Pembroke's Connelly
finds winning stroke
Chris Sweet will be giving instructions to Duxbury High’s boys’ lacrosse players next year after all. (Robert E. Klein for The Boston Globe/File 2008)
By Justin Rice August 13, 2009
Once she pocketed a win in the only major golf tournament in Massachusetts that has eluded her, Tara Joy Connelly focused on her next task: defending her title in this week’s WGAM Grace Keyes Cup.
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The Duxbury native prevailed last week for the first time in the Massachusetts Women’s Open, recording a one-stroke win at LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville. Next up was the Keyes Cup, the state stroke play tournament held at Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill.
“You definitely feel good about yourself, that’s for sure,’’ Connelly said on Monday morning.
The confidence boost was fueled by her sterling finish at the state open: She was six shots off the lead before the final round but closed with a one-under par 71 for the victory.
“It was the one tournament up here I never won, so that’s pretty neat,’’ said Connelly, a Pembroke resident. “It’s cool to get all the big ones. The course just set up well for me. It’s a great golf course. I’m hitting it well and putting well.’’
She is also eyeing the upcoming women’s state team matches, sponsored by the United States Golf Association, which will be held Sept. 1 through 3 at the
“It’s a humbling experience,’’ she said of playing against the country’s top amateurs. “It’s kind of cool, you are playing with the best players from other states, and everyone there is obviously accomplished at their own level.’’
In her fifth appearance in the tournament, Connelly will be paired with Chelsea Curtis (New Seabury Country Club) and Pam Kuong (Charles River Country Club).
Between all the rain this summer and a busy personal schedule, the 36-year-old is amazed at how fast the season has gone.
“Summer has kind of gotten away from all of us with this bad weather,’’ said Connelly, who is married to J. P. Connelly, the head pro at Cohasset Golf Club. “This year it seems like I’ve been fresh when I needed to be. I feel like I haven’t played much golf other than at tournaments. Maybe that helped this year. You never know.’’
There could be another prestigious tournament on the slate this fall. Connelly will try to qualify for the US Women’s Mid-Amateur at The Kittansett Club on Aug. 25. The Mid-Am is scheduled for Oct. 3 through 8 at Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club in Ocala, Fla.
Parziale takes pro plunge
Then the 22-year-old Brockton resident will set up a home base in West Palm Beach, Fla., and play mini-tour events.
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This has been quite a summer for Parziale, currently the front-runner for player of the year honors in the Massachusetts Golf Association.
He was the low amateur in monsoon-like conditions at the Massachusetts Open, advanced to the quarterfinals of the prestigious North and South Amateur at Pinehurst No. 2, won the Brockton Fourball, the New England Amateur, and the Ouimet Memorial. . . .
Matt Sebet of Westwood will shoot for his second straight men’s club championship, and third title in four years, at Norfolk Golf Club this weekend. Sebet and Joe Young, his teammate on the golf team at Saint Anselm College, headline an impressive group of young players who should be in the hunt in Sunday’s final round.
For coach, a Sweet return
Chris Sweet will now be back on the coaching sideline next spring when his Duxbury boys’ lacrosse team attempts to defend its Division 1 East title for the seventh straight year.
After the Green Dragons captured their sixth straight crown in June, Sweet’s contract, stunningly, was not renewed late last month.
The 11-year coach met with Duxbury School Superintendent Susan Skeiber early last week to defend himself and ultimately was reinstated. His brief non-renewal was set in motion when a faction of parents complained after several upperclassmen were cut, their spots taken by freshmen, including Sweet’s son.
“When people involved aren’t necessarily dealing with a situation on a day-to-day basis, things can get skewed,’’ Duxbury High athletic director Thomas Holdgate said. “That’s what we’re dealing with here. People involved may not be involved every day.
“It was good for Chris to finally talk to somebody. Obviously, Chris was able to present himself in such a manner that she had no problem bringing him back, which is good for Chris.’’
Holdgate has worked with Sweet for the last eight years and called the last few weeks “extremely awkward.’’
“Obviously, I felt awful,’’ Holdgate said. “That’s why I was at least happy he was able to state his case.’’
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