O'Connor Claims His Third Stamford Invitational Golf Title

By Liz Page

STAMFORD – Austin O'Connor has been making the trip to Stamford to play in the annual Stamford Golf Club Men's Invitational Golf Tournament for two decades and this year he picked up his third championship title. It had special meaning this year because, he said, "I won it for Skip Heath."

Heath passed away recently and O'Connor started playing in the tournament due to his friendship with Heath's son, Chris Heath. The two are college buddies.

O'Connor had back to back wins in 2021 and 2022, playing both championships against "Duffy" Mulford. Mulford worked his way up through the beatens this year.

O'Connor defeated Matt Moyse in 20 holes for this year's big silver cup. "Matt Moyse is a great competitor," said O'Connor, who loves coming to the Stamford course each year. "It's such a beautiful place to play and the course is very challenging."

He asked for a moment of silence in memory of Skip Heath. He thanked the grounds crew and staff for making it another enjoyable tournament.

The course was in good shape and the weather was ideal. There wasn't a drop of rain over the three-day tournament.

The honoree of the 88th Invitational was Kurt Swenson, who has played in 50 invitationals. Club member Mark Archibald grilled Swenson a little bit, saying he couldn't possibly be old enough to play in 50 invitationals because when Archibald was a Little League coach, Swenson was his shortstop. "We can't be this old," said Archibald jokingly. "Mostly," he said. "Swenson is being honored and the reason we are here is because he is a hell of a man."

Eric Swenson, Kurt’s brother, then took over where Archibald left off, saying his brother has played in 50 invitationals, despite the fact he left Stamford 46 years ago. He has continued to travel back from Ithaca, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida or wherever he was every year to play in the tournament. "It demonstrates his loyalty and love for this tournament.”

He said his brother believes in his family, staying fit, being loyal to his friends, hard work and golf. “What you see is what you get. He is not fake or phony. He just loves to return to Stamford to compete in this tournament," said his brother.

Swenson has won the tournament six times, has finished runner up seven times and has an unknown number of beaten wins. He has won the championship in each decade, including the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s.

Kurt Swenson said he was shocked to see his name when he received his invitation to the tournament this year. "I'm not dead yet," he joked. "I've still got this thought that when I was a kid, I would look at my grandparents and think I'm never going to be that old." However, he said the older he gets the better he used to be and it's always fun to return to see the many friends here, friends who are great competitors in the tournament.

Mike Bell, the PGA director of golf at the SGC, said he had a long list of people to thank "for making this a great day."He apologized if he missed anyone. He started with Joe Lambert, groundskeeper for having the course in great shape. Bell's team also included Janet Marnane, Ricky Gabriel, Nicole Hitchcock, Robin VanValkenburgh, Greg Funck, Jon Barber, Kurt Swenson, Grant Swenson, Pete Schaaf, Sadie and Dawn and their team at Peppercorn on the Hill, Nikkie Brandt, Govy Govern and the staff in the pro shop, including Heather, Mary, Jacey and Kara. Linda Swenson stepped in to help with the awards.

Justin Harris picked up medalist honors from Friday's opening round with a 69 in a playoff and was not present for the awards ceremony

Complete results were, as follows:

Championship Flight - Austin O'Connor over Matt Moyse

A Flight - John Beczak over Ed Cleary Jr.

B Flight - Joe Lambert over Grant Swenson

C Flight - Rich Beck over Denny Cruz

Senior Flight - Dr. Jim Peters

Austin O'Connor, of Syracuse, holds the James Schouller Award, his third championship win in the annual Stamford Golf Club Men's Invitational Tournament.

Winners of the 88th annual Stamford Golf Club Men's Invitational Tournament are, from left: Rich Beck, C Flight; John Beczak, A Flight and Austin O'Connor, champion. Absent was B Flight winner Joe Lambert and senior Flight winner Jim Peters.