The CSGA Links Volume 3 Issue 6 September 2015 | Page 27

It means a lot to me, I’ve been close in other events in the past. To win has been a goal of
mine since I came back to competitive golf a few years ago. I’m just happy to be in a situation
where I can compete, have fun and play some of the best golf of my life.

“

~ Chet Hrostek, 30th Connecticut Public Links Champion

Horvath held steady at the top. The two traded blows
early and were tied for the lead through six holes,
but when Hrostek suffered a disastrous doublebogey at the par-3 seventh, it seemed Horvath was
in control of his own destiny. He made the turn at
four under-par, two clear of Hrostek and the rest of
the field with plenty of birdie opportunities on the
back nine.

“I made a few birdies early, but unfortunately
I four-putted the seventh hole for a double bogey,”
said Hrostek. “The key was I didn’t let it bother
me. I was only one over-par on my round after that
double-bogey, and I just told myself to stick to my
game plan.”

Indeed, he did. After making the double
bogey, he refused to let another opportunity at
victory slip away. He swiftly rebounded with three
birdies in the next eight holes, thrusting himself
back into contention for the Public Links title.

After Horvath made a bogey on the par-5
16th, Hrostek found himself one stroke clear of
the field, but both players still had the reachable
par-5 finishing hole to
play. Standing on the tee,
Horvath knew he needed
to make birdie to have any
chance at the title. After
hitting his tee shot down
the middle of the narrow
18th, he knocked a 3-iron
onto the green in two
and calmly two-putted
for the birdie, moving
him to five under-par
for the tournament and
tied with Hrostek. When
Hrostek’s birdie attempt
for the win slid by, both
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players knew there was more golf to be played to
determine the champion.

The two headed back to the 18th for the first
playoff hole. Both players hit near perfect tee shots,
but after Horvath’s attempt to reach the green in
two came up short, it seemed the door was open for
Hrostek. He hit the shot of the tournament, a high,
towering 3-wood from 230 yards that finished a mere
thirty feet from the hole. After Horvath chipped
his approach to the left and his birdie attempt slid
by, two putts by Hrostek was all that was needed to
secure his first CSGA major championship.

For Hrostek, the win seemed long overdue
after a series of close calls and near misses. He was
the overnight leader at the 2013 Connecticut Public
Links Championship, but suffered a final round 76
that dropped him into a tie for fourth. He was the
medalist in the 2005 Connecticut Amateur before
losing on the Round of 16, and also advanced to the
semifinals in the 2004 Amateur. But after winning
the Danbury Amateur at Richter Park just a few
weeks ago, he had a renewed sense of confidence

Greg Horvath, Manchester Country Club

CSGA Links // September, 2015 | 27