Waterbury, CT---Nick Cook's rookie season as a professional keeps getting better. Following four consecutive top 10 finishes on the CGT circuit, Cook bagged his first professional victory in the CT Open on Wednesday, defeating amateur Brent Paladino on the third playoff hole. "I was very excited," said Cook, who canned a 12-foot birdie putt in sudden death to collect the $10,000 winner's prize, his largest check to date. "I feel like I've put a lot of work into my game the last seven, eight months. And it's starting to show up a little on the Cleveland Tour and certainly this week." Cook, a Georgetown gradute, seized the first round lead with an opening round of 3-under 66 at the Country Club of Waterbury. He then posted rounds of 71-69 to complete 54 holes at 1-under 206. Paladino rallied on the final day, posting a day low round of 66 to match Cook's three-day total. Cook, however, held on in estra holes, becoming the second consecutive CGTer to add the Connecticut Open to his trophy mantle following Kyle Gallo's triumph in 2004. "It's a validation that I'm working on the right things in my game," said Cook. "I'm hoping to parlay this into some good finished on the Cleveland Tour." Cook, no stranger to contending, relied on his experiences on the CGT to prevail down the stretch this week. "A big week was Atlantic City," explained Cook, who contended during the final round but faded with a back nine 42, thanks in large part to a quadruple bogey eight on the final hole. "I was tied for the lead with seven or eight holes left. And I had a bad finish. It was a good learning experience for me. I had never been in contention in a professional event. And I saw what it was like. Even though it didn't come out well, I feel like it helped me here." Having turned professional less than 12 months ago, following his quarterfinal appearance in last year's U.S. Amateur, Cook's confidence has risen steadily. "I went into this tournament feeling like I could win it. It's a different way of looking at it mentally." Other CGTers: Matt Doyle (7th): 69-73-69 |