The CSGA Links Volume 3 Issue 6 September 2015 | Page 42
EVENTS
The Return of the Brooklawn Invitational
I
n an era when so many clubs and golf courses
are working hard to find ways to bring more
people into the game, Brooklawn Country
Club is rolling back the clock in its own way.
The Brooklawn Invitational was a premiere
two-man event from the early 1920’s up until
1941. It was discontinued due to World War II
and was never resumed – until now. On October 2
Brooklawn will revive the Invitational with a oneday, 36-hole, competition. Two-man teams will play
the first 18 at Four-Ball, the second in Foursomes
(alternate shot).
“We’re excited to bring the Invitational
back,” says Bill Wallace, tournament chair. “And we
think the format, incorporating both better ball and
alternate shot will be both unique and exciting.”
Why revive a tournament that has
not been played in over 70 years? Competition
and giving back, tend to be in the club’s blood.
Brooklawn is the only club in Connecticut to have
hosted four USGA Championships – the 1974
42 | CSGA Links // September, 2015
U.S. Junior Amateur, 1979 U.S. Women’s Open,
1987 U.S. Senior Open and 2003 U.S. Girls Junior
Championship. And Brooklawn has regularly
produced players who have participated in national
competitions.
“The membership has always embraced
that idea that great golf is inspiring to watch and
something that should be supported,” says Wallace.
“We also love the idea of gathering some of the
best players in the region. The Invitational did that
way back when, and we want to do that again.”
It’s also an opportunity for the club to
showcase recent renovations to an A.W. Tillinghast
design dating back to 1895, a course long
considered one of the fairest, and sturdiest in the
state. Under the guidance of Tillinghast expert Ron
Forse, the layout has been lengthened, greens have
been expanded to their original configurations,
and bunkering “postponed” due to the Great
Depression has been incorporated.
“We’ve always had a layout that’s been fun
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