Connecticut PGA Championship

The Connecticut PGA Championship is a golf tournament that is a championship of the Connecticut section of the PGA of America. 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.

History

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. The following year George Siebert won the event defeating Peter Manning, who was also runner-up the previous year, in a playoff.

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. The following year, as defending champion, he was considered to be the favorite. However, it was Willie Hunter who took the lead after the first three rounds. He led by four over Turnesa entering the final round. 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.

It was later decided that the tournament would be moved up a couple months earlier, in August. 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. The following year, in 1937, the tournament took a "radical departure" and changed its format to match play. In May 1941, however, the Connecticut PGA decided to return to a medal play format.

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. The following year, Burke led the qualifiers while Nettelbladt finished second. 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. Two years later, in the finals, Burke "set an all time record" defeating Frank Staszowski 12 & 11.

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. 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. 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.

In the early 1960s, there were some changes. In 1961, the tournament returned to medal play. 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".

Winners

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Notes

External links