Kensington, Connecticut (June 2, 2025) – For the eighth time the Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health will be contested at Shuttle Meadow Country Club. A talented field of 129 players including six past champions will compete across five days at the par-71 6,550 yard Willie Park, Jr. designed layout. This year’s field will be highlighted by three-time champion Rick Dowling, 2013 winner Cody Paladino, and Jackson Roman, the 2024 Connecticut Open winner, who will be competing on his home course.
“Shuttle Meadow CC has been involved with the CSGA dating back to 1899,” said Shuttle Meadow CC head professional Ian Marshall. “Our membership and leadership have always believed in giving back to the Connecticut golf community. We enjoy showcasing our rich club history and spectacular Willie Park, Jr. designed course. We look forward to continuing our involvement with hosting CSGA events for years to come.”
The last time Shuttle Meadow CC hosted a CSGA event was the Connecticut Open in 2023. This time, however, match play strategy will take center stage.
“The Meadow will set up as a great venue for a match play championship,” Marshall continued. “We have some very strong opening holes that should provide a challenge as the match begins. Once players get to the back nine, there are birdies to be made if approach shots are well placed.”
Marshall continued saying, “Our finishing holes will provide some excitement.” That closing stretch includes the long and difficult par-3 15th, the short par-4 16th, and a challenging par-4 17th before concluding with the reachable par-5 closing hole.
The 125th Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health will begin on Monday, June 9 at 7:30 a.m. with the first day of stroke play qualifying. Qualifying will conclude on Tuesday with the field being cut to the top 32 players. Match play will begin on Wednesday with the Round of 32 and 16, followed by the quarterfinals and semifinals on Thursday. The week will conclude on Friday with the 36-hole championship match.
Notes on the Field:
Number of Players: 129
Past Champions (7): Rick Dowling (2017, 2019, 2023), Ben Conroy (2018), Cody Paladino (2013), Matt Smith (2012), Brian Hedstrom (1997, 2002), Bill Hermanson (1991), Dave Szewczul (1978)
Players to Watch:
North Chery (Great River GC): The 2024 Connecticut Junior Amateur runner-up is committed to DePaul.
Jack Chung: The Duke commit reached the championship match last year at Torrington Country Club.
Rick Dowling (Golf Performance Center): The three-time champion will be looking to make CSGA history. If Dowling were to win the Connecticut Amateur, he would become just the third player to win the title four times. He would join Fred Kask as a four-time winner and move within one victory of matching the all-time mark of five set by Richard Siderowf.
Adam Friedman (Great River GC): The 2024 Connecticut Public Links winner reached the quarterfinals last year, the Round of 16 in 2023, and the semifinals in 2021. Last month, Friedman finished T6 at the Russell C. Palmer Cup.
Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills CC): A standout for the UConn golf team, Goode was recently named to the PING All-Northeast Region Team. In 2023, Goode reached the Round of 16 at the Connecticut Amateur and last year the 2021 Connecticut Junior Amateur winner lost the Russell C. Palmer Cup in a playoff.
Ashton Lewis (H. Smith Richardson GC): After a strong 2024, Lewis is off to a good start in 2025 having finished T2 at the Russell C. Palmer Cup. Last year, Lewis reached the semifinals of the Connecticut Amateur and reached a playoff at the Connecticut Public Links.
Cody Paladino (Hartford GC): The 2013 champion has been the runner-up in the Connecticut Amateur three times since 2020. Last year, Paladino won the Russell C. Palmer Cup and the Connecticut Mid-Amateur.
Jake Portugal (Richter Park GC): The Fairleigh Dickinson standout captured the Russell C. Palmer Cup last month.
Jackson Roman (Shuttle Meadow CC): A semifinalist in 2022, Roman made match play each of the last two years. Roman won the 2024 Connecticut Open.
Bradley Sawka (Ellington Ridge CC): The rising junior at UConn was the co-medalist last year at Torrington Country Club.
Mike Rothberg (Mill River CC): A semifinalist last year, Rothberg earned All-MAAC First Team honors during his junior year for Sacred Heart.
Luke Stennett (eClub of Connecticut): The 2024 Connecticut Junior Amateur winner had a stellar freshman season at the University of Rhode Island. Highlighted by earning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year honors, Stennett finished in the top 10 in all but one event during his freshman season. His best finish was a victory at The Rutherford Intercollegiate.
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.
