The CSGA Links Volume 2 Issue 2 April, 2014 | Page 17

Return of the Wethersfield Invitational For the first time since 1967, Wethersfield Country Club will welcome the area’s finest golfers for a tworound team championship on October 17th and 18th, 2014. The tournament will consist of two rounds of Gross Championship Competition on a course in peak condition. Invitations will go out beginning July 1st, and interested players may e-mail Tournament Chairman Billy McDonald at: [email protected]. The Wethersfield Invitation Tournament that was played from 1938 until 1967 was regarded in the state as “the one to win” because the field included the best amateurs from New England and New York state as well as a few others. Notable winners included Dick Chapman, Bob Grant, Felice Torza, Ernie Gerardi, Holly Mandly, Jr., Dick Siderowf, Don Hoenig, Allan Breed, Jim Grant, Red Smith, and Bill Brew. A particularly notable three-time winner was Ray Billows, seven-time New York state Amateur Champion, three-time US Amateur Finalist, and two-time Walker Cup team member among other honors. Significant players who failed to win the Invitation Tournament included Frank Stranahan, Ted Bishop (US Amateur Champion in 1940), Paul Harney (MA amateur champion and later PGA Tour member), Fred Kask (four-time CT Amateur Champion), Charlie Clare (CT Amateur and Open champion), and Jerry Courville, Sr. Then and Now: The 18th Hole at Wethersfield during the 1977 Insurance City Open (Above-Right) and present day (Below-Right). Connecticut State Golf Association 17