Men's Golf Alums Shine at Palmer Cup, Mullen Claims Title
Former Blue Devil shoots 66 on final day to storm to top of leaderboard
Former Central Connecticut men's golfer Monte Mullen (TPC River Highlands) fired a final round score of 66 to capture the 14th Russell C. Palmer Cup on Tuesday at the Country Club of Waterbury. The tournament was hosted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. CCSU legend Dave Szewczul, one of the most accomplished golfers in state history, finished in a tie for third place.
Mullen finished with a score of 213 (+6) to win by one stroke. He shot a 69 in the first and held a share of the lead. After a second round score of 78, Mullen dropped to eight strokes behind the leader. His final round score of 66, the best round of the round and the entire tournament, included seven birdies, including three of the final four holes. He shot 30 on his final nine holes.
Szewczul was the picture of consistency in his third place finish, finishing with a score of 215 with rounds of 73, 69 and 73.
The Palmer Cup is Mullen's second CSGA title, having won the Connecticut Junior Amateur in 2010.
COURTESY OF THE CSGA
About the Tournament: Conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association, the Russell C. Palmer Cup presented by the Lincoln Motor Company is a 54-hole stroke play competition played at the Country Club of Waterbury on Monday and Tuesday, May 22nd and 23rd. Named for Russell C. Palmer, former CSGA Executive Director (1986-1995) and inductee into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame (1997), the Palmer Cup is the Connecticut Stroke Play Championship.
About the Course: The 2017 Russell C. Palmer Cup marks the ninth time that the Country Club of Waterbury has hosted the event. In addition to hosting the Palmer Cup, the CC of Waterbury has also hosted ten Connecticut Amateur Championships and the 2005 Connecticut Open Championship. The club was originally founded in 1899 and the present Championship course was designed and completed in 1929 by renowned architect Donald Ross.