Wallingford, Connecticut (September 8, 2025) – Brian Hedstrom fired a 3-under 68 in the first round of the 80th Connecticut Senior Amateur Championship and will carry a three-stroke lead into the final round.
“I was just consistent all round,” Brian Hedstrom said of his day. “I had one bogey on No. 9 but other than that I hit most of the greens and got up and down. I putted good.”
Following a par on the opening hole at Wallingford Country Club, Hedstrom moved into the red with his first of four birdies on the par-4 second. Playing aggressively on the ensuing hole, the long par-4 third, Hedstrom (Indian Hill CC) went pin seeking with a 7-iron only to come up short.
Just looking to get up and down, Hedstrom did one better, chipping in for his second consecutive birdie to move to 2-under.
“I think I got lucky there,” Hedstrom explained. “I hit a good chip, but it was a straight downhill and I got lucky that it hit the hole.”
Hedstrom did give a shot back with a bogey on No. 9, but that would be his only blemish of the day. On the back nine, the two-time Connecticut Amateur winner played flawless golf, firing a 2-under 34 that was highlighted by birdies on the par-5 13th and par-5 15th.
Now Hedstrom turns his attention to Tuesday’s final round. “Tomorrow I am just going to try and do the same thing,” stated Hedstrom. “I’ve played this course enough. It’s not overly long and if you keep it in play there are a lot of birdies out there. You just have to stay patient and if you make a bogey, there are plenty of bounce back opportunities.”
A group of three – James Lawler (Mohegan Sun GC), 2023 champion Bob Murphy (Brownson CC), and Rick Malafronte (New Haven CC) – are tied for second at even-par, while Glen Boggini (Ellington Ridge CC) and Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC) are tied for fifth at 1-over.
Overall, the top 39 players and ties made the cut. The final round shotgun start will begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Senior 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.
