(June 30, 2026) – For the 72nd time in tournament history, Watertown Golf Club will host the Connecticut Junior Amateur presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop.
Slated to be played from July 7-10, the 85th Connecticut Junior Amateur presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop will feature a field of 140, including a number of players already committed to play college golf.
The week begins on Tuesday with 18 holes of stroke play qualifying, with a bracket of 32 players to be set by the end of the first day. On Wednesday, match play will begin with the Round of 32, followed by the Round of 16 and quarterfinals on Thursday. Friday will feature the semifinals and 18-hole championship match.
“I believe that Watertown Golf Club is a good place for match play,” Watertown GC head professional Peter Seaman said of the par-71 6,400-yard layout. “As training and technology have made some of our shorter par 5s, Nos. 1 and 16, into long par 4s, the variety of other holes can create strategic opportunities for competitors to play aggressively or conservatively depending on where the match stands.”
Over the years, the variety of holes has produced a number of thrilling finishes, including last year when North Chery defeated Alex Halpert with a birdie on the fifth extra hole, the 23rd hole of the match.
However, Chery isn’t eligible to defend his title, and as a result, a new name will be etched onto the trophy. Also up for grabs for the winner is a spot in the 78th U.S. Junior Amateur set to be played at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania from July 20-25.
The quest for the 85th Connecticut Junior Amateur presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop title will begin on the morning of Tuesday, July 7 at 7 a.m.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 140
Players to Watch:
Thomas Bonomo (The Stanwich Club): Last year, Bonomo shared medalist honors and earned the two-seed.
Brody Dibeneditto (Highfield Club): A Sacred Heart commit, Dibeneditto reached match play last year.
Alex Halpert (Highfield Club): The runner-up in 2025, Halpert will look to make another run at the title in 2026. In June, he reached the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur.
Luke Kowalchik (Race Brook CC): In 2025, Kowalchik reached the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur and made match play at the Connecticut Junior Amateur. Two years ago, he reached the semifinals of the Connecticut Junior Amateur.
Will Lord (Suffield CC): The UConn commit won the Borck Junior in 2025, and earlier this year, he reached the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur.
Wilson Ouimet (eClub of Connecticut): A Wesleyan commit, Ouimet made a run to the semifinals of the Connecticut Junior Amateur one year ago.
Austin Perkins (Hartford GC): The Florida commit won the 2024 Connecticut Amateur, and this year he shared medalist honors. Each of the last two years he has reached the quarterfinals of the Connecticut Junior Amateur.
Robby Rosati (Great River GC): A Maryland commit, Rosati reached the semifinals of the Connecticut Junior Amateur in both 2022 and 2023. Earlier this year, he qualified for match play at the Connecticut Amateur.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Junior Amateur presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop 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.
