FIRST TROPHY EVENT OF THE SEASON - TWO-MAN BEST BALL CHAMPIONSHIP!
 
The first trophy event of the season happens this weekend with the 36-hole, 2-man best ball championship. Defending champs John Sawka and Andrew Coats, along with Ron Brower and J. Dion on the net side, are looking to repeat. There's an 18-hole companion event on both days for those who can't get out for the 2-day trophy event.

MATCH PLAY QUALIFYING UPDATE
 
Over the past weeks, 77 individuals and 46, 2-man teams had the dream of being a 2012 Topstone Men’s Club Match Play Champion at the end of the season. For 64 individuals and 32 teams that dream remains intact. During that time 144 qualifying rounds were played on South Windsor’s hallowed grounds. Many by repeat entrants, hoping to ensure their place in the field.
 
In the Team Event, defending champions Rick Labruna and Jim Simmons will lead the way as the top seed. The teams of Kevin Evans/Peter Pires and Alan Goodman/George Shaw were the medalists of qualifying shooting a 12-under 60 to edge Maselli/Shilosky and Dion/Chernik by 2 shots. On the flip side, the cut line was at 68 (-4).  7 teams were tied at that number for the final spot. McCann/McCann took the 32nd seed based on USGA tiebreaking protocol.  
 
On the Individual side, Mark Sokolski will look to defend his 2011 title this year. A cut was necessary for Individual field for the first time since the early days of the club. There were 4 men at 6-over (78) for the final 3 spots.  Men’s Club President, Al Cusson, Daniel McCann and Chris McFarlane were fortunate enough to qualify in those last 3 spots. Olaf Tonnessen fired an 8-under par 64 in his qualifying round to lead the way as the Individual Medalist.  
 
The brackets will be distributed to all participants later this week and first round matches will be due by the end of May. So don’t hesitate in reaching out to your opponent to get thing started!
Good luck to those of you moving on to match play!
 
 
CSGA and USGA tournament update:

Topstone Men’s Club Member John Sawka qualified for the CSGA’s 9th Russell C. Palmer Cup on Monday at the Mill River Country Club qualifier. Sawka shot 78 (+8) at the Stratford club, where stiff winds and treacherous greens wreaked havoc on much of the 135 man field. The Palmer Cup, considered Connecticut’s Annual Stroke Play Championship is a 54 hole stroke play event that will be played on May 21-22 at the County Club of Waterbury. Russell C. Palmer, for whom the Championship is named, is a Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame member and a former Executive Director of the Connecticut State Golf Association.

Member-Guest survey question results

I'd like to thank those of you who took a moment to respond to last month's member-guest survey question. All of the feedback we received, positive and negative, pointed out the challenges that we as a membership must reconcile when considering such an event. Sadly, it does not appear that there is a strong enough desire to pursue this any further at this time. Any thoughts? We're open. Hit Jared up with your ideas.