When the Connnecticut Golf Hall of Fame was established by the Greater Hartford Jaycees in 1955, there were some in-depth impressive candidates with supportable Connecticut connections from whom the first honoree could be chosen: four Men's U.S. Open champions, two Women's U.S. Amateur champions; a winner of the Men's U.S. Open, the National PGA, the British Open and the Masters; and a winner of the U.S., British, Canadian, and French Amateur championships.
Additionally, there were at least another half dozen who had distinguished themselves in state and regional competition, or otherwise as significant contributors to Connecticut's rich golf tradition. Singularly faithful to both of these standards, the choice of Robert Moir Grant as the state Golf Hall's first honoree was undisputed, either by members of the selection committee or by the Connecticut golf community. Indeed, the always articulate Tommy Armour, equating Grant with the immortal Bob Jones, both of whom he knew well, said that each was a most proper metaphor for all that was good about golf: pure competitive spirit, individual pride and dignity, and good sportsmanship.
In 1991, the Connecticut State Golf Association assumed stewardship of the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame with the dedicated intention of carrying on the successful selection process so well exercised by the Greater Harford Jaycees. Led by Gene Sarazen and Julius Boros, the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame collectively boasts 21 major golf championship titles: six U.S. Opens, five National PGAs, three National Senior PGAs, two Masters, two British Amateurs, two U.S. Women's Amateurs and one British Open.
Longtime rules official and former CSGA President Stan McFarland will be inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame for Distinguished Service to the Game.
Four-time Connecticut Open Champion Kyle Gallo was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame for Distinguished Golf Achievement at the CSGA Annual Dinner on December 5.