Tons of tournament experience dating back to his college All-America days taught Adam Rainaud how to handle just about every situation on the golf course.

So Rainaud remained confident after shooting a 76 in the first round of the 48th PGA Professional National Championship at The Philadelphia Cricket Club. The tournament ran from June 28-July 1.

Rainaud, the 29-year-old assistant professional at Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, believed his putting would improve over the course of four rounds. He already consistently drove the ball straight down the fairway.

He was right.

Digging out of an early hole, Rainaud charged up the leaderboard, improving 21 spots during the final round while shooting a 2-under-par 68. He finished tied for 10th overall at 2-over 284, earning a spot in the prestigious PGA Championship set for Aug. 13-16 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisc.

"This is probably my biggest golfing accomplishment yet," Rainaud said earlier this week at Black Hall.

Rainaud is enjoying a remarkable run.

Last year, he ruled the state tournament scene, winning the Connecticut Section player of the year. He captured the 83rd Connecticut PGA Championship, the Connecticut PGA Assistant Championship and Connecticut PGA Professional Championship. He qualified for his first pro tournament, playing in the 2014 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. He failed to make the cut.

"The last 15 or 16 months have been the best golf I've ever played," Rainaud said.

He almost came up short in his bid to play on the big stage for the second straight year.

In the PGA Professional National Championship, Rainaud needed a solid second round just to be one of the 70 golfers in the 312-player field to make the cut. He was in about 160th place through one round.

Rainaud birdied his last hole to shoot a 70.

"I made the cut by one extra shot," Rainaud said.

He kept climbing from there, firing a 70 in the third round and moving to 31st place.

Pressure really started to build heading into the final round. Rainaud figured he had to shoot under par to qualify.

"Going into that last day, that was one of the biggest days of my life, Rainaud said.

He saved his best for last, firing a 2-under 68 to clinch a trip to the 94th PGA Championship. He had four birdies on the final day and one-putted six of his last seven holes.

"I'm fortunate that ever since college to now, I've made some clutch putts coming down the stretch to either win a tournament or to have a good finish and good round," Rainaud said. "I always can think back in my head to good experiences in the past where I've made a putt, so it gives me more confidence since I've done it before."

Rainaud could finally relax and celebrate after draining a 10-foot par putt on the 18th hole. He hugged his girlfriend and also younger brother Scott, who served as his caddie.

"I'm a pretty even-keel, not a very emotional guy — at least I don't show it — on the outside," Rainaud said. "But that was about emotional as I've gotten in a long time."

Rainaud has a few weeks to prepare for the PGA Championship. He can't wait to play a practice round at Whistling Straights.

He's hoping to play with his friend, Morgan Hoffmann, who's close with Jordan Spieth.

"That would be a nice treat if I could join those guys for a practice round," Rainaud said.

Short putts

• For the 18th straight year, Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton will host the Connecticut Senior Open next Monday and Tuesday. Once again, the field is stacked. Seven former champions will be competing for the title. Defending champion Jerry Courville will attempt to win his third title overall. He defeated John Elliott of Westerly on the second playoff hole last year. The pair tied at 6-under 136 after 18 holes.

Elliott also is in this year's field, as are 2014 low amateurs Dave Szewczul and Michael Mercier.

Chris Hedden of Waterford will make his first appearance in the Senior Open. Other locals in the field include: Richard Wilczewksi of Old Lyme, Dave Jones of Norwich, Charlie Moore of New London, Kipling Visintini of Uncasville, Tony Susi of Gales Ferry, Bill Hermanson of East Lyme, Dave Wheatley of Oakdale, Thomas Ward of New London, John Farrell of Preston, Mark Toscano of Westerly, Chris Grimsey of Uncasville and Charles Nafie of Mystic.

• Local golfers fared well in a qualifier for the 81st Connecticut Open held Tuesday at Lake of Isles in North Stonington. The Lake of Isles duo of Michael Masso and Nick Torrance rode home-course advantage to a tie for second place at 1-over 73. Kevin Riley of Pequot Golf Club placed fifth at 74 and Dave Jones of Mohegan Sun Country Club tied for ninth at 76.

All four advanced to the Connecticut Open, which runs July 27-29 at The Patterson Club in Fairfield.

• Noah Straub of Mystic tied for seventh in the boys'  13-15 division at the Junior Connecticut PGA Championship tournament last week at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield. He finished at a 11-over 165 (83-82). Jack Ognisty of Pawcatuck placed 11th at 170 (85-85).

• Pete Stefanski recently defeated Jeff Hanley to win another Elmridge senior club championship. In the first flight, Will Thibodeau defeated Ken Textor.

In other Elmridge news, men's club championship competition is underway. The second round of qualifying will be held this weekend. Championship Sunday is set for July 26.

• At Norwich Golf Course, the foursome of Jeff Jakubowski, Tim DeLucia, Nick DeLucia and Dave Bourbeau finished first in the Daniel Boucher Memorial last month.

Terry Hanrahan defeated Tim Griffin, 4-and-3, to capture the men's President's Cup while Lorie Jakubowski beat Stacie Lambert to win the women's event.

Upcoming events

• The 89th Norwich Invitational, the oldest amateur tournament in the state, tees off next Friday with 18 holes of qualifying play. Dan Hendrickson beat Phil Perry last year to win his second straight championship flight title. Registration deadline is Wednesday. For more information, call the Norwich Golf Course pro shop at (860) 889-6973, or go to norwichgolf.com

• The CSGA's 79th Father & Son Tournament is set for Tuesday at Connecticut National Golf Club in Putnam. Chris and Paul DeLucia, who play out of Lake of Isles and Norwich, respectively, are back in the field after finishing in a tie for fifth last year.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe