After two matches had to be postponed in its first week of the season due to poor weather, the Bunnell (Stratford) High School girls golf team finally opened its season Monday April 9 with a South-West Conference loss to Immaculate at Richter Park in Danbury.

The final score was Immaculate 279, Bunnell 304 in the season-opening match for both schools. The Bunnell players on the par-35 course were: Danka Hlinka 69, Debra Caminade 77, Kellie Taylor 77, and Sasha Kalson 81. Caminade was making her varsity golf debut; the other three Lady Bulldogs are returnees. Prior to the match, senior Taylor was named team captain. Avery Jarboe of Immaculate was medalist with 63.

Bunnell's second match was a home loss to Masuk of Monroe on April 18 at par-36 Oronoque Country Club. Bunnell cut six shots off its first score with 296 in losing to Masuk's 212. Danka Hlinka had 65, Kellie Taylor 75, Debra Caminade 77 and Sasha Kalson 79. Emma Michetti had 48 to lead Masuk.

Bunnell played Match No. 3 on April 23 in a home event with Notre Dame of Fairfield. The final score was ND 244, Bunnell 297. Danka Hlinka led shorthanded Bunnell with 61, Sasha Kalson had 77, and Kellie Taylor 78. The team had just three players. NDF was led by Katelyn Pond 45. The match continued a four-stroke reduction trend for Hlinka from the first match of the season. Also noteworthy for the Lady Bulldogs was the determined effort by junior Kalson, who had a frustrating nine holes going until she finished strong with a bogey-5 on the ninth. 

Bunnell traveled to Redding Country Club on April 26 to play Joel Barlow. Final score was Joel Barlow 221, Bunnell 303. Under normal conditions, hilly Redding CC plays long, but it was even longer after heavy rain on April 25. As a result, the Bunnell players all shot higher than normal. Scores were: Danka Hlinka 67, Debra Caminade 77, Kellie Taylor 79, and Sasha Kalson 80. Joel Barlow was led by Molly Healey's 48 on the par-36 front nine. 

Bunnell's next match is Monday April 30 on the road versus Stratford at Mill River Country Club.

Bunnell High School's core-four girls golf team.

When the weather’s not conducive for golf—at least for the majority of players—the alternative is to engulf yourself in a golf-rich environment. That’s what my foray today to the Connecticut Golf Show in Hartford was all about, and it was mission accomplished.

The show, which started Friday and concludes Sunday (doors open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. at the Connecticut Convention Center) was an energetic walk through a variety of golf-related businesses, exhibits and speakers.

The CT Golf Show has a total variety of golf services to enjoy.

The best values I found: the quick, complimentary lesson I got from Glastonbury Hills Country Club assistant pro Michael Johnson at the Connecticut PGA Section booth (he needed me to work on my weight balance at address). Professional help at a cheap “price” is hard to beat.

Also to like was the Connecticut Golf PlayBook 2018 from the Connecticut State Golf Association. The book features dozens of discounts on courses around the state and can be bought now at the 40 percent off price of $29.95.

In talking with CSGA communications director Bob Carney, he emphasized the book promotes exploration of courses around the state, and since private as well as public courses are featured, you can get to some courses you’ve been wanting to try out. And Carney points out purchase of the book benefits the CSGA and its mission. It’s best to buy the book now to make use of as many as deals as possible.

Highly intriguing to me: The New England Turf Store out of Canton, Mass., and its artificial putting greens that can be constructed. It’s tempting to want to take down my above-ground pool and install one of these!

Another major presence was GOLFTEC and its renowned instructional approach.

After a walk-through the entire hall, the exhibitors could be broken down into groups:

The state golf leaders: CSGA, Connecticut PGA Section, First Tee of Connecticut, The Travelers Championship, and the Connecticut Amateur Golf Tour. There was also the American Singles Golf Association.

Regional clubs promoting their facility: Blackledge C.C., Blue Fox Run, Crestview and Elmcrest country clubs in western Massachusetts, Crumpin-Fox Club, Farmington Woods, Fox Hopyard, Gillette Ridge, Glastonbury Hills C.C., Portland Golf Course, Tallwood C.C., Wallingford C.C., Windham C.C. in New York.  

Resort destinations: Cranwell Spa & Resort, Dominican Republic Tourism Board, Green Mountain National, Greene County in the Catskills, International Golf Tours/britanniagolf.com, Kaanapali golf courses, Lake Morey Resort, the Maine Golf Trail, the Maine Golf Trifecta (including Poland Springs), Myrtle Beach, Ocean City, Md., Ocean Edge (Cape Cod), Pocono Manor, Pa., Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, Pa., Stowe Mountain Resort, Stratton Mountain, Sugarloaf in Maine, Treetops Resort/Northern Michigan, Turning Stone Resort (five courses in Verona, N.Y.), Villa Roma Resort in the Catskills, Williamsburg, Va., Woodloch Springs, Pa. Many of these booths are offering sweepstakes to enter for free stays. Plus, there was a “Florida golf vacation” sweepstakes.

Spirits and…: Hartford Flavor Company, Litchfield Distillery, Skyy Vodka and Gina Cigar.

And to illustrate how show organizers hope variety is the spice of a show, there are chiropractic services, bracelets, financial advisors, insurance, banks, home and kitchen remodeling companies, shaving company, skin-care company, eyewear/sunglass companies, a children’s medical center, window replacement, gutter protection, cutlery, jerky, boat club, hot/cold packs…it was like one-stop shopping in a golf tent. The Crowley Auto Group had a huge presence; the most interesting was their display of custom vans for “golf on the go.”

Also peddling its discount coupon book was New England Golf Guide, and New England Golfing Magazine was there, too. Incredible equipment values were available at Chris Cote’s Golf Shop, Mike’s Golf Outlet, and Dr. Mulligan’s golf balls. You could easily outfit yourself from clubs to apparel.

But back to the pent-up golfer: Perhaps best of all, there are a few opportunities to take out winter frustration with putting, chipping, long-drive and full-swing contests. Additional swings were available at the Callaway, Cobra, Ping, Taylor Made, Titleist and Wilson club-demo areas.

Go to ctgolfshow.com for more details and admission prices.

Attendees can try a nearly 50-foot putt.

HARTFORD, Conn., March 13, 2018 – A reinvigorated Bubba Watson, who ended a victory drought earlier this year in Los Angeles at the Genesis Open with his 10th PGA Tour victory, will try to keep the good year going when he comes back to a place where he's won twice in his career. The Travelers Championship staff announced today that the Florida native has committed to play in the June 21-24 tournament, played at the popular TPC River Highlands layout in Cromwell, south of Hartford.

In addition to the two Travelers victories, Watson has also finished tied for sixth or better three other times. “Bubba is a fan favorite and seems to be in contention to win here every year,” said the championship's Tournament Director Nathan Grube. “Not only that, but off the course he has always taken a personal interest in things that are important to the tournament, whether it’s visiting The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp or supporting our charitable initiatives.”

Watson’s first PGA TOUR victory came at the 2010 Travelers Championship, when he beat Corey Pavin and Scott Verplank in a playoff. He added a second Travelers Championship title in 2015, also in a playoff, this time against Paul Casey. Watson has won the Masters tournament twice, in 2012 and 2014, the first won in memorable fashion with an escape shot on the 10th hole from the trees in a playoff with Louis Oosthuizen. Watson's victory in the Genesis Open was his third in that historic tournament at Riviera Country Club.

At the 2016 Travelers Championship, Watson made a $100,000 donation to the Bruce Edwards Foundation Benefit Dinner in support of the former Travelers Chairman Jay Fishman. The event raised more than $1.3 million for ALS research. Watson represented the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics, and he has played in three Ryder Cups (2010, 2012, 2014) and two Presidents Cups (2011, 2015).

The announcement of Watson keeps the heralded commitments coming. Previously, Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy had committed to play in the 2018 Travelers. For more information on this year’s tournament, visit TravelersChampionship.com.

Golf Digest’s The Best Courses In Every State, 2017-'18

Golf Digest's 40th Best in State course ranking, from the July 2017 issue. In 1977, Golf Digest first started ranking the best courses in each state, 11 years after the debut of its national list.

(1) The Stanwich Club, Greenwich*

(2) C.C. of Fairfield

(3) The Course at Yale, New Haven*

(4) Wee Burn C.C., Darien

(5) Tamarack C.C., Greenwich

(6) Lake of Isles G.C. (South), North Stonington

(7) Bull's Bridge G.C., South Kent

(8) Round Hill Club, Greenwich

(9) Brooklawn C.C., Fairfield

(10) Hartford G.C. (Red/Blue), West Hartford

*On America's Second 100 Greatest Golf Courses, as ranked by Golf Digest

HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 31, 2018 – Rory McIlroy commits to the 2018 Travelers Championship. That was the sweet news announced by the championship today in a press release. McIlroy, a four-time major champion with 13 PGA Tour victories, made his initial appearance at The Travelers Championship with a tie for 17th in 2017. He closed with a 64 at TPC River Highlands, his best score of the week.

“I made the comment after last year’s tournament that I would definitely be back, and I’m delighted that my 2018 schedule will allow me to do that,” McIlroy said. “I love everything about the Travelers Championship: the golf course, the positive impact it has on the community and the support we receive from the fans.”

McIlroy speaking to the media prior to the 2017 Travelers.

McIlroy has become one of the biggest draws in golf. After a remarkable amateur career, he turned professional in 2007 and has since won 22 tournaments around the world, including the 2011 U.S. Open, 2014 Open Championship and the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship. He will attempt to complete the career Grand Slam at this year’s Masters. McIlroy was named PGA Tour Player of the Year in 2012 and 2014, and in 2016 he won the season-long FedExCup points title.

McIlroy, a 28-year-old from Northern Ireland, has held the world’s No. 1 ranking for 95 weeks, and is currently ranked No. 8.

“We loved having Rory play in last year’s Travelers Championship, and we’re so thankful and excited that he’s decided to come back,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers. “Rory had so many wonderful things to say about his experience, especially when it came to the fans. I know they’ll be rooting for him to have another great week this June.”

The 2018 Travelers Championship will be held June 18-24 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. The tournament website is TravelersChampionship.com.

Golf Digest’s The Best Teachers In Your State 2017-2018

(As ranked by their peers, from Golf Digest November 2017)

CONNECTICUT

1.) Suzy Whaley, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell

2.) George Connor, Farmington Woods Golf Club, Avon

3.) Paul Ramee, Bull's Bridge Golf Club, South Kent

4.) Kammy Maxfeldt, Birchwood C.C., Westport

5.) Ken Doyle, Hop Meadow C.C., Simsbury

6.) Dave Bove, Tashua Knolls G. Cse., Trumbull

7.) Chet Dunlop, Burlington Golf Center

8.) Mike Summa, Stanwich Club, Greenwich

9.) Jessica Carafiello, Innis Arden Golf Club, Old Greenwich

10.) Ron Beck, Fox Hopyard Golf Club, East Haddam

11.) Tom Henderson, Round Hill Club, Greenwich

12.) John Nowobilski, Tallwood C.C., Hebron

13.) Brian Hussey, Rock Ridge C.C., Newtown

14.) John Vitale, GolfTEC, West Hartford

15.) David Pianki, Tower Ridge C.C., Simsbury

PGA Tour

June 21-24, The Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, recipient of the tour's Tournament of the Year Award for 2017.

2018 Connecticut State Golf Association Championships (tentative) (For more information on the events, go to www.csgalinks.org and click on the 2018 Championship Schedule link on the home page.)

April 30, Two Man Team Championship, Black Hall Club, Old Lyme

May 3, 47th Julius Boros Challenge Cup, New Haven Country Club, Hamden

May 21 & 22, 15th Russell C. Palmer Cup, Country Club of Farmington

May 29 & 30, 20th Connecticut Women's Open, Innis Arden Golf Club, Old Greenwich

June 4-8, 116th Connecticut Amateur Championship, Country Club of Waterbury

July 9-12, 77th Connecticut Junior Amateur, Watertown Golf Club

July 24, 81st Mixed Team Championship, Torrington Country Club

July 25, PGA-CSGA Junior Four-Ball Championship, Keney Park Golf Course, Windsor

July 26, 78th Four-Ball Championship, The Course at Yale, New Haven

July 30-August 1, 84th Connecticut Open Championship, New Haven Country Club, Hamden

August 6, 22nd Super Senior Championship, Simsbury Farms Golf Course

August 27 & 28, 31st Connecticut Mid-Amateur, Richter Park Golf Course, Danbury

September 4, 13th Tournament of Champions, Bull's Bridge Golf Club, South Kent

September 10, 22nd Jerry Courville, Sr. Memorial, Shorehaven Golf Club, Norwalk

October 1 & 2, 73rd Connecticut Senior Amateur, Shorehaven Golf Club, Norwalk

October 16 & 17, 85th Tri-State Matches, Oyster Harbors Club (MA)

USGA Qualifying Schedule in Connecticut (tentative)

May 7, 118th U.S. Open (LQR), Great River Golf Club, Milford

July 23, 118th U.S. Amateur, Redding Country Club

July 25, 64th U.S. Senior Amateur, Fairview Farm Golf Course, Harwinton

August 9, 38th U.S. Mid-Amateur, Hop Meadow Country Club, Simsbury

2018 New England Golf Association Schedule (tentative)

July 17-19, 89th New England Amateur, Portland (Maine) Country Club

August 12-14, New England Junior Invitational, Longmeadow (Mass.) Country Club

September 18-19, 21st New England Senior Amateur Championship, Burlington (VT) Country Club