Fabio Silvagni
(Photo Courtesy of Hearst Connecticut Media)

STAMFORD, CT (September 18, 2016) -- A fantastic finish highlighted the drama at Sunday’s final round of the 2016 Stamford Amateur Golf Championship at E. Gaynor Brennan golf course.

Fabio Silvagni rallied from three strokes back with two holes to play to capture the Men’s Championship title.

Tony Tedesco, a veteran of the annual city tournament who began the day two shots from the lead, was four-under-par on the round standing on the tee of the 440-yard, par-5 17th hole.

Then the golfing gods intervened as Tedesco’s drive to the right landed between two rocks. Tedesco finished the 17th with a double bogey.

Meanwhile, Silvagni — who had played college golf at Babson College — reached the 17th green in two and birdied, tying the match.

On the 373-yard, par-4 18th hole, Silvagni fashioned a par while Tedesco bogied to capture the Men’s Championship Crystal Vase.

“I played well. I really putted well all day,” Tedesco said. “It was a good match with an unfortunate finish.”

For Silvagni, his first time playing in the Stamford Amateur was a charm.

“I had played a lot of good golf during this year. The greens were in great shape. I just hung in,” Silvagni said. “Tony (Tedesco, even-par 71) played lights out all afternoon. I’m still in shock a bit. I felt I had to shoot a number (one-under-par 70; 146 total) to win and it worked out.”

In the women’s championship, the four competitors — Tina Siebert (170), Trinity Catholic High School senior Sydney Bardsley (172), Jeanette Chagaris (173) and Jen Kaplan (173) — finished within three strokes of each other.

“It came down to the last hole. It was an exciting battle,” Siebert said. “The competition was so good. My chip-in for birdie on No. 17 was the key.”

In the Women’s Handicap division, first round leader Patana Iamkrasin had a final round 73 for a 144 total and eight-shot triumph.

“I started slow but calmed down and settled in,” Iamkrasin said. “I love playing golf and having fun on the course is the key.”

In the Men’s Seniors division, first round leader Mark Vassalotti (160) fashioned a six-stroke victory.

“I had an eight on the (par-4) 8th hole. After that, I settled down and gutted it out,” said Vassalotti, who has two wins and two runnerup finishes in four years in the Seniors Division.

In the Men’s Handicap A division, first round co-leader Matt Ruberg shot an 80 for a 163 total. He was two shots ahead of Justin Valenti, who had a final round 77.

“I played my game and kept grinding,” Ruberg said. “I love to compete. My game all summer was trending well. But this is the best.”

In the Men’s Handicap B division, Brian Stunkel (85-168 total) posted a one-shot win over Joshua Mandel and Skip Wells.

-Hearst Connecticut Media