championship.

Konkowski, the Assistant professional at Hartford Golf Club, shot rounds of 71 and 69 to finish at 140 and 4-under par for the championship. Giancola, the Timberlin Golf Course assistant professional, was one shot behind with rounds of 72 and 66.

Konkowski was one shot behind Giancola after hole 14 of the final round. The reigning Connecticut Section PGA champion however birdied the par 3 15th hole to draw even. But then Konkowski must have felt that he gave the championship away when he double bogied the par 4 16th hole. That gave Giancola a one-stroke lead with two holes to play.

Konkowski rose to the occasion and birdied holes 17 and 18 where Giancola managed pars. “You never know what’s going on in the other groups but when you see one guy who’s close to you making putts then it kind of motivates you.”

Konkowski highlights those final moments on hole 18, “Geno gave me a little pep talk, he said “Alright let’s make a couple birdies here and we’ll figure it out later.” So, he hit a nice shot in, and we were about the same distance, his just burned the edge. The putter was working really well today, especially in the second round. It just felt like it was going to go in, I just wanted to get the pace right and give it a chance.”

With Konkowski’s victory and Giancola’s runner up finish, both qualify for the 47th National Car Rental PGA of America Assistant Championship, on November 16-19, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla

First round leaders Andy Stock (69-73-142 T3, Ridgewood C.C.), Terry Slater (69-73-142 T3, Race Brook C.C.), and Kyle Gallo (69-75-144 5th, Full Circle Golf) rounded out the top 5 and all scored par or better for the championship.