Monte Mullen with the Russell C. Palmer Cup Trophy

Eighty-nine of Connecticut’s best amateur golfers gathered at the Country Club of Waterbury for the 14th playing of the Russell C. Palmer Cup. Named for Russell C. Palmer, former CSGA Executive Director (1986-1995) and inductee into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame (1997), the Palmer Cup is the Connecticut Stroke Play Championship.

Mullen had shared the lead after an opening round even-par 69, but stumbled to a 78 in round two to fall a seemingly insurmountable eight shots behind David Giuletti. But a seven-birdie performance (all on par fours) produced the low round of the tournament, a three-under 66 that delivered the title.

Dietrich finished solo second at 74-68-72--214. Tied for third at 215 were Kyle Nolin and Dave Szewczul.

Nolin was seeking to win his second CSGA major championship in as many years, having captured the Connecticut Public Links Championship last summer.

Szewczul was attempting to complete his collection of CSGA championships, having won every other state championship except for the Palmer Cup. Last year he won both the CSGA mid-amateur and senior and was named Connecticut Senior Player of the Year for the seventh time.

This is Mullen's second Conecticut State Golf Association (CSGA) title, having previously won the Connecticut Junior Amateur in 2010. Mullen, who worked for the CSGA as the USGA P.J. Boatwright Intern last summer, lost in a playoff for the Palmer Cup title to Blake Morris in 2014.

The 2017 Russell C. Palmer Cup marks the ninth time that the Country Club of Waterbury has hosted the event. In addition to hosting the Palmer Cup, the CC of Waterbury has also hosted ten Connecticut Amateur Championships and the 2005 Connecticut Open Championship. The club was originally founded in 1899 and the present Championship course was designed and completed in 1929 by renowned architect Donald Ross.