Watertown, Connecticut (July 6, 2021) – Christian Yanovitch was one of the first players out on Tuesday morning at Watertown Golf Club, Jack Bosworth was one of the last. Both players fired 4-under 67s to share medalist honors at the 80th Connecticut Junior Amateur.
“I just focused on hitting fairways and greens, hitting to the center of the greens,” Yanovitch said. “Then the putter got hot and stayed hot basically the whole day.”
Yanovitch (EClub of Connecticut), playing in the event for the first time, got off to a quick start with a birdie on the par-5 first to kick start a run of four birdies in the first seven holes. “I made a lot of 15-footers today. I played mostly to the middle of the green.”
The 18-year-old headed to Division II Northeastern State in Oklahoma to play golf in the fall stumbled early on his back nine with bogeys on the 11th and 13th holes before rebounding to close in impressive fashion with birdies on Nos. 16 and 18.
Just moments after walking off the course Yanovitch was already thinking about what Wednesday’s match play could bring. “I haven’t played in a match play event before but I don’t think it will change my mindset,” said Yanovitch who will be the top-seed as a result of his early finish. “I will try and just stick to my plan.”
Jack Bosworth (EClub of Connecticut) qualified for match play for the sixth consecutive year and will enter tomorrow’s Round of 32 as the No. 2 seed in a prime position to go deeper than his semifinal run last year. Bosworth put together a bogey-free round playing each side in 2-under-par.
“My goal in qualifying is to not make anything worse than bogey,” Bosworth said. “I mean that is always the goal in qualifying and if you don’t make a big number on a hole you should be fine.”
Bosworth rolled in a birdie on No. 1 and then found his second of the day the par-4 sixth. Following his birdie on No. 6 Bosworth parred the next nine holes to remain 2-under with three holes remaining.
Playing the par-5 16th Bosworth rolled in the third birdie of his round before ending his day with some fireworks by chipping in for birdie on the par-4 18th hole. Now Bosworth turns his attention to match play. “In match play I will absolutely just hit driver everywhere and make as many birdies as possible.”
13-year-old Jack Chung (Greenwich Country Club) and defending champion Matt Doyle (Madison Country Club) both posted 1-under 70 to share third while Alex Elia (Silver Spring Country Club), Ben Loomis (Country Club of New Canaan), and Chad Ruggiero (Burning Tree Country Club) shared fifth at level-par 71.
Among the players advancing to match play is 12-year-old Will Lord out of Suffield Country Club. Lord carded a 2-over 73 to share 11th place.
Immediately after play concluded a thunderstorm hit the course delaying play with a 9-for-3 playoff still needing to be contested to determine the final spots in the match play bracket. After a delay of more than an hour play resumed with Bennett Ostern (Hop Meadow Country Club), Connor Goode (Glastonbury Hills Country Club), and Conner Quinn (Madison Country Club) advancing.
Match play will begin Wednesday morning with the Round of 32 followed by the Round of 16 in the afternoon. Thursday will include the quarterfinals and semifinals with the 18 hole title match scheduled to be played on Friday morning.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Junior Amateur is one of 19 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.
