(August 18, 2025) – With Cody Paladino looking to defend and eight past champions in the field the 38th Connecticut Mid-Amateur will head to Golf Club of Avon from August 25-26.
“It is an honor for GC of Avon to host the 38th Connecticut Mid-Amateur,” GC of Avon head professional Austin Peluso said. “2025 is our centennial anniversary, and this is our first time hosting this prestigious event. The list of past champions is a who’s who of Connecticut golf, and we look forward to another great champion being crowned here.”
GC of Avon, the host of the 2001 Connecticut Open and 2015 Connecticut Women’s Open, will provide a stiff test for the 103 players in this year’s field. Players will need to navigate quick greens, thick rough, and fescue that will provide a challenge as well.
Speaking on the challenges that GC of Avon will present defending champion Cody Paladino said, “I think Nos. 8 and 14 are the strongest par 4s on the course. You have to pick a good target and really hit a good tee shot, and then hit a solid second shot. The par 3s are strong holes as well, especially Nos. 2 and 13, where you’re hitting a long iron into some tricky greens.”
Peluso elaborated on the par-3s saying, “the champion will be someone who plays the par-3s well over three rounds.”
In addition to navigating the par-3s, Paladino also thought that the par-5s were an opportunity for players to make some birdies.
“The key to success at GC of Avon is really taking advantage of the par 5s,” explained Paladino. “With good tee shots, you can reach all four of the par 5s in two. Some of the par 5 greens are very sloped so you need to think about where you want to leave that second shot to set up your birdie looks.”
Play at the 38th Connecticut Mid-Amateur will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, August 25 with the top 36 players and ties making the cut and advancing to Tuesday and the 36-hole final day.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 103
Past Champions (8): Cody Paladino (2024), Rick Dowling (2021-2023), Ben Conroy (2018 & 2020), Ben Day (2019), Mike Kennedy (2018), Dave Szewczul (1996 & 2016), Chet Hrostek (2015), Bill Hermanson (1990-1993 & 2001)
Players to Watch:
Justin Beal (Timberlin GC): The recent Connecticut Public Links winner reached the quarterfinals at the Connecticut Amateur in June.
Ben Conroy (New Haven CC): The two-time champion finished T9 at the Russell C. Palmer Cup earlier this year and last year he was T6 at the Connecticut Mid-Amateur.
Ben Day (New Haven CC): Last year Day, the 2019 champion, was the runner-up at the Connecticut Mid-Amateur.
Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center): The three-time champion nearly won a fourth consecutive Connecticut Mid-Amateur title last year before settling for a T4 finish.
Adam Friedman (Great River GC): Fresh off competing in the U.S. Amateur, Friedman, the winner of the 2025 Connecticut Amateur, will look to improve on his third-place finish at the 2024 Connecticut Mid-Amateur.
Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC): After a T6 finish in the Connecticut Mid-Amateur last year, Guerrera has continued his strong play in 2025 earning a T6 showing at the Russell C. Palmer Cup and reaching match play at the Connecticut Amateur.
Thomas Labbe (Watertown GC): Last year, Labbe finished T4 at the Connecticut Mid-Amateur. Earlier this year Labbe made a run to the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur.
Thomas McCarthy (eClub of Connecticut): Each of the last two years Thomas McCarthy finished in second place at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Cody Paladino (Hartford GC): In 2024, Paladino won his first Connecticut Mid-Amateur title after finishing as the runner-up each of the previous four years. Earlier this year, Paladino reached the quarterfinals of the Connecticut Amateur.
Photo: GC of Avon photo courtesy of David Meyers Associates
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Mid-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.
