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 YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of victoryRunner(s)-upVenueRef.2026Christopher Tallman145 +34 strokesBrian KeiserBlack Hall Club2025Kyle Gallo142−22 strokesChristopher TallmanWampanoag Country Club2024Adam Rainaud140−22 strokesTerry SlaterBlack Hall Club2023Andrew Svoboda137−53 strokesCorey HarrisCC of Farmington2022Geoff Gelderman146 +4PlayoffAdam D'AmarioBlack Hall Club2021Brian Keiser143 −12 strokesWilliam StreetWampanoag Country Club2020Brian Keiser140E1 strokeChristopher TallmanWintonbury Hills Golf Club2019Christopher Tallman133 −77 strokesFrank Leja, Joe Mentz, Zac Stennett, William Street, Aaron UngvarskyKeney Park Golf Club2018Adam Rainaud132 −83 strokesMarc BayramKeney Park Golf Club2017Kyle Bilodeau133 −72 strokesBilly DownesKeney Park Golf Club2016Adam Rainaud135 −52 strokesFran MarelloKeney Park Golf Club2015Kevin Giancola211 −21 strokeAdam RainaudWethersfield Country Club2014Adam Rainaud135 −73 strokesFran MarelloOrchards Golf Club2013Kyle Bilodeau142 −22 strokesBilly DownesMohegan Sun Golf Course2012Tony Kelley214PlayoffKyle BilodeauEllington Ridge Country Club2011Kevin Giancola221PlayoffTony Kelley, Fran MarrelloBlack Hall Club2010Kevin Giancola209Frank Leja JrLyman Orchards Golf Club - RTJ2009Fran Marrello2084 strokesTony Kelley, Bob KayWethersfield Country Club2008Kevin Giancola2072 strokesTony KelleyWampanoag Country Club2007Ian Marshall2163 strokesJack McConachieEllington Ridge Country Club2006Jim St. Pierre2079 strokesKevin GiancolaLongmeadow Country Club2005Mike Carney2133 strokesDavid DellRace Brook Country Club2004Tom Gleeton208PlayoffTim Gavronski, Kevin Giancola, Tony KelleyCountry Club of Waterbury2003Kevin Giancola211PlayoffFred Kolakowski, Wayne LealNew Haven Country Club2002Suzy Whaley2112 strokesBob MuchaEllington Ridge Country Club2001Fran Marrello2152 strokesJohn PaesaniBlack Hall Club2000Tony Kelley2112 strokesJohn PaesaniHartford Golf Club1999Bill Mackedon2131 strokeTom GleetonWethersfield Country Club1998Mike Martin215PlayoffJoe CordaniWampanoag Country Club1997John Paesani2161 strokeMike Carney, Tony KelleyEllington Ridge Country Club1996Tony Kelley217PlayoffFran MarrelloEllington Ridge Country Club1995Allan Menne2154 strokesJohn Paesani, Dave Cook, Mike CarneyEllington Ridge Country Club1994Dennis Coscina218PlayoffFran MarrelloEllington Ridge Country Club1993John Paesani2094 strokesDennis CoscinaEllington Ridge Country Club1992Stan McLennan2185 strokesMike Carney, Fred Kolakowski, John PaesaniEllington Ridge Country Club1991John Paesani2191 strokeLarry Demers, Allan MenneEllington Ridge Country Club1990Kris Smith2171 strokeTony KelleyEllington Ridge Country Club1989Tony Kelley2182 strokesJohn PaesaniEllington Ridge Country Club1988Tony Kelley1471 strokeMike BaileyEllington Ridge Country Club1987Doug Dalziel214PlayoffPaul RyizEllington Ridge Country Club1986Doug Dalziel2151 strokeMike GrigelyRichter Park Golf Course1985Dennis Coscina2136 strokesPaul RyizTPC at Connecticut1984Donald Hoenig2183 strokesPaul Ryiz, Ralph DeNicoloManchester Country Club1983Dennis Coscina2165 strokesDoug DalzielWoodbridge Country Club1982Jack McConachie215PlayoffEd RubisThe Golf Club of Avon1981Doug Dalziel2117 strokesDan DiRicoThe Farms Country Club1980Dennis Coscina2073 strokesChuck LasherCliffside Country Club1979Dennis Coscina1392 strokesJack McConachieEllington Ridge Country Club1978Dennis Coscina2163 strokesJohn CowanHop Meadow Country Club1977Bob Kay2191 strokeRay HowellBrooklawn Country Club1976Dennis Coscina2127 strokesDon ParsonTumble Brook Country Club1975Dennis Coscina2136 strokesDon HoenigHartford Golf Club1974Ed Rubis218Dick StranahanBlack Hall Club1973Al Fuchs2162 strokesDick StranahanWallingford Country Club1972Ed Rubis2201 strokeRay Howell, Dennis Coscina, Frank Guerrara, Chuck Lasher, Tony ClecakEllington Ridge Country Club1971Dick Stranahan2133 strokesEd RubisCountry Club of Fairfield1970Ray Howell2094 strokesDick StranahanLongmeadow Country Club1969Don Headings2151 strokeDick StranahanBrooklawn Country Club1968Stan Stanszowski213Dick StranahanThe Orchards Golf Club1967Dick Stranahan2145 strokesChet WojackEllington Ridge Country Club1966John McGoldrick2143 strokesWally Cichon, Billy SalvatoreBrooklawn Country Club1965Ed Rubis2193 strokesLarry McCue, Al LabutisOak Lane Country Club1964Ed Rubis2201 strokeLarry McCueHop Meadow Country Club1963Bob Kay2116 strokesEddie KunaWampanoag Country Club1962Roger Horton2164 strokesEd RubisEllington Ridge Country Club1961Ed Rubis2194 strokesHarry Nettelbladt, Frank StaszowskiCrestview Country Club1960Bob Kay1 upEddie BurkeTorrington Country Club1959Bob Kay4 & 3Leo ChizinskiTorrington Country Club1958Al Labutis3 & 1Bob SchappaThe Country Club1957Bob Bodington10 & 9John GaleskiThe Country Club1956Bob Kay5 & 4Al LubutisShennecossett Golf Course1955Vic Panciera3 & 2Willie HunterShennecossett Golf Course1954Harry Nettebladt4 & 3Willie WhalenNorwich Golf Club1953Bob Kay2 & 1Eddie BurkeIndian Hill Country Club1952Frank Kringle4 & 2Harry BontempoNorwich Golf Club1951George Buck4 & 3Wally CichonNorwich Golf Club1950Eddie Burke12 & 11Frank StaszowskiWethersfield Country Club1949Del Kinney3 & 2Wally CichonNorwich Golf Club1948Eddie Burke38th holeHarry NettelbladtRockledge Country Club1947Harry Nettebladt1442 strokesStan StaszowskiNorwich Golf Club1946Eddie Burke1411 strokeHarry NettelbladtWampanoag Country Club1945Eddie Burke1444 strokesJ.J. "Bud" GeogheganAvon Golf Club1942−1944: No tournament due to World War II1941Hubert Hunsick1404 strokesWillie Hunter, Stan StarzecIndian Hill Country Club1940Eddie Burke9 & 8Ken ReidWoodbridge Country Club1939Ralph Greenwood5 & 4Paul BellIndian Hill Country Club1938Hubert Hunsick2&1Willie HunterIndian Hill Country Club1937Waldo Martin3&2Jack PerkinsIndian Hill Country Club1936Joe Turnesa299PlayoffWillie WhalenTorrington Country Club1935Joe Turnesa145−15 strokesHerb ArmstrongRockledge Country Club1934George Hunter1474 strokesWillie WhalenThe Country Club1933Gene Kunes1484 strokesGraham ReidThe Country Club1932Jack Perkins1491 strokeEddie LundCountry Club of Waterbury1931Gene Kunes154Charles NicollIndian Hill (Sequin) Country Club1930George Siebert149PlayoffPeter ManningIndian Hill (Sequin) Country Club1929Maurice Kearney1572 strokesPeter Manning, Alex SimpsonWampanoag Country Club Source:

Notes

References

External links PGA of America – Connecticut section Connecticut PGA Championship