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Bensel Takes Top Prize at 77th Connecticut Open

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Frank Bensel won his second Connecticut Open Wednesday on the strength of his consistency. Playing what he called "one of my favorite courses," the Danbury resident ruled the narrow fairways of Fairfield's Brooklawn Country Club in the final two rounds. After sputtering out of the gate on the first nine holes, Bensel shot at a 10-under pace on the final 45 to win the 77th open with an 8-under 205.

"I knew if I shot even today it probably wouldn't be enough," he said. "If you miss [the fairway] by 10 yards at this course, you're chipping out. You just have to hit your fairways and greens here."

Bensel made his move on the second day of the tournament, staking out a two-stroke lead with a three-under 68. He birdied the first and fourth holes of the final round and played conservatively from there. A two-under day was good enough to take home the $10,000 purse. His wife, Linda, and young son Hagen greeted him with hugs to cap off the victory.

"That was really nice. I'm glad he [Hagen] wasn't screaming before I made my last putt there," Bensel said with a grin.

Danny Balin, club pro at Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich and featured instructor in Main Street Connect's "Golf Tip of the Week," was the top local finisher, tying for second place (a 6-under 207) and earning $5,000. Balin, playing in his first-ever Connecticut Open, just missed a 10-foot putt on the final hole that would have put him at 7-under. Bound for the PGA Championship next weekend, Balin said the narrow fairways of Brooklawn were a good tune-up for his second appearance in a PGA major.

"I kind of know what to expect now with the media and the players," Balin said. "It's at a more traditional golf course in Atlanta this year. I think that will help me a lot because, like many courses up here in Fairfield and Westchester, the course is very narrow."

Only two other local golfers cracked the top 10. Jason Caron of Greenwich placed eighth with a 1-under 212 and won a $2,000 prize. Brian Murphy of Wilton finished ninth overall and second among amateurs at an even 213. Amateurs were awarded store credit at the Brooklawn pro shop.

Mike Ballo Jr., of Stamford finished with a 3-over 216 and in a tie for 17th place, while Gerard Courville of Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk came in 4 over for 21st place. Day one leader David Pastore could not replicate the success of his first round, falling to a tie for 26th place at 6 over.

The Connecticut State Golf Association has full results.

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