79th Connecticut Open Championship
Jeff Curl Captures 79th Connecticut Open Title
For Jeff Curl of Ellington, Conn., the road to victory was not an easy one. At the start of the ?nal round, it appeared that one of only a handful of players had a chance to catch his three shot lead. After making a triple bogey on his fourth hole of the day, Curl’s lead had evaporated. Ben Conroy of Durham, Conn. used a ?nal round 65 to post a total of seven under par before Curl had even reached the back nine. Curl courageously rebounded with four birdies to retake the lead and it appeared the tournament was his. After missing the green on #17 and making bogey, Curl blocked his tee shot right on #18. Forced to pitch out, he hit his 3rd shot to thirty feet. Needing only two putts for the victory, he left his ?rst putt ?ve feet short and missed the putt for the win. Curl suddenly found himself in a four-way playoff with Conroy, William Downes of Longmeadow, Mass. and Eric Steger of Rocky Hill, Conn. Beginning on Hole #1, Conroy, Steger and Curl all hit the green, with Downes just short in the fringe.
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This is awesome...considering the injuries and what I’ve been through, it’s incredible.
- Jeff Curl, Champion
79th Connecticut Open Championship
July 29th-31st, 2013 - Torrington Country Club Par 72 (36-36) -- 6,581 yards 1) Jeff Curl (Ellington, Conn.) - 67-67-75 - 209
**Won on First Playoff Hole
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After Conroy and Steger lagged their putts to within a few feet of the hole, it was Curl’s time to shine. With just over 35 feet left for birdie, he made the putt of the tournament. Downes was the only player left who could force another playoff hole, and after his chip slid by, Curl was the 79th Connecticut Open Champion.
T2) Ben Conroy (Durham, Conn.) - 70-74-65 - 209 T2) William Downes (Longmeadow, Mass.) - 70-68-71 - 209 T2) Eric Steger (Rocky Hill, Conn.) - 67-71-71 - 209
*Low Amateur - Jeff Hogan - 68-73-71 - 209
14 Connecticut State Golf Association