(Longmeadow CC – Host Site 2018 NE Junior Invitational)
The CSGA will present a strong team in the 49th playing of the New England Junior Amateur Invitational August 12-14. Hosted this year by Massachusetts, the 54-hole stroke play competition will be played at Longmeadow Country Club in Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Conducted by the New England Golf Association, the Invitational brings together all six New England states each represented by seven junior golfers who have not yet reached their 19th birthday. Team scores are calculated by each state’s lowest five scores in each of the three rounds.
Over the history of the New England Invitational, Connecticut and Massachusetts have dominated the competition with each state having claimed the title 15 times. Rhode Island is next with seven victories. Massachusetts has won the last two, and four of the last five. Connecticut’s last victory came in 2012.
Each state has its own method of selecting their top seven players. In Connecticut, the winner (Connor Belcastro) and runner up (Matthew Doyle) in the Connecticut Junior Amateur earn automatic berths. The remaining five are selected by the CSGA Junior Golf Committee based upon performances in state, regional and national championships.
Connecticut returns three players, Jackson Fretty, Alexander Gu and Chris Fosdick from last year’s runner up team. Fretty and Fosdick finished tied for 2nd individually in 2017. Ben James was a member of the 2016 team, and was Connecticut’s best finisher in 9th place overall that year. Justin Mathew is a first-time selection in 2018.
Connecticut’s Team is coached and managed by Junior Golf Chairman, Chuck Claffey. and Executive Director, Mike Moraghan.
Below are the members of the 2018 Connecticut Junior Team along with a listing of some of their accomplishments:
ALEXANDER GU – Darien, CT
- Runner up in the 2018 AJGA Gary Woodland Junior (71-71-72)
- Semifinalist in 2018 Connecticut Junior Amateur
- 3rd in 2018 CIAC Division I State Championship (71)
- T-3 in 2018 Connecticut Junior PGA Championship (69-71)
- T-4 in 2018 Connecticut Junior Amateur (Stroke Play Q – 70)
BEN JAMES – Milford, CT
- Won the 2018 Computer Merchant Cup (68-65)
- Runner up in 2018 AJGA Killington Junior (66-72-67)
- Reached the Round of 32 in the 2018 US Junior Amateur
- Medalist at 2018 Connecticut Junior Amateur (67)
- Won 2018 Northern Junior (68)
CHRIS FOSDICK – Middlefield, CT
- Won the 2018 Connecticut Junior PGA Championship (71-65)
- Won the 2018 AJGA Junior Golf Hub Championship (73-67-72)
- Won the 2018 CIAC State High School Open Championship (67)
- T-3 in 2018 AJGA Killington (68-66-73)
- Runner up in 2018 Northern Junior (69)
- T-3 and 2nd Alternate in 2018 US Amateur Qualifying (69-71)
CONNOR BELCASTRO – Rowayton, CT
- Won 2018 Connecticut Junior Amateur
- T-2 in 2018 Computer Merchant Cup (69-70 139)
- T-3 in 2018 Connecticut Junior PGA Championship (70-70)
- T-2 in 2018 Met Junior Championship (Stroke Play Q – 70)
- Quarterfinalist in 2018 Met Junior Championship
JACKSON FRETTY – Cos Cob, CT
- 2018 CIAC Division I Individual Champion (68)
- T-12 in 2018 Russell C. Palmer Cup (68-76-75)
- T-13 in 2018 US Amateur Qualifying (76-69)
- T-2 in 2017 New England Junior Invitational (70-70-70)
JUSTIN MATHEW – Rocky Hill, CT
- Won 2018 Ryan Lee Memorial Junior (70-72)
- Medalist at 2018 US Junior Qualifying (66)
- Semifinalist in 2018 Connecticut Junior Amateur
- 4th in 2018 Computer Merchant Cup (70-70)
- 3rd in 2018 CIAC Division III State Championship (73)
MATTHEW DOYLE – Madison, CT
- Runner up in 2018 Connecticut Junior Amateur
- T-2 in 2018 CIAC Division II State Championship (72)
- T-5 in 2018 Connecticut Junior PGA Championship (70-71)
- T-21 in 2018 AJGA Junior Golf Hub Championship (77-69-79)
- Won 2017 Cas Coscina Memorial Junior (72-73)
- Won 2017 Computer Merchant Cup (73-69)
For more information on the New England Junior Amateur Invitational visit:
http://www.negagolf.org/new-england-junior.html
