Harwinton, Connecticut (July 10, 2023) – Austin Perkins knew exactly where he stood as he made his way to the tee of the 530-yard par-5 18th. He knew he had a high seed locked up and that if he made a birdie or an eagle he would likely earn medalist honors at the 82nd Connecticut Junior Amateur hosted by Fairview Farm Golf Course. Perkins also knew as he stood on the tee that he wanted to finish in style.
The lefty, utilizing his driver for only the fourth or fifth time in the round, and with the wind at his back uncorked a massive drive leaving himself only 220 yards into an elevated green. In between clubs, Perkins opted for a 5-iron and thanks to a kind bounce off the turf he found himself within 15 feet of the hole. Facing a challenging slider for eagle Perkins (Hartford GC) struck the putt pure and buried it unleashing a fist pump as the ball settled into the bottom of the cup capping off an impressive 7-under 65.
With the eagle, Perkins fired a flawless 6-under 30 on the back nine and in the process ensured himself medalist honors and the top seed come the beginning of match play on Tuesday.
“On the back nine the putter got hot and it wouldn’t stop and it was nice to make four birdies in a six-hole stretch,” said Perkins who signed for the lowest competitive round of his career.
Perkins, who in his first Connecticut Junior Amateur last year earned the two-seed and reached the Round of 16, began his round with a birdie but as he put it played a “little sloppy on the front nine.”
However, all the changed on the back nine. Making the turn in 1-under 35 Perkins caught fire converting birdies on Nos. 10 and 12, then after a par on No. 13 he birdied the next two holes setting the stage for his closing eagle.
“Last year was my first year playing in the Connecticut Junior Amateur and I didn’t really know what to expect,” said the 15-year-old sophomore at Kingswood Oxford. “I played really well in stroke play qualifying and honestly a lot of players say they just want to play the golf course but I’d rather look at what my opponent is doing because that is how you win or lose a match. But obviously, if you stay consistent and make a lot of pars you’ll have a good chance at winning.”
The top five in stroke play qualifying was rounded out by Will Lord (Suffield CC) and Johnathan Harlukowicz (Lyman Orchards GC) at 4-under in a tie for second, Luke Stennett (Tallwood CC) was fourth at 3-under while Alex Elia (Silver Spring CC) and Daniel Casanta (Ridgewood CC) shared fifth at 2-under.
Day one of the 82nd Connecticut Junior Amateur concluded with a 10-for-2 playoff that saw Gavin Kvadus (Eclub of Connecticut) and Ryan Wang (Farmington Woods GC) advance with pars on the first extra hole.
Play will continue on Tuesday with the Round of 32 beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Round of 16 and quarterfinals will be played on Wednesday followed by the semifinals and finals on Thursday.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Junior Amateur is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
