Curran Claims His Fourth SGC Mens Invitational Championship

STAMFORD – It took two extra holes to determine which Ryan would win Sunday's championship round of the 87th Stamford Golf Club Men's Invitational Tournament. Ryan Curran prevailed over Ryan Sluiter, to hold his fourth championship trophy.

The two were tied after 18 holes and had to replay the 18th hole twice to see who would win. "My second shot went under a tree and between two roots, so I really didn't have a shot," said Sluiter. "Ryan Curran had a great shot."

Sluiter has qualified for the championship round for the past eight or nine years, but this was his first championship final. "I had him two up after 11 holes, then he won 12, 13, and 14 to go one up after I missed a short putt for a birdie on 15. Sluiter won the 17th and 18th hole to even it and send it into the playoff. I got into trouble on the second playoff hole. I needed to figure out how to make par and I didn't. It was a great match."

Those in the gallery agreed it was a great match to watch.  

It is Ryan Curran's fourth trophy at the SGC, who has been playing in the tournament for a number of years. "The only year I missed was the Covid year and I've been coming up here for 27 or 28 years. A lot of us met in college on Long Island and its always a wonderful tournament." Of course, it's even sweeter when you win. "It is a good match when you win. It's our favorite week of the year to come here and have fun."

Profession Golf Association (PGA) Director of Golf Mike Bell now has his first invitational behind him. The tournament has been taking place since 1929. "It was a tough week with the rain and I appreciate everyone's patience. We did as good as we could do under the circumstances."

The circumstances were tropical storm Betty which brought heavy downpours at times on Friday and cancelled the qualifying round. The storm took out power and despite that, they barbecued in the dark as and used handicaps to seed the players for the first round that was played on Saturday. Saturday dawned sunny and dry. All but the seniors played two rounds on Saturday, with the final rounds on Sunday morning and the championship in the afternoon.

Bell thanked the grounds crew and Joe Lambert for getting the course in good shape.

This year's tournament honored the late Jim Lamport, of Hobart, a longtime club member and avid golfer. His son, Tom Lamport said his dad loved coming up to the golf course and playing in the tournaments. He said that was going to be the hard part, playing without him. Tom, Jimmy, and Luke, his three sons, all played in the tournament. He said they will continue to be involved and thanked everyone on behalf of the Lamport family.

Curran defeated Dave Madore, Paul DeFeo, and John Beczak to earn his championship spot, while Sluiter defeated Josh Tienken, Jake Geiger, and Carey Trappenburg.

Complete Tournament results were: as follows:

Championship Flight - Ryan Curran over Ryan Sluiter

First Flight - Ed Cleary over Luke Lamport

Second Flight - Lee Swenson over Ed Geiger

Third Flight - John Cammer over Duncan Axtell

Seniors - John Ciccone over Vern Barnes (19 holes)

Beatens

First Flight- Kurt Swenson

Second Flight - Jim Lamport

Third Flight - Luke Lamport

Seniors - Mike Faulkner