Watertown, Connecticut (July 9, 2025) – Just two remain at the 84th Connecticut Junior Amateur presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop.
After three days of play at Watertown Golf Club of the 130 players that began the week only Alex Halpert (Highfield Club) and North Chery (Great River GC) remain. They will now duel on Thursday morning beginning at 8 a.m. with not only a title on the line but a spot in the field at the 77th U.S. Junior Amateur set to be played later this month at Trinity Forest Golf Club.
Alex Halpert became the first player to punch his ticket to the finals thanks to 5&4 win over James Sagnella (Lyman Orchards GC) in the semifinals.
On the opening par-5 Halpert, a Canterbury School rising senior, jarred a 30-footer for birdie and even though Sagnella matched him with a lengthy birdie putt, the tone for the match had been set.
Following another tie on the second hole, Halpert won the par-3 third with a par to begin a stretch of four consecutive wins to take a 4-up lead and take a stranglehold on the match.
Sagnella did win the par-3 ninth but Halpert continued to press winning No. 12 with a birdie to regain his 4-up lead. Halpert, who defeated Andrew Beauton (Madison CC) 2&1 in the quarterfinals, then tied No. 13 thanks to a spectacular par from behind a tree to maintain his lead before closing out the match on the par-3 14th.
“I’m feeling great,” Alex Halpert said. “I’ve never made it this far before. It’s a new experience. In the final I just need to have fun, get out of my own head, keep mentally strong, and hit the ball well. I’m really excited. I’m going to try and get a good night’s sleep and then see how tomorrow goes.”
In the second semifinal match North Chery rallied to defeat Wilson Ouimet (USGA/CSGA GC) 2&1 and move on to his second consecutive championship match.
1-down after eight holes, Chery evened the match with a par on the par-3 ninth and then steadily began to take control throughout the back nine.
A birdie on the par-4 11th gave Chery a 1-up advantage and his lead grew to 2-up after a par to win No. 12.
However, Ouimet wasn’t going down without a fight. He won Nos. 13 and 15 to twice move within 1-down but on both occasions Chery won the ensuing hole to restore his advantage to 2-up.
The second time Chery accomplished the feat, on the par-5 16th, all but sealed the deal. In a good spot off the tee the DePaul commit pulled his second shot just to the left of the green.
Sitting pin high but with very little green to work with Chery, a 3&2 winner over Austin Perkins (Hartford GC) in the quarterfinals, pulled off the shot of the day. With the green sloping away from him, Chery hit his mark and watched as he ball trickled to within a foot of the cup.
“I couldn’t hit that shot again in the next 50 tries,” North Chery said. “I had a downhill chip and had maybe a foot of landing zone for it to probably even stay on the green. And somehow I hit it within a foot.”
A conceded birdie won Chery the hole and moved his lead to 2-up with two holes remaining. One hole later Chery closed the door on Ouimet and earned his second consecutive title match berth.
“I’m looking forward to playing in the finals again,” Chery said. “(Last year Luke Stennett shot a 28 on the back nine to win) so hopefully, I can get it done this time.”
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.
