Daniel Connolly wins NCGA Amateur Stroke Play title

July 18, 2021 | by Northern California Golf Association

Daniel Connolly and his father Martin with the NCGA Stroke Play trophy

San Francisco resident cards final round 67 at Poppy Hills to earn second NCGA Stroke Play title

Daniel Connolly returned to the last place where he tasted victory and got to experience it all over again.

Connolly, a 24-year-old resident of San Francisco, shot a final-round 4-under 67 Sunday at Poppy Hills to come in at 9-under 204 and win the NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship by four shots over runner-up Kevin Huff.

For Connolly, the win is his first since the Southern Methodist University standout has won the 2017 Amateur Stroke Play Championship.

“It feels really good to get another win. It’s been a while,” said Connolly, who won his hometown event, the San Francisco City, in 2016. “I felt the competitive juices going again over the last few holes.”

Having entered the final round tied with mid-amateur Marc Engellenner, Connolly for the third straight day was solid. He’d post a back-nine 32 to break away from both Huff and Engellenner. Huff finished at 208 after a final round 69, while Engellenner had a 72 to come in at 209.

On the par-5 holes Nos. 4, 9 and 18, Connolly would go 9-under over his three rounds. The par-5 10th was the holdout. There, he’d go two-over thanks to a first-round double-bogey. He also bogeyed No.11 in the first round, making him 3-over through two to start the 54-hole event.

Back to the Future: San Francisco's Daniel Connolly returned to the NCGA Amateur Stroke Play Championship and walked away a winner, as he did in 2017 https://t.co/799lWgM8E4 pic.twitter.com/3VtNq2W533
— NCGA (@ncga1901) July 18, 2021

“Other than that two-hole start, I played really solid each day,” said Connolly, who at least for now plans to keep his amateur status. “On my approach shots, I was really dialed in. Overall, I just played some really good golf through and through.”

As was the case in 2017, Connolly also had some good company with him. His father, Martin, who owns and runs Johnny Foley’s Irish House pub in The City, was again on the bag as caddie.

“It’s so awesome having him with me,” the younger Connolly said. “It’s just special. We have so many great memories over the years. Having him on the bag just makes it that much more extra special.”

Results: NCGA Stroke Play

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Daniel Connolly	San Francisco, CA	350	68-69-67=204
2	Kevin Huff	El Dorado Hills, CA	230	69-70-69=208
3	Marc Engellenner	Rocklin, CA	140	69-68-72=209
T4	Robert Funk	Canyon Lake, CA	140	74-70-67=211
T4	Mikey Slesinski	Fremont, CA	140	68-72-71=211

View full results for NCGA Stroke Play

About the NCGA Stroke Play

Daniel Connolly wins NCGA Amateur Stroke Play title

First played in 1944, the NCGA Stroke Play Championship has a special history, as the tournament has been won by the likes of Ken Venturi and Johnny Miller. The sterling silver perpetual trophy was donated by the San Francisco Examiner in 1944. Champ...