(July 10, 2024) – A stacked field that is headlined by defending champion Arabella Lopez and one of the top amateur golfers in the country Maisie Filler will compete in the 59th Connecticut Women’s Amateur hosted by Tashua Knolls Golf Course.
“Hosting the Connecticut Women’s Amateur for the third straight year is truly an honor and a testament to our continued support of the women’s game,” said Tashua Knolls GC Director of Golf Bobby Brown. “Growing the women’s game is a priority to our team and we are proud to have the support from the Town of Trumbull and its golf commission.”
A field of 67 players will descend upon Tahshua Knolls GC from July 15-17. Built by Al Zikorus and opened in 1976, Tashua Knolls GC, the host of the 2017 Connecticut Amateur, is situated on land once populated by the Tamtashua tribe and later the Mallet family. Framed in many spots by stone walls built by early settlers to the region the course meanders up and down rolling hills offering players impressive views throughout their round.
However, the field will be more focused on the difficult test that the 5,700-yard par-72 layout will present. From challenging green complexes to the necessity for accuracy off the tee players will be challenged from the moment they step onto the first tee until they scoop the ball out of the final hole.
Speaking about the layout Brown said, “The key stretch of holes to negotiate will be holes 15-18. This proved to be true last year as Arabella Lopez made her move to hold off closing competitors. The holes that players need to try and take advantage of will be Nos. 10-14 where birdies can be made to set up for a strong finish.”
Last year Lopez trailed midway through the final round before rallying late to earn the title. Her victory also helped Lopez (Redding CC) capture her first Liz Janangelo Caron Women’s Player of the Year award.
“I’m very excited to defend my title at Tashua Knolls GC,” Arabella Lopez said. “I have been working really hard to make sure I can come back to win. I think the key to playing well at Tashua for me is playing to my numbers. Tashua can be a quirky course so I think my course management is what’s going to help me play my best.”
Lopez will enter the Connecticut Women’s Amateur full of confidence thanks to her recent strong play which includes wins at the Puerto Rico Women’s Amateur and the International Junior Masters.
Lopez will face many standout players at this year’s Connecticut Women’s Amateur but none are more prominent than Maisie Filler (Hartford GC). Currently, the 47th-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings Filler will make her return to the Connecticut golf scene fresh off an appearance in the U.S. Women’s Open, the ShopRite LPGA Classic, and as a member of victorious Team USA at the Arnold Palmer Cup. In addition, this past April Filler competed in her second consecutive Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship where she finished in eighth place.
“I’m always excited for another opportunity to compete and it was great timing to play in this year’s Connecticut Women’s Amateur because I am home in Connecticut while it is being conducted,” said Maise Filler. “I remember playing Connecticut PGA events at Tashua Knolls GC many years ago, so it is very nostalgic to come back and play there.”
Filler recently completed her senior season at the University of Florida. During her senior year Filler won three individual titles on her way to earning All-American Second Team and All-SEC First Team honors.
The 54-hole Connecticut Women’s Amateur will begin at xxx a.m. on Monday, July 15 with the second round and final round to follow. Ahead of the final round on July 17, the field will be cut to the top 24 and ties plus anyone within eight shots of the 36-hole lead.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 67
Past Champions (3): Arabella Lopez (2023), Meghan Mitchell (2019, 2022), Jen Holland (2008)
Players to Watch:
Annie Dai (CT PGA Junior Golf Association): The Amherst commit nearly won the Connecticut Women’s Amateur last year one week after winning the Connecticut Girls’ Junior. Earlier this year Dai competed in the 9th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball alongside Yvette O’Brien.
Aofie Devaney (CC of Waterbury): In 2023 Devaney won the Hartford Women’s Open and tied for fifth at the Connecticut Women’s Amateur. Devaney is committed to Coastal Carolina University.
Maisie Filler (Hartford GC): The 47th-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Filler won three times during her senior season for the University of Florida. Filler finished eighth in the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and has recently played in the U.S. Women’s Open, the ShopRite LPGA Classic, and represented the victorious Team USA at the Arnold Palmer Cup.
Jen Holland (Lyman Orchards GC): Five-time Liz Janangelo Caron Player of the Year winner and 2008 champion Jen Holland is always a threat. In 2022 Holland finished third at the Connecticut Women’s Amateur and in 2020 she was the runner-up.
Arabella Lopez (Redding CC): The defending champion has had a strong start to 2024 winning both the Puerto Rico Women’s Amateur and the International Junior Masters.
Yvette O’Brien (EClub of Connecticut): The TCU commit has a pair of top-five AJGA finishes in the last two months. The 2022 Connecticut Girl’s Junior winner also finished T6 at the Junior Girls’ North & South Amateur. Earlier this year O’Brien teamed up with Annia Dai at the 9th U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball.
Meghan Mitchell (Oronoque CC): The two-time champion makes her return to the Connecticut Women’s Amateur after not playing in 2023.
Laniah Moffett (EClub of Connecticut): Last year Moffett had a top 10 showing and at the end of June she competed in the First Tee National Championship. Moffett has committed to Howard University.
*Maisie Filler photo courtesy of the University of Florida
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Women’s 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.
