(July 3, 2023) – For the first time in tournament history Fairview Farm Golf Course will host the Connecticut Junior Amateur. 95 players will compete in the 82nd edition scheduled for July 10-13.
“Being able to call Fairview Farm the host facility for the 2023 Connecticut Junior Amateur is a great honor,” golf teaching professional Jim Bunel said. “Being able to showcase the best junior golfers our state has to offer, is an opportunity we look forward to as not just a golf staff, but also as a community.”
The par 72 6,600-yard layout will provide a number of risk-reward options that will challenge the field both during stroke play qualifying and match play.
“I believe the biggest challenge the juniors will face is mental,” explained Bunel. “The layout will be a great test of the player’s mind as much as their ability. There are about three holes that are drivable for most of the field and a handful of others where driver can get you into some great spots. However, all of these holes provide a lot of trouble for misguided shots as well. Decision-making and tee shot placement will be critical.”
Bunel highlights Nos. 1-3 and Nos. 10-12 as key stretches on the course. The opening tee shot will bring some jitters but also require the ability to hit a narrow fairway while the uphill par-4 second hole featuring a two-tiered green is one of the most difficult on the course. There will be no time for a breather on the tricky par-5 third and players who play this stretch well will typically get off to a good start in their matches.
The second key stretch begins with a forced carry over a hazard to the green on the par-3 10th. Wind is often a factor on this hole and the goal will be to land the ball in the second tier of the green regardless of where the pin is located. No. 11 is a straight away par-4 but there is out-of-bounds to either side so a good tee shot is needed. Approach shots will be into a green that slopes from back to front and features bunkers guarding the front of the green. Finally, the stretch concludes on the par-3 12th where a good tee shot can jump start the remainder of the round.
“I would expect the course to play fast but fair. Our superintendent Scott Neumann and his staff do a tremendous job at keeping the course in excellent shape,” said Bunel. “I would expect the course to have some great risk-reward tee and pin locations for match play. Fairview Farm GC has the ability to really change the course around from day to day making it a true test of a champion.”
The 82nd Connecticut Junior Amateur will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Monday morning with stroke play qualifying. Following the completion of play on Monday the field will be cut to 32 for the Round of 32 on Tuesday. Wednesday will feature the Round of 16 and quarterfinals ahead of the semifinals and championship match on Thursday.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 95
Players to Watch:
Alex Elia (Silver Spring CC): The Holy Cross commit won the Borck Junior in 2021 and has made match play at the Connecticut Amateur each of the last two years. Last year he qualified for match play at the Connecticut Junior Amateur.
Will Gregware (Farmington Woods GC): The Maryland commit has qualified for match play at the Connecticut Junior Amateur each of the past two years reaching the semifinals last year. Last month Gregware reached match play at the Connecticut Amateur and finished second at the Connecticut Junior PGA Championship.
Robby Rosati (Great River GC): Last year Rosati reached the semifinals of the Connecticut Junior Amateur and the championship match of the Borck Junior. The 14-year-old also made the cut this year at the Russell C. Palmer Cup presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop and reached match play at the Connecticut Amateur.
Bradley Sawka (Ellington Ridge CC): Heading to UConn in the fall Sawka competed in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball earlier this year.
Luke Stennett (Tallwood CC): A University of Rhode Island commit, Stennett recently qualified for this year’s U.S. Junior Amateur. At the Connecticut Junior Amateur he has qualified for match play each of the last three years and in 2021 he reached the quarterfinals.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Junior 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.
