It feels great, there’s really nothing like winning your state open. I haven’t had a great
track record at this event before, so for me to come out here, play well and stick with my game
plan really feels great. This win makes me feel like I’ve done something really special with my
golf career and I can’t wait for it to continue.
“
to force a playoff, but it was tough just to get it close
to the hole. I hit it up high and when it started to
come backwards, I knew it had a chance. Even when
I was in the pIayoff, I still couldn’t believe it went
in.”
The three-hole aggregate playoff began on
#10, and Evanier quickly took control, making a
twenty-foot birdie on #10 while Thresher made
par and Theodorakis made bogey. After missing the
green on the par-3 17th and hitting his pitch shot
to a modest fifteen feet, he responded once again,
rolling in his par putt to maintain a one shot lead.
With both Thresher and Theodorakis struggling for
par on the 18th, Evanier needed just two putts on
the final green to seal the victory.
Evanier is hoping that he can carry the
momentum of his Connecticut Open victory
through a busy summer and fall schedule. He plans
on returning to South America for the second half
of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica’s season, and will
also be playing PGA Tour Qualifying School this
fall.
Three-time Connecticut Open Champion
Frank Bensel nearly joined the trio in the playoff,
but was unable to convert an up-and-down on the
final hole and finished in 4th place, just one stroke
back at ten under-par. Pete Ballo of Woodway CC
and Blake Morris of CC of Waterbury rounded
out the top-5, shooting tournament totals of nine
under-par.
Theodorakis may have come up just short
of his quest for the Open Championship, but his
runner-up finish earned him low amateur honors.
Theodorakis’ eleven under-par total included a
course record-tying 64 on Tuesday, which catapulted
him up the leaderboard and into contention. A
total of nine amateurs made the cut, with Rasmey
Kong (Eclub of Connecticut), Andrew Sciarretta
(Brooklawn CC) and Adam Friedman (Birchwood
CC) all finishing inside the top-20.
83rd Connecticut Open Championship
July 31 - August 2 - Ellington Ridge Country Club (P ar 72)
Champion: Jeffrey Evanier, Clinton CC 67-67-71--205
T-2nd: Jason Thresher, West Suffield, Conn. 70-68-67--205
Max Theodorakis (a), Ridgewood CC 70-64-71--205
4th: Frank Bensel, Century CC 67-68-71--206
T-5th: Pete Ballo, Woodway CC 69-69-69--207
Blake Morris, CC of Waterbury 70-67-70--207
T-7th: Geoff Vartelas, TPC River Highlands 70-71-68--209
CJ Swift, TPC River Highlands 68-72-69--209
Eric Dietrich, Farms CC 69-67-73--209
» Click here for Full Results
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