The University of Hartford celebrates its 25th season of Division I competition in 2008-09. Today, we revisit the collegiate and professional careers of Hartford golfers Tim Petrovic, Jerry Kelly and Patrick Sheehan.
Over the next few weeks, we'll take a look back at some of Hartford's finest moments ... but we need your help. Click here to nominate a moment you feel is worthy for the top 15. Whether it's Vin Baker being drafted or the women's basketball team winning its first America East Championship, make your voice heard. Every Friday, we'll choose a new moment to highlight.
At the end of the year, you'll be able to vote for your top moment. Along the way, be sure to e-mail us your comments, fondest memories, stories and more.
One of the earliest success stories in Hartford's Division I history was its men's golf program. The Hawks carried over their success from the Division II ranks in their first season of DI competition in 1984-85, earning the first of 11 straight (and 13 overall) NCAA berths. The heart of those early teams was a talented trio that later went on to professional careers on the PGA Tour?Tim Petrovic, Jerry Kelly and Patrick Sheehan.
Petrovic's collegiate career coincided with Hartford's first four years at the Division I level, a fortunate happenstance that allowed him to show off his abilities at the highest levels. The Glastonbury, CT native was a four-time All-New England selection and an All-American in 1988, a season in which he carded one of the lowest single season stroke averages in school history (73.85). His crowning individual achievement came at the 1987 Yale Invitational, where he earned medalist honors and shot a round of 64 that still stands as the school record.
Out of the three golfers, Kelly made the longest journey to West Hartford when he joined the squad for the 1985-86 campaign. As a fresh face out of Madison, WI, it didn't take him long to break into the Hawks' starting rotation. By the time he graduated, Kelly was a four-time All-New England performer who earned NCAA All-Region distinction in 1986-87. He tallied 27 top-10 finishes in his career, including four wins and seven runner-up finishes.
Sheehan, from Warwick, RI, joined the fray for the 1987-88 season, the only year during which all three golfers were on the same team. Over his four-year career, he earned medalist honors at six tournaments and compiled a stroke average of 76.47. Sheehan was a three-time all-conference selection and an All-New England pick in 1990. His winning total of 205 at the 1990 West Point Invitational also stood as the school's 54-hole scoring record for 17 years until it was broken in 2007.
Petrovic, Kelly and Sheehan each led the Hawks to NCAA appearances in every season during their tenure. After their success at Hartford, all three moved on to professional careers on the PGA Tour. They became only the sixth trio from the same college team to play on the PGA Tour at the same time.
Kelly was the first to break into the pro ranks, joining the Tour in 1996 after finishing as the Nationwide Tour Player of the Year. He won his first tournament in 2002 at the Sony Open in Hawaii and followed it up with another victory at the Advil Western Open later in the year. Kelly also represented the United States on the 2003 Presidents Cup team. In 14 seasons he has posted over $18 million in career earnings and ranks 27th all-time among career money leaders.
Petrovic's journey to the PGA Tour took a bit longer. After graduating in 1988, he fought his way through mini-tours and finally earned his card with a strong 2001 season on the Nationwide Tour. He tied for second at the FedEx St. Jude Classic as a rookie in 2002, and his first career victory came three years later at the Zurich Classic. In eight seasons on the PGA Tour he has recorded over $8 million in career earnings.
Sheehan has played five seasons since joining the Tour in 2003. With career earnings of over $3.5 million, he has posted seven top-10 finishes and was runner-up at the 2004 Valero Texas Open.
Notables
- All three golfers have been inducted into the University of Hartford Athletics Alumni Hall of Fame. Petrovic was inducted in 1995, Kelly in 2002 and Sheehan in 2005.
- During their one season together (1987-88) under head coach Gordon McCullough, Hartford won seven tournaments and finished 30th at the NCAA Championship. Petrovic (73.85) and Kelly (74.57) led the team in stroke average. Teammates on that squad included Dave Gunas, Jay Sondhi, Mike Lipnick, Glenn Johansen and current Hawks head coach Peter Stankevich.
- Several talented golfers surrounded the trio during their years at Hartford, including All-Americans John Parsons, Doug Domian and Jon Veneziano, among others.
- Kelly, a hockey enthusiast, enrolled at Hartford with the intention of also playing for the school's club hockey program. However, funding was cut and the program was dropped.
- Petrovic turned pro in 1988 and took 13 years to earn his PGA Tour card, with stops in Australia, Canada and the American developmental tours. Along the way, he delivered The Hartford Courant, sold cell phones and managed a Pizza Hut in Tampa, FL.
- During their college days, nicknames for the trio included Buffie (Petrovic), Schizo (Kelly) and Pooh Bear (Sheehan).
