The Connecticut Open is the Connecticut state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Connecticut State Golf Association. It has been played annually since 1931 (except for war years) at a variety of courses around the state. It was considered a PGA Tour event in the 1930s.

History In 1915 and 1916 there was a significant golf event entitled the Connecticut Open. The English golfer Jim Barnes won it both years. In the 1920s, there was talk of renewing the event. In 1930, an event entitled the Connecticut Open was scheduled to be hosted on September 13 and 14. The event was scheduled to be held at Shenecossett Club. However, it failed to receive "sanction" from the Connecticut Golf Association. The event was canceled by September 3. It was also reported during late 1930 that the Connecticut Golf Association was planning on sanctioning an official state open in the summer of 1931.

The first Connecticut Open sanctioned by the Connecticut Golf Association was held in 1931. Eighty players entered in the first tournament. The event was two rounds long and played over one day at Yale Golf Course. Playing against "a light rain" and "a strong, chilly wind," as reported by The New York Times, Henry Ciuci managed to score 152 to win. He defeated Jack Ryan, the assistant professional at Yale GC, by two shots. A number of players finished one shot further back to tie for third, including amateur Charles Clare. As low amateur, he earned a silver plate. Ciuci won $250 and the right to hold a Connecticut Golf Association shield for a year. For most of the early years of the Connecticut Open, however, it was the professional Johnny Golden that dominated. Golden won four consecutive tournaments from 1932 through 1935. However, in January 1936 he abruptly died of pneumonia. Later in the year, Leo Mallory, Golden's former assistant at Wee Burn, won the Connecticut Open with 283 total. It was the lowest total since the tournament switched from a two-round tournament to a four-round tournament. The following year, at Wampanoag Country Club, he won by 10 shots, another tournament record. In 1941, Jimmy Demaret, who won the Masters the previous year, won the Connecticut Open. The tournament was not held until 1946 due to World War II.

Former PGA Tour pro Mike Colandro won the event in 1986. Despite his win, he advocated some changes to the tournament. According to the Hartford Courant, shortly after his victory "he called for the sponsoring Connecticut State Golf Association to open the event to all state pros, get a sponsor and increase the $10,000 purse."

In 1997, PGA Tour player Ken Green played the event. Many were surprised to see a current PGA Tour player in the field. He explained, "I don't really want to be here, but I don't have any choice. I have a negative net worth."

Winners YearChampion(s)VenueScoreRef.2026Bradley Sawka (a)Country Club of Fairfield1962025Mike Ballo Jr.Black Hall Club2022024Jackson Roman (a)Shorehaven Golf Club2012023Brett StegmaierShuttle Meadow Country Club1982022Peter BalloNew Haven Country Club2032021Peter BalloCountry Club of Darien2012020Max TheodorakisRidgewood Country Club2062019Rasmey KongTorrington Country Club2022018John VanDerLaanNew Haven Country Club1942017Jeffrey EvanierEllington Ridge Country Club2052016Adam RainaudWoodway Country Club2062015Cody PaladinoPatterson Club2072014Frank BenselRolling Hills Country Club2032013Jeff CurlTorrington Country Club2092012Jason CaronWee Burn Country Club2142011Frank BenselBrooklawn Country Club2052010Kyle GalloCountry Club of Fairfield2002009Frank BenselHartford Golf Club2042008Jeff Hedden (a)Round Hill Club2062007Jeff CurlLake of Isles2082006Nick CookRidgewood Country Club2112005Nick CookCountry Club of Waterbury2062004Kyle GalloMill River Country Club2032003Steve SokolBlack Hall Club2092002Jim St. PierreNew Haven Country Club2032001John PaesaniGolf Club of Avon2072000Kyle GalloCountry Club of Fairfield2091999Jay Rice (a)Wee Burn Country Club2131998Kyle GalloEllington Ridge Country Club2141997Michael GilmoreRace Brook Country Club2041996Brendan WalshPatterson Club2081995John A. GentileWoodway Country Club2091994Kevin GiancolaWethersfield Country Club2071993Michael GilmoreStanwich Club2161992Ken GreenRidgewood Country Club2001991Mike ColandroBrooklawn Country Club2071990Michael DowneyWee Burn Country Club2181989John David ParsonsGolf Club of Avon2131988Kevin GiancolaWoodbridge Country Club2041987Kevin Giancola (a)Tamarack Country Club2111986Mike ColandroHartford Golf Club2151985Ken GreenNew Haven Country Club2091984Jack McConachieTumble Brook Country Club2141983Ed SaboWoodway Country Club2181982Ed SaboWethersfield Country Club2051981Ed SaboYale Golf Course2131980Doug DalzielWampanoag Country Club2051979Doug DalzielEllington Ridge Country Club2091978Mike BalloGolf Club of Avon2091977Bobby BensonRace Brook Country Club2101976Jim BeckerWoodbridge Country Club2141975Jim BeckerEllington Ridge Country Club2081974Austin StraubWee Burn Country Club2171973Dick Siderowf (a)Brooklawn Country Club2131972Paul KellyTamarack Country Club2111971Bobby BensonWethersfield Country Club2031970John Gentile Jr. (a)Hartford Golf Club2121969Mike BalloNew Haven Country Club2081968Denny LyonsWampanoag Country Club2091967Roy Pace Jr.Golf Club of Avon2101966Roy Pace Jr.Tumble Brook Country Club2161965Jerry Courville Sr.Race Brook Country Club2071964Bob KayWoodway Country Club2111963John ClearyCountry Club of Farmington2121962Bob CloughenTorrington Country Club2071961Edward KunaMill River Country Club2091960Allan BreedShennecossett Golf Course2111959Dick Siderowf (a)Shorehaven Golf Club2141958Dick Siderowf (a)Brooklawn Country Club2141957Don HoenigGolf Club of Avon2041956Don HoenigNew Haven Country Club2141955John GaleskiRidgewood Country Club2101954Ted LenczykShuttle Meadow Country Club2071953Les Brownlee (a)Wee Burn Country Club2131952Joe CurtinHartford Golf Club2091951Harry NettelbladtWethersfield Country Club2071950Harry NettelbladtWampanoag Country Club2841949Frank StaszowskiNew Haven Country Club2861948Frank StaszowskiRace Brook Country Club2771947Frank StrazzaIndian Hill Country Club2851946Felice Torza (a)Torrington Country Club2931942–45: No tournament due to World War II1941Jimmy DemaretRace Brook Country Club2801940Harold H. Mandly Jr. (a)Wampanoag Country Club2891939Harry CooperNew Haven Country Club2791938Eddie BurkeBrooklawn Country Club2871937Leo MalloryWampanoag Country Club2841936Leo MalloryShuttle Meadow Country Club2831935Johnny GoldenBrooklawn Country Club2911934Johnny GoldenNew Haven Country Club2861933Johnny GoldenShuttle Meadow Country Club2911932Johnny GoldenWampanoag Country Club1431931Henry CiuciYale Golf Course152 Source:

See also Connecticut Open (1910s event) New Haven Open

References

External links Connecticut State Golf Association