Happy 75th to the Conn. Section PGA

Tuesday, 20 May 2008

It is a year-long celebration for the 75th anniversary of the Connecticut Section PGA, but the actual anniversary for the section is this month.

On Tuesday, an official ceremony will take place at Ann Howard At The Bond in Hartford. PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb will be among the luminaries on hand to celebrate the anniversary.

“We are celebrating the accomplishments of our predecessors and what our current leadership is doing now to help make sure the future of the game is safe and secure,” Connecticut Section Executive Director Tom Hantke said. According to Hantke, the Connecticut Section received its charter in May of 1933 at the same Bond Hotel. Frank Selva, the longtime head pro at Race Brook Country Club in Orange, said they were trying to break away from the New England PGA at the time.

“This is the continuation of what those gentlemen started,” Selva said. “With such a small section, people thought we would go down by the wayside and not get support. But through the years, we’ve developed closer relationships with one another.”

The Connecticut Section is comprised of all state clubs, except most of those that reside in Fairfield County, and clubs from Western Massachusetts. That includes 192 courses and 364 PGA professionals.

The event is being held in coordination with the Walter Lowell Tournament. Named after the current honorary life president, the tournament will be held at the Hartford GC later in the afternoon.

Hantke said the planning, especially the financial part of it, began five years ago. A retracing of the section’s history is completely detailed in this year’s member services handbook. The organization’s website (www.ctpga.com) will put up a new historical photo and explanation every couple of weeks.

At various tournaments throughout the season, including ones involving junior golfers, Hantke will show brief DVD selections to highlight the history of the section.

“We will utilize existing platforms to tell the story of 75 years,” Hantke said. “Retracing our history has been fun to learn about it and discover things that no one has ever captured.”

Said Selva: “We are recognized throughout the country for our Play Golf America Day and our other promotions for junior golf, women’s golf and for our inner-city program. That is what is all about, guys getting together to make the game better.”

The Play Golf America Day has been held in May the last two years. But because rain has interrupted the day each time, the section decided to move it to June. It will be held June 17 at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, two days before the start of the Travelers Championship.

Many of the section professionals will be on hand at the new 22-acre driving range to give free lessons. Spectators can also take part in activities and try new equipment.

“(Travelers Tournament Director) Nathan Grube deserves a lot of credit (for bringing the event to River Highlands),” Hantke said. “Our goal is to reach as many people as we can. The old driving range would not allow for as much fan interaction. The head pros will be able to get away from their facilities a little easier on a Tuesday as opposed to a Saturday in May.”

This is also the 20th anniversary that the section and the Connecticut Section and the Connecticut State Golf Association moved together in the same “Golf House” in Rocky Hill.

bCHARGER CLASSIC

The 18th annual Charger Classic, put on by the University of New Haven, will be held June 9 at Woodbridge CC. The entry fee is $300, which includes greens fees, cart, lunch, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner and team prizes.

But the unique part of this tournament is the “Kohler Raffle,” which offers a 1 in 300 chance at a four-person trip to Kohler, Wis. The $100 will give those an opportunity for four rounds of golf for each person at Kohler’s four championship courses designed by Pete Dye, a three-night stay at The American Club, a golf clinic, cart or caddie fees, depending on the course, a golf lesson and unlimited use of the practice facilities.

To purchase a raffle ticket, call the New Haven Athletic office at (203) 932-7016.

CONNECTICUT WOMEN’S OPEN

Sue Ginter will return to defend her title at the 10th annual Connecticut Women’s Open next Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tumble Brook CC in Bloomfield.

Ginter, who plays out of Rolling Hills CC in Wilton, won by 4 shots last year. She will tee off at 8:30 a.m.

Also playing are reigning Connecticut Amateur champion Natalie Sheary (9 a.m.), who tied for seventh past year, Lisa Fern-Boros of the Highland Club in Shelton (8:40), Lynda Milligan of Madison CC (10:20) and Chawwase Rompothong from the Course at Yale (11:40).

In addition to Ginter, only three other women have won this event: Tammy Lohren-Thomas (1999), Suzy Whaley (2000- 02) and Liz Janangelo (2003-06).

Joe Morelli can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it