(June 1, 2026) – The 124th Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health is headed to Wampanoag Country Club from June 9-13. The 1924 Donald Ross designed layout will host an elite field as it welcomes the state’s premier amateur event for the eighth time.
“Hosting the Connecticut Amateur is a tremendous honor for Wampanoag CC,” head professional Donny Kirkpatrick said. “This year it comes at a particularly meaningful moment for the club. Earlier this year, we opened our new clubhouse, and with a fully historical course restoration completed in 2023, the club is experiencing a renewed sense of pride while staying true to its roots.”
Last time Wampanoag Country Club hosted the Connecticut Amateur in 2003, Justin Goodhue overcame a 5-down deficit through 22 holes to capture the title. One year ago, Adam Friedman held a 5-up lead late in the match before ultimately closing out the title on the 35th hole to pick up the biggest win of his career.
“I’m entering this year’s tournament with the same thought process as last year,” Adam Friedman said of his title defense approach. “There’s still more to prove.”
Friedman has proven time and time again that he is among the state’s elite, and he will have a chance to prove it once again on a Wampanoag CC layout that demands, “precision and discipline,” explained Kirkpatrick. “The course rewards players who position the golf ball well off the tee and control their approach shots into demanding greens. Players who are patient, manage their misses, and have a confident short game will have a distinct advantage.”
For the week, Wampanoag CC, a par-72 layout, will play at 6,900 yards. But for this week, after day two, par will be tossed out the window as the format switches to match play.
“Wampanoag is exceptionally well-suited for match play because of its strategic design,” Kirkaptrick stated. The course naturally creates decision points—off the tee, into greens, and around the putting surfaces—that encourage bold play at the right moments. Setups will emphasize those choices rather than simply penalizing mistakes. Players will be tempted to take risks to win holes, and the course allows for momentum swings that make match play so compelling. It’s a layout that rewards confidence, creativity, and nerve—everything match play is meant to highlight.”
When asked the same question, Friedman said, “Wampanoag CC is a great match play course due to the strategic variety. Couple that with numerous birdie opportunities and I’d expect a lot of volatility in matches.”
However, before anybody can think about match play, they must first survive 36 holes of stroke play qualifying on Tuesday and Wednesday. The top 32 players will advance to the Round of 32 and 16 set to be contested on Thursday. The quarterfinals and semifinals will follow on Friday, with the 36-hole championship match set for Saturday morning. Play at the 124th Connecticut Amateur will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Notes on the Field
Number of Players: 137
Past Champions (9): Adam Friedman (2025), Austin Perkins (2024), Rick Dowling (2017, 2019, 2023), Ben Conroy (2018), Cody Paladino (2013), Matt Smith (2012), Steven Velardi (2004), Brian Hedstrom (1997, 2000), Bill Hermanson (1991)
Players to Watch:
Shane Bacon (Brooklawn CC): A prominent golf media personality, Bacon last played in the Connecticut Amateur in 2024, reaching the Round of 16.
North Chery (Great River GC): The 2025 Connecticut Junior Amateur winner had six top-25 and three top-10 finishes during his freshman season at DePaul.
Jack Chung (eClub of Connecticut): The Duke commit finished as the runner-up in the 2024 Connecticut Amateur.
Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center): A three-time champion, Dowling earned medalist honors last year before falling in the Round of 32.
Joe Ensign (CC of Farmington): A familiar face in the match play bracket, Joe Ensign started his 2026 CSGA season with a win at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Adam Friedman (Great River GC): The defending champion will look to become the first repeat winner since Chris Fosdick won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021.
Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills CC): The recent UConn grad reached the Round of 16 at the 2023 Connecticut Amateur and last year he earned the three-seed before falling to Cody Paladino in the Round of 32.
Cody Paladino (Hartford GC): The 2013 champion has been the runner-up in the Connecticut Amateur three times since 2020. In 2024, Paladino won the Russell C. Palmer Cup and the Connecticut Mid-Amateur. Last year, Paladino reached the quarterfinals of the Connecticut Amateur.
Austin Perkins (Hartford GC): The 2024 champion is committed to the University of Florida.
Mike Rothberg (Mill River CC): In 2024, the recent Sacred Heart graduate reached the semifinals of the Connecticut Amateur, and last year he reached match play again. Last month, Rothberg finished 10th at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Bradley Sawka (Ellington Ridge CC): Last year, Sawka had a banner summer, finishing runner-up at the Connecticut Amateur and as low amateur at the Connecticut Open. Sawka, who just completed his junior year at UConn, won the 2025 Dick Tettelbach Player of the Year award.
Luke Stennett (Tallwood CC): The runner-up at last month’s Russell C. Palmer Cup, Stennett picked up a pair of wins during his sophomore season at the University of Rhode Island.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health 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.
