Recently in In Connecticut Category

More than 110 employees of The Hartford are at Tunxis Plantation Golf Course in Farmington for the company's annual fund-raiser to benefit U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, whose mission is to recruit and train elite athletes with physical disabilities, according to a press release from The Hartford. The fund-raiser is expected to raise more than $17,000 for U.S. Paralympics from a year ago.

 

Daniel Morgan of Central Connecticut defeated Charles Cote (Laval University) on the third playoff hole to win the individual title in the Blue Devil Invitational at Wethersfield Country Club. Morgan, a sophomore, closed with a 69 (--142). Kevin Josephson of Central tied for fourth place in the individual competition (71--143). Freshman Monte Mullin of Central tied for 10th (71--146). Central finished second in the team competition (580) behind Laval (572).

 

Carl Dzubay of Southbury scored a hole-in-one on the 153-yard, fourth hole on the white course at Tunxis Plantation Golf Course. He hit a 7-iron. Witnesses were Terry Ford, Teresa Ford and John Toth.

The Ryan T. Lee Memorial Golf Tournament will take place Frday at his home away from home, Timberlin Golf Club. Read about some positives in tribute to the former Long Island University and Berlin High School golfer in the weekly Courant golf notebook. http://cour.at/nzKeTX

Rockledge Country Club pro Rich Crowe participates this weekend in the Pan-Mass challenge in memory of his late wife Sandy. http://cour.at/qAE243

Michael Smith, 20 of West Hartford, set the Wampanoag Country Club record for the white course (6,413 yards) with an 11-under par 61 Wednesday. He had three eagles, five birdies and 10 pars. Former long-time Wampanoag pro Bob Kay owns the blue course record (6,610) with a 62.

Kyle Gallo has a new swing heading into CT Open. Read about this and the Futures Tour future n CT in The Courant's golf notebook http://cour.at/qXeOlP

Steve Baldwin hit a pitching wedge at the seventh hole at Blue Fox Run Golf Course in Avon for a hole-in-one. Witnesses were Ryan DeFoe and Michael Auletta.

 

Recent holes in one: Joesph Catalina, hitting an 8-iron, on the 151-yard fifth at Tashua Knolls in a state junior tournament; Michael Flythe, using a hybrid 5, on the 158-yard-fourth at Tunxis Plantation CC white course. Witnessed by Jim Noonan, Pete McDermat and Ted Lemay; and Justin Pagano Sr., hitting a hybrid 5, at the 177-yard eighth at Tunxis Plantation CC red. Witnesses were Maryanne Jensen, Felica Farnham and Fred Russo.

The Family Golf Challenge, a new skills challenge for families, will take place at Fairchild Wheeler Golf Course in Fairfield Saturday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The Family Golf Challenge is an amateur skills competition, featuring a putting and long-drive competition, designed to introduce more women and children (age 7-17) to the sport of golf. Families can register online at www. familygolfchallenge.com. The entry fee is $15 per competition, with $5 going to The First Tee.

Bernie D'Amato preps to defend state amateur title. Travelers has three of top five money leaders. Read more in The Courant weekly golf notebook http://cour.at/kp5IF7

Fran Marrello will make his ninth appearance at the annual PGA Tour event at TPC River Highlands. He'll tee it up with the tour pros June 23-26. Read how Marrello earned an automatic berth and more in The Courant's weekly look at local golf http://cour.at/l6a1Px

Evan Beirne could have stayed an amateur and played in the Julius Boros Challenge Cup earlier this month and defend his Russell C. Palmer Cup title next week at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury. But he passed those up to turn pro. His dream is to play on the PGA Tour. Read about Beirne, Bubba Watson talking about what holes he likes at TPC River Highlands and more by clicking http://cour.at/ls0rYZ

Marc Natrillo of Cheshire scored his first hole in one on the 165-yard 12th at the green course at Tunxis Plantation GC. He hit a 6-iron. Witnesses were Pam Stagis, Brad Billerman, and Jay Clay.

The tragic death of former Berlin High school golfer Ryan Lee has saddened the state golfing community, particularly at his home away from home, Timberlin Golf Club in Berlin.
"The Timberlin fraternity has lost a brother," Berlin High coach John Line said.
Lee, 19, was struck by a taxi cab in New York and died April 26 at Bellevue Hospital. He was member of the Long Island University golf team.
Line remembers Lee, a 2009 BHS graduate, for his golfing prowess, of course. He was a member of the 2008 Division II state title team.
But more importantly Line remembers Lee's personality. "The rides home after matches Ryan would tell stories that you'd never forget," Line said. "He socialized well with everyone he met. And he lived at Timberlin during the summers, playing golf and working on his game growing up."