Daniel Connolly and his father Martin with the NCGA Stroke Play trophy
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.
“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.”
ABOUT THE NCGA Stroke Play
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.
Championship play is 54 holes of
stroke play (18 holes per day). After 36 holes the
field will be cut to 40 players and ties. Pre-qualifying
required for non-
exempt players. Open to players with handicaps of
5.4 or lower.
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