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Note: Play at the Connecticut Amateur was suspended at 5:35pm on Monday for dangerous weather conditions. Round one play will resume at 7:00am on Tuesday, with round two beginning at 7:30am.
On a day that saw high winds, one hundred twenty-five of Connecticut’s best amateur golfers made their way around the 6,540 yard, par-72 layout. Twelve players are currently under par as play was suspended for dangerous weather at 5:35pm. Play will resume at 7am to complete round one, with round two expected to start on time at 7:30am.
With ten groups left to complete their opening rounds, Nick Cook of Tashua Knolls Golf Course sits atop the leaderboard after firing a 6-under par 66 in round one of the 115th Connecticut Amateur presented by Kota Business Solutions. The state’s most prestigious amateur championship is being conducted June 19th-23rd at Tashua Knolls Golf Course in Trumbull, Connecticut.
“There is a definite comfort level here, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” said Cook. “I want to go out tomorrow and enjoy the day, and hopefully play well. I went through some dark times with my game a number of years ago when I was playing professionally, and now it is just not life and death on every shot. I had my wife and my mom out here with me today, and with family and career as priorities, golf is more enjoyable now.”
Cook, who carded eight birdies during his round, holds a two shot advantage over Richard Dowling (Eclub of Connecticut). Four players have completed their rounds at 3-under, just three strokes back.
There are four past champions in the field, with Dave Szewczul of Tunxis Plantation Country Club (1978) leading the pack after firing a one under par 71 in the morning wave. 1999 Connecticut Amateur Champion Brian Ahern of Wampanoag Country Club finished his round at two over par.
As play continues on Tuesday, players will be vying for a spot in the top 32, as the field of 125 is cut for match play. It will take five wins in match play for the eventual champion to etch their name on the Connecticut Amateur trophy, equating to a total of eight rounds of golf and approximately 144 holes in five days.
Following Tuesday’s round, the low thirty-two players will advance to match play. Currently, there are 43 players at +2 or better (T-28), with another 11 players just one shot back. A playoff to determine the last spot(s) in match play will begin immediately at the conclusion of Tuesday’s round at approximately 6:00 p.m.
