West Hartford, Connecticut (June 10, 2026) – With the temperatures rising, two young guns stayed cool under the day two pressure at the 124th Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health.
2024 champion Austin Perkins (Hartford GC) began the day alone atop the leaderboard, and by day’s end, he was still there, just now in a tie for medalist honors with Luke Stennett.
After opening with a first round 4-under 68, Perkins struggled a bit in the second round, carding a 1-over 73, but his 3-under tally was still good enough to beat all but one player.
Beginning on No. 1, the Florida commit put together an impressive front nine, recording three birdies and just one bogey to turn at 2-under for the day and 6-under overall. However, the back nine proved to be a struggle as Perkins bogeyed four of his last six holes while mixing in just one birdie to slide back to 3-under.
Despite the finish, and after missing the Connecticut Amateur last year, Perkins is still in a position to make a run at his second title in the last three years.
Luke Stennett (Tallwood CC) played his way into a share of medalist honors with rounds of 70-71. For Stennett, the recent transfer to Memphis, it was a tale of two nines.
Starting his day on No. 10, Stennett was 1-under after four holes, but a run of three bogeys in his last four holes of the side pushed the 2024 Connecticut Junior Amateur champion all the way back to even-par.
Looking to rebound, Stennett did just that on his second nine, playing Nos. 1-9 in a flawless 3-under 33.
I played really solid,” Luke Stennett said. The greens are in great shape. It is one of the longer Donald Ross courses, and physics is really key throughout the whole tournament. My goal is to keep it in the fairways and aim for the middle of the green when I have to. (All day) I took my medicine, and I knew par would be a good score and that birdies would be a bonus.”
Speaking of birdies, on Wednesday, Stennett carded birdies on Nos. 12, 13, 3, 4, and 8.
Now Stennett will turn his focus to match play. “I’m really excited to get back into the match play,” Stennett, who reached the Round of 16 last year, exclaimed. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
Play at the 124th Connecticut Amateur will resume on Thursday morning with the Round of 32, followed by the Round of 16 in the afternoon. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played on Friday, followed by the 36-hole title match on Saturday.
Of Note: 2012 Connecticut Amateur champion Matt Smith opened with an 8-over 80 before rebounding with a 2-under 70. His 10-shot turnaround secured his spot in the Round of 32.
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.
