West Hartford, Connecticut (June 11, 2026) – After three days of hard work under the hot sun at Wampanoag Country Club, it is down to eight players at the 124th Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health.
Quarterfinal #1 (7:30 a.m.): #17 Anthony Guerrera (Watertown GC) vs. #24 Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center)
Anthony Guerrera: After a 5&4 win in the Round of 32 that saw Guerrera lead over Maxwell Pawloski (eClub of Connecticut) throughout, Guerrera had his work cut out for him in the Round of 16. Up against Thomas Labbe (Watertown GC), Guerrera was 3 down through seven holes. But with three birdies on the back nine, Guerrera rallied to win 1 up.
Rick Dowling: In the Round of 32 against Kevin Josephson (Timberlin GC), Dowling advanced with a 4&3 win. In the Round of 16, Dowling took a sizeable lead against Tyler Vitalo (Golf Performance Center) thanks to three-hole winning birdies in a row to begin the back nine. Vitalo would rally, forcing Dowling, a three-time winner, to hold on for a 1-up win.
Quarterfinal #2 (7:39 a.m.): #20 Chris Kono (Greenwich CC) vs. #5 Will Lodge (CC of Darien)
Chris Kono: Kono’s day began with a neck-and-neck match against Fritz Smith (The Stanwich Club) that went 20 holes. In the Round of 16, Kono recorded three birdies and an eagle to earn a 3&1 victory.
Will Lodge: In the Round of 32, Lodge, the recent Yale grad, was in a back-and-forth battle with Chris Meinke (Brooklawn CC). Highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-3 ninth, Lodge managed to win 2 up. In the Round of 16, Lodge faced Jack Feinstein (Shorehaven GC) and built a quick lead, winning 4&3.
Quarterfinal #3 (7:48 a.m.): #18 William Giaquinto (New Haven CC) vs. #7 Angus Klintworth (eClub of Connecticut)
William Giaquinto: Giaquinto’s lead in the Round of 32 was strong, and it didn’t end there. After defeating Robby Rosati (Mill River CC) 4&3, he maintained the lead the entirety of his Round of 16 match against Luke Stennett (Tallwood CC), bringing him into the quarterfinals with a 2&1 win.
Angus Klintworth: In the Round of 32, the rising BYU senior had quite the start to his day as he moved on after an incredible 6&4 win over Jake Portugal (Richter Park GC). Moving on to face Will Lord (Suffield CC), Klintworth built a big lead before holding on to win 1 up.
Quarterfinal #4 (7:57 a.m.): #3 Bradley Sawka (Ellington Ridge CC) vs. #11 Cody Paladino (Hartford GC)
Bradley Sawka: Playing Ryan Burrill (Indian Hill CC) in the Round of 32, Sawka earned a 2-up victory. The 2025 Connecticut Amateur runner-up faced last year’s Connecticut Junior Amateur runner-up, Alex Halpert (Highfield Club), in the Round of 16 and eventually emerged in 19 holes.
Cody Paladino: The 2013 winner’s day was filled with taking and then maintaining his lead as he tied 21 out of his 35 holes. In the Round of 32, Paladino bested Patrick Casey (eClub of Connecticut) 4&3 before eliminating Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills CC) for a second straight year. Last year, it was in the Round of 32; this year, the victory was a 4&3 win in the Round of 16.
Play will resume on Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. with the quarterfinal matches, followed by the semifinals in the afternoon. Friday’s play will set the stage for Saturday’s 36-hole title match.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health 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.
