West Hartford, Connecticut (May 16, 2022) – Jack Junge and Arthur Ouimet fired 3-under 69s to set the early pace at the 19th Russell C. Palmer Cup presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop on a pleasant day at Wampanoag Country Club.
Junge and Ouimet will begin day two with a slim one-shot advantage over five players in a tie for third at 2-under. That group includes 2020 Palmer Cup winner Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center), Walker Lohrey (Tumble Brook CC), Eric Bleile (EClub of Connecticut), UConn sophomore Tommy Dallahan (Hartford GC), and Joseph Ensign (TPC River Highlands).
Ouimet (CC of Waterbury) got his round off to a quick start with birdies on his first two holes but it was his play on the par-5s that vaulted him to the top of the leaderboard. One of the longest hitters in the field Ouimet, who played college golf at Central Connecticut State University and then Valdosta State, routinely had wedges into the short par-5s and as a result played the four par-5s in 3-under.
The highlight of Ouimet’s round came on the par-5 11th. Playing at only 463 yards Ouimet was left with only 120 yards into the green following his tee shot. Ouimet proceeded to hit a sand wedge to eight feet setting up an eagle three. The eagle was part of a scorecard that also included five birdies and four bogeys.
“The key to my round was hitting fairways,” Ouimet said. “I was playing from really good spots to attack greens.”
Junge (EClub of Connecticut) played a steady round of golf signing a scorecard that included four birdies and just one bogey. Junge, the Interim Head Women’s Golf Coach/Assistant Men’s Golf and Women’s Ice Hockey Coach at Trinity College, recorded his first birdie on the par-5 4th hole before converting additional birdies on Nos. 7, 11, and 18.
“The key for me today was getting off to a good start,” said Jack Junge. “I was able to settle in after making some nice pars on Nos. 2 and 3. After that I felt like I could play aggressively and take advantage of some nice tee shots.”
On a day where scores were low the shot of the day goes to Jason Jawororski (Shorehaven GC) who came to the par-4 18th hole 1-over for the day. Facing an uphill, 165-yard second shot into the wind, Jawororski punched a 7-iron that covered the flagstick, danced around the hole then fell into the cup for an eagle two. At 71, Jaworoski is 1-under and in eighth place just two shots off the pace.
The second round of the 19th Russell C. Palmer Cup will begin tomorrow morning at 7:35 a.m. with the final round to follow in the afternoon. The top 39 players and ties made the cut.
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.
