Team Connecticut Finishes 5th at State Team Championship
T he CSGA team of Geoff Vartelas , John Flaherty and Chet Hrostek produced Connecticut ’ s best ever finish in the USGA State Team Championship , as they finished tied for fifth overall with Washington and Minnesota . Michigan claimed the title after a final round of 4-under par vaulted them to the top of the leaderboard .
Hosted this year by the Country Club of Birmingham in Alabama , the 54-hole competition is played every other year and brings together top players from Puerto Rico , Washington D . C . and all fifty states . Numerous state , regional , and USGA champions , as well as a number of past Walker Cup players populate the field .
Despite their historic accomplishment , there was a bit of disappointment for the Connecticut squad as the team held a two-shot lead over the field of 52 teams entering the final round .
“ We were tied for the lead after the first round and alone in first after the second round , so yes it is a disappointing ,’ said Vartelas , “ but I think we have a lot that we can feel good about . It was a great week and a real honor to compete for Connecticut with John and Chet .”
Vartelas was also the individual leader after shooting 68-70 , but his final round was derailed with double-bogeys at holes 8 and 10 en route to a final round 79 . Flaherty followed rounds of 72 and 71 with a 76 , and Hrostek , whose score did not count for Connecticut in the first two rounds , led the team with a 73 on Friday .
“ Geoff and John played so well the first two days , and they are both just great guys and great players ,” said Hrostek . “ I ’ m glad I was able to contribute today , and so happy to have been a part of this team . I set it as a goal for myself two years ago to make the team , and it really was a wonderful experience to represent our state on a national stage .”
Connecticut ’ s 5th place finish was the best of any of the northeastern states as Pennsylvania was tied for 8th , Massachusetts was tied for 10th , and New Jersey was tied for 15th . New York and the remaining New England states missed the cut when the field was reduced to 21 teams and ties after 36 holes .
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