Bernardston, Massachusetts (August 19, 2025) – At the 2025 New England Junior Amateur Invitational North Chery and the Team Connecticut Boys’ stole the show.
Playing the final round on a gorgeous day at Crumpin-Fox Club Chery began his day with a commanding nine-shot lead following rounds of 69-62 on the 36-hole first day.
Despite the final round not going as smoothly for Chery, who set a new course record with his 10-under 62 in the second round the day before, his lead proved to be too much for the rest of the field to overcome.
“The second round was one of those where almost everything went right,” North Chery said. “Everything from my tee shots, to my wedges, to my putting. I made almost no real mistakes, and I scored really well. I only had 24 putts the entire round.”
The final round was a different story. Dealing with a balky knee that he tweaked late in his second round, Chery grinded his way around the course shooting a closing 6-over 78. However, despite the struggles in the final round Chery was able to finish 7-under for the tournament and three shots ahead of runner-up Zac Georgantas (Massachusetts).
“This win definitely means a lot, being my final junior golf tournament and first stroke play victory in a while,” said Chery the 2025 Connecticut Junior Amateur champion. “It feels great to be able to come to Massachusetts and get it done against a field that includes some of the best players in New England.”
With the victory Chery, who is heading to DePaul to begin his college career, became the second Connecticut player in three years to win the individual title. Luke Stennett, who defeated Chery in the finals of the 2024 Connecticut Junior Amateur won the event in 2023.
Chery’s performance also led the boys’ team to the overall title. Connecticut, winners for the 19th time finished a staggering 14-under and 31 shots better than runner-up Massachusetts. The victory marked Connecticut’s fourth title in the last seven years and first since 2022.
In addition to Chery, the remaining six Connecticut players finished inside the top 10. Alex Halpert tied for fifth at 2-over, three players – Brody DiBeneditto, Will Lord, and Robby Rosati – tied for seventh at 3-over, while Caden Piselli and Austin Perkins both tied for 10th at 5-over.
In the Girls’ Division, Jun Xi Guo played herself into a three-way playoff to determine the individual champion. On the final day Guo carded a 1-over 73 to finish 10-over alongside Maddie Smith (Massachusetts) and Mady Savary (New Hampshire). In the playoff, Guo survived the first extra hole only to watch on as Smith won the title on the second playoff hole.
Guo’s runner-up performance helped lead the Connecticut Girls’ team to a second place finish behind Massachusetts. When the final scores were tallied, all five Connecticut players finished inside the top 13. Shawna Aurora and Zorah Williams were both T9, while Caroline McShea placed 12th followed by Paige McKenna in 13th.
Photos Courtesy of Vermont Golf Association
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association 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.
