(May 12, 2025) – Last year at the 22nd Russell C. Palmer Cup presented by Michaels Jewelers, Cody Paladino jump started a spectacular season with a dramatic playoff victory. One year later, Paladino and the rest of the deep field that will descend upon the Country Club of Waterbury from May 19-20 will look to do the same.
“The Palmer Cup always generates so much enthusiasm and you can really feel the energy at the event,” said three-time champion Cody Paladino. “Everyone is excited to be starting the championship season and the Palmer Cup is really the first major event of the year for many of us, so it’s an opportunity to reconnect with lots of people you haven’t seen since last year and it’s also a chance to really put your game to the test against a phenomenal golf course.”
This year the 22nd Russell C. Palmer Cup will return to the Country Club of Waterbury for the 15th time in the history of the event.
“Waterbury is such a fascinating course,” Paladino said. “There are so many aspects that make it challenging and it has some great defenses.”
The 6,550-yard Donald Ross designed par-69 layout with just one par-5 will be a challenge from tee to green throughout each round but there may be no bigger challenge than navigating the course’s variable par-3s. None could be more demanding than the 234-yard par-3 14th hole. The hole comes at a crucial point in the round and requires a precise tee shot. If a player misses the green getting up and down to save par will be difficult.
Following the 14th, there is no let-up on the way into the clubhouse as the field will face four par-4s, including two of the most demanding of the course. Players will need to display diverse shot-making as they make their way through the final stretch of the course.
“We have been fortunate to have had some exciting finishes to the Palmer Cup,” CC of Waterbury head professional Brad Lusenhop. “If I had to sum up the ending, I would simply say, it’s not over till it’s over.”
Look no further than last year for evidence that it is never over till it’s over. Last year the challenging closing par-4 18th yielded both crippling bogey’s and heart stopping birdies. The biggest birdie of the bunch, the 35-foot bomb that Paladino jarred on the second playoff hole to win his third Russell C. Palmer Cup.
This year’s drama will play out over 54 holes across two days. Play at the 22nd Russell C. Palmer presented by Michaels Jewelers will begin on Monday, May 19 at 7:30 a.m. Following the first round, the field will be cut to the top 39 and ties for the 36-hole final day.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 96
Past Champions (5): Cody Paladino (2013, 2022, 2024), Anthony Guerrera (2023), Rick Dowling (2020), Ben Day (2015), Thomas McCarthy (2009)
Players to Watch:
Jack Chung: The Duke commit finished as the runner-up at the 2024 Connecticut Amateur and also won the 2024 Met Junior Championship.
Ben Day (New Haven CC): The 2015 Russell C. Palmer Cup winner nearly won the title for a second time in 2020 only to fall a little short. Last year, Day finished second at the Connecticut Mid-Amateur.
Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center): Dowling won the Russell C. Palmer Cup in 2020 and is coming off another strong season that included a T4 showing at the Connecticut Mid-Amateur, a T7 at the Russell C. Palmer Cup, and a trip to match play at the Connecticut Amateur.
Joe Ensign (TPC River Highlands): In 11 events during his senior season at Post University, Ensign only finished outside the top-7 on three occasions. His season included two wins, two runner-up finishes, and two third-place showings.
Adam Friedman (Great River GC): The 2024 Connecticut Public Links winner finished third at the Connecticut Mid-Amateur, T7 at the Russell C. Palmer Cup, and reached the quarterfinals at the Connecticut Amateur.
Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills CC): During a strong junior season at UConn, Goode recorded four top-10 finishes including two fourth place showings. Last year at the Russell C. Palmer Cup, Goode lost in a playoff.
Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC): The 2023 champion is always a threat whenever he tees it up.
Thomas McCarthy (eClub of Connecticut): The 2009 champion nearly won the title last year falling in a playoff.
Cody Paladino (Hartford GC): The only player to win the Russell C. Palmer Cup more than once, Paladino will be in search of his fourth tournament title this year. Paladino won his fifth straight and seventh overall Dick Tettelbach Player of the Year award in 2024.
Robby Rosati (Mill River CC): The Maryland commit recently made it through U.S. Open Local Qualifying for the first time in his career.
Luke Stennett (eClub of Connecticut): The 2024 Connecticut Junior Amateur winner had a stellar freshman season at the University of Rhode Island. Highlighted by earning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors, Stennett finished in the top 10 in all but one event during his freshman season. His best finish was a victory at The Rutherford Intercollegiate.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Russell C. Palmer Cup 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.
