Connor Bennink sets EDGA Stroke Play record for second straight title
Connor Bennink held a healthy five-stroke lead when he began Sunday's final round of the Erie District Golf Association Stroke Play Championship.
The former Gannon star still provided drama for those who followed the action at Lawrence Park Golf Club.
His self-contained drama.
Bennink repeated as the titlist with the lowest three-round score for the tournament's current format. The Philadelphia native, who will play his senior season of college golf with Division I Coastal Carolina, ended at 15-under par 201.
No Stroke Play winner ever finished with a double-digit red number before Bennink did. His rounds of 67-65-69 obliterated the tournament record of 9-under that Austin Romeo established in 2009 and Patrick Kelly matched in 2018.
Bennink said he was unaware of his status as a Stroke Play record-holder until EDGA President Dave Hewett mentioned it during the trophy presentation.
“I said before that I'm not a scoreboard watcher," Bennink said. "I try not to focus on what anyone else is doing in any way, shape or form. But now that I'm done, it is cool in hindsight to put my name to that record and leave some kind of legacy.
“The fact I didn't know that (during the round) was probably beneficial.”
Bennink all but clinched his second consecutive Stroke Play victory and tournament scoring record with four straight birdies, and five over six holes, over his front nine. He was even at 17-under before he proved he was mortal with a double-bogey five on No. 14.
That cost him a significant chance to also set the tournament's 54-hole record for margin of victory.
Alex Weir, at 8-under 208, finished seven strokes behind Bennink. The Stroke Play's three-round record remains at 10, which was the margin Dale Loeslein (1-over) held over Dave Ciacchini (11-over) at the conclusion of the 1976 tournament.
“I don't feel like I left strokes out there (this weekend),” Bennink said. "It's basically about not making easy shots hard. Just capitalize when you can and minimize mistakes when they happen. That's the key. Aside from a couple I can think of (during Sunday's back nine), I was pretty close to maxing out my rounds.
"It's always a good confidence boost when you feel like you're in control and know you're going to be happy with the final result.”
Bennink also became the first back-to-back titlist since Ellery Tarbell won in 2005 at Downing Golf Course and in 2006 at the Kahwka Club.
Tarbell is member of the EDGA Hall of Fame's 2022 class.
Former coach's comments
Bennink was voted the PSAC men's golfer of the year for 2021-22. His play for the Golden Knights, combined with his initial Stroke Play title as an extra incentive, drew the attention of Coastal Carolina men's golf coach Jacob Wilner.
The scholarship offer by the Chanticleers, plus the chance to play golf almost year-round in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, area, left Bennink with an easy decision.
Dustin Coleman, the Gannon men's golf coach, also couldn't argue with the reasons behind Bennink's departure.
“He certainly earned his Division I scholarship because he works so tirelessly,” Coleman said. “Make no mistake, he is that good. And not just at golf, but (his) academics. When he came here, he was a pretty good golfer. But now, nothing surprises me with him.”
Bennink has no idea where he'll be this time next year. That means he also has no idea if he'll be in position to vie for an unprecedented third consecutive Stroke Play title. He would likely will need clearance from EDGA officials to be eligible.
Should Bennink get the green light, though, he has every intention of returning to northwestern Pennsylvania for the 2023 tournament.
“If they're gracious enough to have me back, I'd come back in a heartbeat,” he said. “I mean, how could you not? I had an awesome weekend and this was the highlight of my summers the past two years.
“If I can come back, I absolutely will.”
Other notable results
Weir, who also lost to Bennink in a one-hole playoff for the 2021 Stroke Play title, shot an 8-under 208 that was the lowest 54-hole score for a non-tournament winner.
Drew Deimel established the mark of 5-under in 2009 and Adrian Larsen matched it in 2019. Larsen lost a playoff to Tyler Cozad at Downing.
Bennink, Weir and Cozad (1-under 215) were three of a record seven players who finished below-par in the final standings. The record was six in 2019.
Deimel, who won the 2010 Stroke Play, finished eighth at even-par 216). Other former champs who competed were Ted Grassi III (14th at 7-over 223) and Ron Coleman (tied for 15th at 8-over 224) were other former champs who competed Sunday.
Ron Coleman, who recently retired as the Mercyhurst men's golf coach, is Dustin Coleman's father.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Connor Bennink sets EDGA Stroke Play record for second straight title
