Photographer: Taylor Kemp
Matt Ziance and Kate Stringfellow’s first date, in June 2020, was something of a disaster. Because of restaurant closures, a beach pass mishap, and heavy traffic on I-95, they spent about two-and-a-half hours sitting in the car. But the conversation flowed – and the connection was apparent. Matt called his folks later that night to tell them he’d met the love of his life. They’ve been inseparable ever since.
Matt grew up in Pennsylvania and was living in Stamford. He’s a self-proclaimed ‘golf fanatic’, saying “I started playing golf as a kid, and really looked up to my dad, who was also a golfer – and even played with the PGA Tour Player, Rocco Mediate. I even had a job in Marketing at the Golf Channel – although they didn’t hire me to play golf. I’m about a 12 handicap, and I can’t get out there enough. Kate understood my enthusiasm and I was impressed when she right-away announced that she wanted to take up the sport so she could share going golfing with me.”
“It was the height of the pandemic and there wasn’t that much else to do,” Kate recalls. “I grew up in New Canaan, but I’d never played golf. I took a few lessons and had some sessions at the range, and then we started to play on a couple of local courses. On the 6th time I played, on the 3rd hole at Oak Hills Park Golf Course in Norwalk – my 93rd hole of golf – I had a hole-in-one!”
“If I had a ring with me, I would have proposed right then and there on the 3rd at Oak Hills!” Matt declares. “I took it as a sign – and as an inspiration for our golf-themed wedding. And of course I’d captured the hole-in-one on my ‘Ace Cam’ – which I use on every Par 3 just to capture the freak hole-in-one.”
A few months after ‘The Ace’, Matt orchestrated a proposal which involved a trip to Nashville, the couple’s favorite Country Western artist, Spencer Crandall, singing ‘My Person’ to the couple in a private candle-lit venue, and Matt popping the question on one knee.
The Reception was a masters-themed sensation.
Matt and Kate’s wedding was held at the First Prebyterian Church – where, as the Sextons of the Church, they now reside. The reception was a Masters- themed sensation. The Masters announcer Jim Nantz recorded an opening video. There was a Masters- based logo and Masters branding on everything from the placards to the cookies. Inspired music included Matt walking down the aisle to the tune ‘Augusta’. Kate picked Masters Caddy uniforms for the little ring bearers and flower girl, and the ring was presented in a golf ball ring box. Matt wore a Masters Green Jacket to enter the celebration, and Kate put on a Golf Caddy Bib – and the couple opened the party with a ceremonial putt!
WHAT A PAR-TEE!
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