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Avon’s Tyler Hahn finishes second in first CIAC State Open for golf

Avon High senior Tyler Hahn, right, finished second at the first-ever State Open tournament in boys golf. Left is Avon High coach Josh Glick.

OLD LYME, June 9 – For the first time, the best individuals in Connecticut high school golf faced off head-to-head as the CIAC hosted their first-ever State Open tournament in boys golf Saturday at Black Hall Country Club.

In previous years, the CIAC hosted four championship tournaments based on enrollment – Division I, II, III and IV – with the top three golfers, plus ties advancing to the New England tournament. Who was Connecticut’s top scholastic golfer?

On Saturday, it was decided on the course. Xavier’s Chris Forsdick won the first Connecticut individual championship with a four-under-par 67. Avon senior Tyler Hahn finished second with an even-par 71, three shots ahead of Fairfield Ludlowe’s Jack Boatwright (74).

Two other Avon golfers played in the State Open – Division II champion Michael Hanratty, who shot a 78 and tied for 10th place, and freshman Cole Hahn, who finished tied for third in Division II, with an 84.

It was the final scholastic event for Tyler Hahn, who missed out qualifying for the New England tournament with his fifth place finish at the Division II championship meet when Avon won their second straight state championship.

“I just wanted to finish strong,” Tyler Hahn said. “I always try to play my best and keep the ball in play.”

Tyler had one of his three birdie putts on his 17th hole, which put him alone in second place.

“The greens were tough to putt on. They were fast today,” he said. “I leaned on my short game a lot. I made a lot of putts and chips.”

Tyler was paired with Forsdick, Greenwich’s Jackson Fretty (76) and Darien’s Alexander Gu (78) on the course and he enjoyed the spirited level of play. “This was fun,” he said. “I really enjoyed playing with them. I am used to that competitive atmosphere.”

Forsdick was the only player to break par and Tyler was the only other player to make even par. Forsdick made seven birdies — the most of any player in the tournament.

“It was a tough golf course,” Tyler Hahn said. “It was well designed. You had to hit all of the shots in your bag. It’s an awesome golf course and it’s challenging.”

Hanratty had two birdies at the State Open but also had five bogies and a pair of double bogeys.

Hanratty and Cole Hahn will compete in the New England championships on June 20 in Keene, N.H., at Brentwood Golf Course.

2018 State Open
At Old Lyme
Individual results – 1. Chris Forsdick, Xavier, 67 on the par 71 at Black Hall CC; 2. Tyler Hahn, Avon, 71; 3. Jack Boatwright, Fairfield Ludlowe 74; 4. Jackson Fretty, Greenwich 76; 5. Luke Carroll, Conard; Matthew Chorches, Conard; Mac Mahoney, Hall; Calvin Smith, Darien 77; 10. Matthew Doyle, Hand; Alexander Gu, Darien; Michael Hanratty, Avon; William Mallek, Fairfield Prep 78

State Open results

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 40 years. He was inducted into the New England High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2018.

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