Kensington, Connecticut (June 10, 2025) – Rick Dowling slogged his way to rounds of 66-64 to finish 12-under and earn medalist honors at the 123rd Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health.
The three-time Connecticut Amateur champion opened his week at Shuttle Meadow Country Club with a 5-under 66 and then followed it up with a flawless 7-under 64 in the final round of stroke play qualifying. Over the course of 36 holes, Dowling (Golf Performance Center) has registered 11 birdies, an eagle, and just one bogey. That bogey came on his fifth hole of the tournament, the par-4 14th.
Speaking about his Tuesday round, Dowling said, “I didn’t know how I would come out after shooting a good round yesterday, so to get a birdie on my first hole was good. Then it was off to the races, so to speak.”
Following his opening birdie, Dowling strung together five pars in a row before recording a second birdie on the par-5 seventh. Another run of pars followed before Dowling caught fire down the stretch, recording birdies on Nos. 13, 15, and 16 to reach 10-under heading to the last.
With a light rain falling as Dowling played the short closing par-5 he split the fairway and had just 197 yards into a front pin location. With a choked-down 4 iron in hand, Dowling stuffed his second shot, leaving himself just five feet for eagle. On a day when everything was working, there was never a doubt as Dowling rolled in the eagle putt to conclude a stellar round that left him standing alone atop the leaderboard.
However, despite the lights out play, Dowling knows that everything resets once match play begins, “I just want to keep playing well and we will see what happens. Match play is an all-or-nothing animal, so I’m glad I got through, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”
Rounding out the top five were first round co-leaders Jackson Roman (Shuttle Meadow CC) and Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills CC), both of whom finished 10-under in a tie for second place. In fourth place it was Adam Friedman (Great River GC) at 6-under, while Daniel Casanta (Ridgewood CC) finished 5-under to take fifth place.
The final spot in the bracket was determined in a 6-for-1 playoff with Ashton Lewis (H. Smith Richardson GC) advancing.
Play will continue on Wednesday morning at 7:30 a.m. with the Round of 32 followed by the Round of 16 in the afternoon. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be played on Thursday, with the 36-hole championship match set for Friday.
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.
