September 28 - 30 ~ Country Club of Birmingham (Alabama)
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 54hole 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 little 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 over the final 18 holes.
“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.
50 / CONNECTICUT STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION / 2016 ANNUAL