(February 11, 2026) – In 2026, for the eighth time, the Connecticut Amateur presented by Middlesex Health will head to Wampanoag Country Club. Set to be played from June 9-13, Wampanoag CC will open its doors to the best amateurs in Connecticut for the first time since 2003. Ahead of this year’s event we took a look at the past Connecticut Amateur winners at Wampanoag CC.
Connecticut Amateur Past Champions
2003 – Justin Goodhue
Justin Goodhue, playing in the title match for a second straight year, was in bad shape as he played the 23rd hole of the title match. Sitting 5 down with his ball resting behind a greenside tree, it looked as if it wasn’t going to be his day.
Then everything in his match with Steve Velardi changed. Goodhue hit a remarkable chip shot that clipped a branch and came to rest eight feet from the pin, setting up a par and turning the tide of the match.
From there, Goodhue went on a run, birdieing four of the next six holes while Velardi bogeyed six of the next seven holes. The combination of the two runs allowed Goodhue to rally all the way back and take the lead.
Remarkably, Goodhue closed out the match on the 16th hole. “Like anything else it’s a game of momentum,” Goodhue, a recent University of Virginia graduate, told the Hartford Courant. “When it got to 5-down, 4-down, then 3-down I could feel it turning. Even though he was still leading, I felt I could hit solid shots and let him make mistakes.”
Despite the crushing defeat, Steve Velardi would get his revenge, winning the title one year later at The Patterson Club.
1982 – William L. Hadden III
The future Connecticut Golf Hall of Famer bested Jack Curran 5&4 to win the first of his two Connecticut Amateur titles.
A long hitter, Hadden III played the eight par-5s in 6-under to create the necessary separation before ending the day with a 30-foot birdie putt on the 32nd hole.
After the match, Hadden III told the Hartford Courant, “I guess you could say I won it in style. This is a title I wanted badly.”
1973 – John Parsons
John Parsons began the week by earning medalist honors and then ended the week as the champion.
In the title match, Parsons squared off against Jay Torda, and thanks to skilled iron play and some clutch putting, he pulled out a 4&2 victory.
Parsons played steady golf in the morning round and held a 1-up advantage at the break before pulling away during the afternoon round for a comfortable victory.
1962 – Robert Allen
In a title match against Dick Siderowf, Robert Allen emerged with a 4&3 victory.
Allen, competing on his home course, never trailed in the match and led 3 up after 18 holes. The lead was extended to 5-up after 30 holes before Allen closed out his triumph a short time later.
1955 – Richard L. Siderowf
It was in 1955 at Wampanoag CC that the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame career of Dick Siderowf kicked into full gear. In the championship match, Siderwof bested Ernie Gerardi 1 up to at the time become the youngest player to win the Connecticut Amateur.
Just 17 years old, Siderowf led 2 up during the afternoon round only to watch on as Gerardi tied the match with victories on the 26th and 27th holes of the day.
The match remained tight down the stretch with Siderowf regaining the lead after a remarkable second shot over some trees on the 33rd hole of the day. That victory proved to be the margin of victory.
For Siderowf, the victory was his first of five Connecticut Amateur titles over a 30-year span that ran until 1985.
1939 – Anthony Kosinski
With four birdies in the first six holes, Anthony Kosinski sprinted out to an early lead on his way to capturing a 4&3 victory over Bill Schappa.
For Kosinski, the victory was his third Connecticut Amateur title in six years.
1930 – Frank Ross
Playing on his home course, Frank Ross captured the second of his two Connecticut Amateur titles with a 7&5 win over Robinson Cook.
The match was tight after 18 holes, with Ross leading just 1-up, and it was still close after Cook tied the match with a birdie on the 21st hole.
From the moment the match was tied, Ross, a member of the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame, was able to find another gear, winning seven of the next 10 holes to close out the match on No. 13.
Information and photos provided by the Hartford Courant.
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 yea
