With one simple email in his inbox in the spring of 2014, Anthony Pioppi got a chance to have a second edition of his book “To the Nines” published.


The first edition, published in 2006, had gone out of print some four years later, Pioppi said. Rowman & Littlefield published the first book which detailed some of the world’s most intriguing nine-hole courses. Now, it was Taylor Trade Publishing making an inquiry to Pioppi about bringing a newer edition out in paperback.


“It was really a shock (to receive the email). It took me about 4 seconds to answer it,” said Pioppi, a Middletown resident. “It kind of rekindled the flame.”

The one thing Taylor Trade Publishing and Pioppi both wanted was for each chapter to be updated. Pioppi, who has authored two other books (Haunted Golf, co-written with Chris Gonsalves in 2009, and A History of The Minikahda Club Golf Course in 2013), did so.

CHECK OUT WHAT'S IN "TO THE NINES"

James Becker of Bloomfield shot an even-par 71, which was good enough ton win his second Connecticut Senior Open championship by two strokes Tuesday at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton.

Becker, who also won the title in 2012, finished with a two-round total of 4-under-par 138. Dave Jones (Norwich), Greg Farland (Sturbridge, Mass.) and Mo Guttman (Sarasota, Fla.) all tied for second place at 2-under 140.

Paul Ryiz of Shelton tied for fifth place at 1-under 141 while for PGA Tour pro Ken Green tied for eighth at 1-over 143.