THOMPSON, Connecticut – The Final Round of the New England Senior Amateur Championship was contested on a cloudy, yet pleasant day, at Quinnatisset Country Club.
 
It was anything but a walk in the park, but overnight leader Andy Drohen (The Ranch GC, MA) was able to slam the door shut with an incredible up-and-down for birdie on the final hole to take home the New England Senior Amateur Championship.
 
Craig Steckowych (Portsmouth CC, NH) mounded a furious comeback, playing the final five holes at 3-under-par to claim the Super Senior Championship.
 
ONLINE: RESULTS | PAST CHAMPIONS

Senior Championship Final Leaderboard
1 – Andy Drohen (MA); 66-72 (-6)
T2 – Dean Godek (MA); 71-68 (-5)
T2 – David Marshall (CT); 71-68 (-5)
T4 – Doug Clapp (MA); 71-69 (-4)
T4 – Timothy Murray (CT); 68-72 (-4)
 
Senior Championship
Early in the day, it looked like newly minted senior, Andy Drohen was going to pick up where he left off yesterday, and easily birdie his way to victory. A couple of opening pars followed by back-to-back birdies put Drohen at -8 and out in front.
 
Hometown favorites Timothy Murray (Quinnatisset CC, CT) and David Marshall (Quinnatisset CC, CT) hung around the top of the leaderboard for the entire day. Joining them was former champion Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC, MA), Dean Godek (Agawam Municipal GC, MA), as well as a smattering of others.
 
As the clock read 4:45 p.m., there were six players either tied or within one shot of the lead.
 
But what makes golf such a beautiful game is the rhythm of rounds and the ability for late fireworks, especially when a reachable par-5 is awaiting on 18.
 
At first it looked like Clapp was set to etch his name on the trophy once again, as he was four-under on his round through 12 holes. As his round slowed, it was Godek’s that started humming. After a birdie on the par-5 14th, Godek played a crafty, low chip into the face of the hill on the par-3 15th, perfectly deadening the ball. As the ball released off the hill it slowly inched its way towards the hole, before falling for birdie.

After Godek’s birdie bid on the closing hole lipped out, it was Marshall who looked primed to grab victory. But like Godek, his birdie bid was no good, setting the stage for Drohen.
 
The forgotten man, the one that came into the day leading, needed a birdie on the last to win the championship.
 
“I leave the phone in the car, because work gets in the way of that,” joked Drohen in explaining that he was unaware of his standing coming into the final hole. “I was playing with Tim there, and I kind of thought Tim was, I think he was one back, and I figured he was going to make a birdie there. So I was just trying to make the birdie (to) hold him off that, so I had no idea what's going on with the field.”
 
Nevertheless, Drohen found himself greenside in two, but well left of the green. A high, soft pitch landed loudly on the green and bounded past the hole for Drohen. After a full examination, Drohen stepped up and buried the long birdie putt for the win.
 
“It's been good to be the young guy again,” added Drohen. “Been looking forward to being old for a long time, so getting in that range of 50 years old and above, and can't really compete with the young guys anymore. So, it's kind of good to compete with the all the old legends again.”
 
Super Senior Championship Final Leaderboard
1 – Craig Steckowych (NH); 74-69 (-1)
2 – Kevin Carey (MA); 72-74 (+2)
3 – Donald Reycroft (MA); 74-73 (+3)
4 – John Herbert (CT); 74-74 (+4)
5 – Richard Stevens (CT); 74-75 (+5)
 
Super Senior Championship
Craig Steckowych, of Portsmouth Country Club in New Hampshire, doesn’t consider himself a Super Senior, but he played spectacular during the two-day event to finish as the champion in that division. He was the only Super Senior to shoot below par, posting 74-69 – 143 (1-under). Despite a double-bogey on his second hole of Round 2, he settled down and cruised to victory with seven birdies. It’s been nearly a year to the day since Steckowych won the New Hampshire Senior Match Play Championship at the Golf Club of New England Sept. 19, 2023 in Stratham, N.H. He continued his New England success this week at Quinnatisset Country Club.
 
Top Finishers From Each State
Connecticut – David Marshall (T2)
New Hampshire – Craig Steckowych (T9)
Maine – Thomas Caron (T65)
Massachusetts – Andy Drohen (Winner)
Rhode Island – Jeffrey Dantas (T15)
Vermont – Greg Birsky (T44)
 
What’s Next
The New England Senior Amateur Championship was the final event on the New England Golf Association calendar for 2024. Next year, this event will be contested in Maine at site that yet to be determined.

THOMPSON, Connecticut – It took a bit longer for Mother Nature to awaken on Tuesday. Thanks to lingering, heavy fog, the first round of the New England Amateur Championship at Quinnatisset Country Club was delayed by one hour.

The wait was worth it. What unfolded was a picture-perfect day accompanied by a gentle breath of wind. Outside of the occasional tee shot, the only break in silence was that of race cars accelerating their way around Thompson Speedway, located 3 miles through the woods.

With one day of play in the books, Andy Drohen (The Ranch GC, MA) leads the way in the Senior Championship at 6-under-par, and Kevin Carey (Dennis Pines GC, MA) sits atop the Super Senior Championship leaderboard at even par.
 
ONLINE: LEADERBOARD | ROUND 2 STARTING TIMES | EVENT HOMEPAGE
 
With two holes left in his round, former Massachusetts Amateur Champion Andy Drohen sat one back of the lead. On 17, he became just the fourth player to birdie the hole on the day, pulling into a share of the clubhouse lead. Then, on the par-5 finisher, Drohen hit a nifty little downhill chip that came to rest six feet from the hole.

The short, hard-breaking putt tried to sneak past the left edge, but caught just enough of the hole to spin a full 360° before dropping. The birdie vaulted Drohen into the lead heading into Wednesday’s final round.

On a day when the navigating the greens seemed to be of utmost importance, Criag Platt (Mill River CC, CT) was the quickest to get there. After missing his first green of the day (hole 10), he went on to hit the next 17 in a row.

“The key was no three-putts today,” said Platt. “That was my goal coming in, just hitting a lot of greens, and not trying to three-putt.”
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Platt is no stranger to this stage, or position. He was the leader after one round of play back in 2022 at Black Rock CC (MA). That year he held his own in the final round, and finished T3, but was bested by Doug Clapp (Old Sandwich GC, MA) who fired a 65 to claim victory.

“Two years ago, I was in the same position, so hopefully I can finish it off this year and get it done.”

Former Champion (2021) John McNeill (Amateur Golf Tour of NE, MA) is also still in contention after shooting even-par (72) in the opening round. And while the leaderboard shows McNeill at level, his round was anything but.

“I probably won’t make a 47-footer tomorrow, but if I don’t hit it in the water on nine, yeah,” added McNeill. “Golf isn’t always about getting what you deserve. But, you know, overall, I had some bad breaks, some good breaks, even par – I am happy to take it.”

The New England Senior Amateur is a no-cut event, where players are re-paired for the final round, which is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. The leaders will tee off at approximately 1:45 p.m.
 
Super Senior Championship
One of the unique aspects of the New England Senior Amateur Championship is the fact that it is essentially two championships in one. All players in the field play the same tee set and are eligible for the Senior Championship. Those players ages 65 and older are also eligible for the Super Senior Championship.

Leading the way amongst the Super Seniors is Kevin Carey (Dennis Pines GC, MA). His round was highlighted by an eagle on the 17th hole, and birdie on the 18th.

Bob Reni (CC of New Bedford, MA) is just one back of the lead after offsetting four bogies with three birdies in carding a 73 (+1).
A couple of Massachusetts stalwarts Jack Kearney (Westover GC, MA) and Donald Reycroft (Bayberry Hills/Bass River, MA) are lingering close behind, having shot 74 (+2).

Alongside them at 2-over-par is Craig Steckowych (Portsmouth CC, NH), a former New England Amateur Champion, who made five birdies on the day, including two-straight to close out his round.

“I four-putted twice today, so you get kind of sensitive to it,” said Steckowych in describing the birdie on nine, his last hole of the day. “So, I hit the putt. It was a bad putt. Happened to go in. You saw me walk off, I was like ‘got no chance’, and it went in.”

Steckowych also echoed what many others were saying about the test at Quinnatisset. “If you leave the shots in all the right places, you can do okay here. I made some birdies, but I made a couple of doubles too, and it’s easy to do.”

Also at 2-over-par is John Herbert (Rockledge, CT), Richard Stevens (EClub of Connecticut).
 
Ace Alert
Playing the par-3, 7th hole on Tuesday, Thomas Caron (Bangor Municipal GC, ME) took an 8-iron and knocked it in the hole. It was the second ace of his career. His first also came during a competitive round, some years back at Waterville CC during the Maine Amateur Championship. Luckily for Caron’s wallet, Quinnatisset does not sell beverages of the adult type, on site.
 
Senior Championship Leaderboard
1 – Andy Drohen (MA); 66 (-6)
2 – Craig Platt (CT); 67 (-5)
3 – Timothy Murray (CT); 68 (-4)
4 – Jeff Fisher (MA); (-2)
 
Top Scores From Each State
Connecticut – Craig Platt; 67 (-5)
New Hampshire – Craig Steckowych; 74 (+2)
Maine – Thomas Caron; 77 (+5)
Massachusetts – Andy Drohen; 66 (-6)
Rhode Island – Brian O’Leary; 73 (+1)
Vermont – Greg Birsky; 78 (+6)

About Quinnatisset Country Club
Like many golf courses situated alongside state borders in New England, Quinnatisset Country Club (Thompson, CT) is a proud member club of both the Connecticut State Golf Association and the Rhode Island Golf Association.

The golf course was originally constructed as a 9-hole layout in 1901 by over 200 craftsmen and laborers, imported from Italy. The group cleared 100 acres of woodland, built magnificent stone walls, and laid out what was probably the first significant golf facility in Northeastern Connecticut.

In addition to the huge walls surrounding and running through the course, the Italian craftsmen constructed a large stone water tower standing alongside the first tee, and four large stones cairns around the pond.  The water tower and wells not only supplied water for the course but for several area farms and houses.  The massive stone walls, which greatly add to the beauty and uniqueness of the property, were large enough for the owner, Norman B. Ream, to walk his horse on as he supervised the construction of the course.

The 9-hole course opened in 1901 and expanded to 18-holes in 1966. The course was then reconstructed by Roger Rulewich in 2004, which brought a completely new layout to the storied land.

It is now a course which rivals all in the area. Quinnatisset Golf Course has contributed to the cultural significance and played a colorful role in the lifestyle of the community for over a century. Today it provides a means of recreation for over 400 members residing in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, who come to challenge the par 72 layout.
 
*Source - Quinnatisset Country Club

HAMPDEN, Massachusetts - The New England Junior Amateur Championship is an event unlike others seen on a young golfers' slate throughout the year. The invitational, featuring boys and girls aged 18 and under from the hexad of New England states, is like a brief stay at summer camp. Sporting matching shirts corresponding with the state they represent, the event presents one the opportunity to share memories and bond over laughter with their fellow statewide competitors. That was especially the case Monday afternoon when impromptu indoor putting contests replaced the previously scheduled second 18-hole round, which was canceled due to inclement weather. 
While this week is part showcase, much of it presented an opportunity to soak up the last moments of summer and share some laughter along the way before the players all go their separate ways for the new school year — several to their long-awaited college destinations. 
In the meantime, their talents were on display at a course, unlike many others, GreatHorse, which often draws the same reaction as watching the collective talent in the field, "Woah." That was indeed the case in the first of two 18-hole rounds Monday, as New England Amateur champion CJ Winchenbaugh raced out to a lead at 7-under-par 65, sinking a 20-foot eagle putt on his second hole of the day (par-5 8th) and adding six birdies to lift Team Massachusetts, the defending team champion on the boys side.
On the girls' side, New Hampshire women's amateur champion Carys Fennessy also opened a commanding lead. The College of Charleston verbal commit was the only player under par in the morning (1-under 73). Her score puts Team New Hampshire in the lead as the Granite State tries to capture its first girls team title.
Format: Seven boy golfers and three girl golfers from each of the New England state golf associations are selected to compete in a team and individual stroke play competition. Boys and girls will compete for separate team and individual titles. Team scores are calculated by taking the best five out of seven scores each day for the Boys’ Division and the best two out of three scores for the Girls’ Division. The low team score will be named the team champion, while the low individual will be named the individual champion. A playoff will be used to determine individual champions.
Online: Leaderboard | Event Homepage

Winchenbaugh is plenty familiar with the GreatHorse track, having made it to the final match in the Mass Junior Amateur just over a year ago when he faced his fellow teammate this week, Carson Erick. It showed. Winchenbaugh was firing at pins throughout the round, hitting 17 greens, including two approach shots within 6 feet on the 18th and 1st holes, and making both birdie putts. He then buried a 20-footer for his sixth and final birdie, placing him at 7-under.
"I love this golf course," said Winchenbaugh, who will depart for Georgetown on Thursday. "I played so many rounds here in the past 1-2 years that I know where to leave myself, so I gave myself a bunch of good looks and made some putts."
As for finishing out his junior golf tenure here, "Even though I'm one of the older guys, it doesn't feel like I'm like a leader, but I've known everyone on this team for so long, and it kind of just feels like you're playing with your friends.
Stennett, his calling card being mismatched blue and white FootJoy Classics, has also played GreatHorse several times over the years. The Connecticut Junior Amateur winner finished two strokes off the lead, making eagle on the par-5 2nd to shoot a bogey-free, 5-under 31 on the front nine. Eli Spaulding, who won the Maine Amateur and competed in the U.S. Amateur last week, nearly had a bogey-free round, only giving one back on the par-4 18th, but playing the remaining 16 holes at 5-under. He'll play alongside Winchenbaugh on Tuesday.
On the girls' side, Carys Fennessy continued her solid summer campaign as she was the lone player on the girls' side to finish in the red figures. Despite not getting a chance to play much of the starting stretch thanks to a curtailed practice round the day prior, Fennessy made a birdie on the seventh and ninth to finish 2-under on the front nine, adding another birdie on the getable par-5 14th to take a six-stroke lead into Tuesday.
"It's a great course, and the greens are quick so you definitely have to be focused the entire time that you're playing," said Fennessy, who added she was most captivated by the par-5 8th which opens up to reveal the water hazard on the right, bunkers on the left and OB, plus bunkers scattered all over the fairway and over the green. "It's rewarding if you hit good shots." 
What's also rewarding is an opportunity to connect with teammates she's seen throughout her junior golf upbringing."I travel a lot during the summer, so this is probably one of the only events where I get to see the kids that I grew up playing in events with," she said. "It's always a fun time, and I look forward to this event every year."
Lillian Guleserian and Mya Murphy, who made deep runs in the Mass Girls' Junior Amateur two weeks prior, finished tied with a 78. Each made birdie on the opening hole, with Guleserian starting strongly with a birdie on two of the first three. Guleserian, a Penn State Verbal commit, and Murphy, who will attend Merrimack College this fall, will play in the final girls' group.
​Their teammate Maddie Smith is in a three-way tie for fourth at 79 (+6) with Lily Dessel and Olivia Williams of Rhode Island, the defending girls team champions. Dessel won the Rhode Island girls' junior amateur two weeks prior.

LACONIA, New Hampshire – In three of the past four years, the player who has won the New England Amateur has held at least a share of the lead through Round 2. That looks promising for 2020 champion John Broderick (Dedham C&PC), who sits in the top spot at 8-under-par through the first 36 holes of the 95th New England Amateur Championship, taking place at first-time host Laconia Country Club (6,813 yards, par-72). 
Round 2 on Wednesday was delayed by weather in the afternoon for 71 minutes, however, play was able to finish as 67 players made the cut, which settled at 3-over. The final 18-hole round begins Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Players will compete in twosomes Thursday, with the leaders set to tee off at 12:10 p.m. 
Online: Leaderboard | Event Homepage | Past Champions
For the second straight day, Broderick kept a clean card. The Vanderbilt lefty made birdie on the holes 1-2 for the second straight day, and despite a bogey on the par-5 17th, he answered with a birdie on the 18th to finish the day with a one-stroke lead.
“I played smart. I hit a lot of greens and made good decisions in terms of where I was leaving the ball," Broderick told the New Hampshire Union Leader after Wednesday's round. "I hit it to spots and tried to two-putt.” 
One stroke back is Elliott Spaulding (Brunswick GC), who is fresh off his victory in the Maine Amateur Championship. The Loyola University incoming freshman who set the bar for lowest round of the tournament so far with a 6-under 66. Mathew Gover (Atkinson Resort & CC-NH), then matched Spaulding in the afternoon with a 66 of his own.
Spaulding made four consecutive birdies on holes 2-6, adding another on the 9th to shoot 32 on the front nine, making three more birdies on the back. Gover, who won the MASCAC individual title this past fall as a member of the Mass College of Liberal Arts men's golf team, shot 5-under 31 over his final nine Wednesday (holes 1-9) to move into solo third place, two strokes back of Broderick.
​“Made seven birdies each day, but fewer mistakes (Wednesday),” Gover said afterward. “I’m definitely happy with the way I’ve played these two days because this summer has been a struggle. “I’m in the mix, but I’d say it’s going to take a really good day (Thursday). It’s going to be a fun day.”
Sitting just three off the lead are UConn's Connor Good (Glastonbury Hills CC) and Temple's Ethan Whitney, while Rhode Island amateur champion Bobby Leopold is in solo sixth at 4-under.  Austin Giroux (Newport CC-VT), the leader among Vermont players, fired a bogey-free round of 2-under, and is among 11 tied in 9th place. 
Leaderboard
1 - John Broderick, Dedham Country & Polo Club (MA); -8
2 - Eli Spaulding, Brunswick CC (ME); -7
3 - Mathew Gover, Atkinson Resort & CC (NH); -6
T4 - Connor Goode, Glastonbury Hills CC (CT); -5
T4 - Ethan Whitney, Oak Hill CC (MA); -5
6 - Bobby Leopold, Wannamoisett CC (RI); -4
T7 - Ronald Kelton, Purpoodock Club (ME); -3
T7 - Tyler Cooke, Woodland GC (RI); -3
Top Scores From Each State
Connecticut – T4 (-5) Connor Goode, Glastonbury Hills CC; Alex Elia, Silver Spring CC
New Hampshire – 3 (-6)  Mathew Gover, Atkinson Resort & CC
Maine – 2 (-7) Elliott Spaulding, Brunswick GC
Massachusetts – 1 (-8) John Broderick, Dedham Country & Polo Club
Rhode Island – 6 (-4) Bobby Leopold, Wannamoisett CC
Vermont –  T9 (-2) Austin Giroux, Newport CC
_
About Laconia Country Club
Established in 1922, Laconia Country Club is nestled in the picturesque Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The championship layout 6,813-yard, par 72 course, reimagined by Wogan & Sargent in 2002, honors the inherent beauty and intent of the original design while ensuring playability at all levels. The property spans more than 200 acres of pure natural beauty with undulating terrain and grand stands of mature trees lining forgiving fairways. The practice facilities are some of the largest in New Hampshire: 8,000-square-feet of putting surfaces, 28,000 yards of natural grass driving range, and a short-game area with sand bunkers and plenty of space to practice pitching.
This is the first time Laconia has hosted the New England Amateur, with Baker Hill GC being the state's most recent host in 2015. Craig Steckowych (2001) is the most recent New Hampshire player to win the tournament. 
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“I definitely want to focus more on my wedge and iron approaches into greens but keep trying to hit the ball straight and down the middle of the fairways. I think that would definitely be best to keep scoring low and making birdies” said Fennessy.
Trailing closely all day was Connecticut's Amelie Phung who finished even on the round and 1-over for solo-second. Massachusetts’ Lillian Guleserian sits three back in third.
In the senior championship, Tara-Joy Connelly (MA) maintained a steady lead over Pam Kuong (MA). Joy-Connelly carded 2 birdies on the back nine to round out day 2 and remains the only player in the field under par. 

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“Wind came from three different directions today. Starting on one we were downwind, so I was trying to keep my wedge under the wind and that didn’t work out. SO that was a change of gameplan out of the gate when I went over one and bogeyed” said Joy-Connelly.
“So then I just kept it low and in front of me for the rest of the front nine, and then it died down at the turn. We thought maybe some thunder, and then just completely got docile. The wins came from the other direction the last couple of holes and I was just trying to figure it out.  And it was so nice when it finally calmed down.”
In terms of the final round at stake and the changes in weather on the course, Joy-Connelly has plans to read where the wind blows and take it from there. 
“I definitely was over reading the putts. They were a little crispier and dried out so I was over reading them. I think they were a whole lot faster today. I’m kind of judging on the conditions [for tomorrow]. I know it was supposed to rain overnight. I’m sure the wind is usually always up here. So I will take it from there.”
Closing out the top-5 in the senior division were Natalie Galligan (MA) and Sue Curtin (MA) tied in third and Ruth Colucci (ME) in fifth with a one-stroke difference. 
In the Legends Championship, Thea Davis (ME) retains her lead going into day 3. With a 5-stroke lead over Kathi O’Grady (ME) and a 7-stoke lead over Danielle Lee (MA). 
The cut was made at the end of round 2 with the top 25 players from each tee set. Round 3 will begin Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. where the tournament division will tee off first followed by the championship scores high to low. 

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Championship Top - 5 Round 1 Leaderboard (By State):
Connecticut 
2. Amelie Phung, (eClub of Connecticut);  72 (+1)
T10. Alexandra Phung, (Gillette Ridge GC)); 76 (+5)
T18. Kenna Roman, (Shuttle Meadow CC); 80 (+9)
T20. Cindy Cao, (USGA/CSGA GC); 81 (+10)
T20. Morgan Peterson, (eClub of Connecticut); 81 (+10)
Massachusetts 
T4. Megan Buck (Thorny Lea GC)); 74 (+4 )
T6. Lillian Guleserian (Blue Hill CC); 75 (+5)
T6.  Amanda Adams (Winchester CC); 75 (+4)
T6. Maddie Smith (Vesper CC); 75 (+4)
T10. Skylar Kotzen (Belmot CC); 76 (+5)

New Hampshire
3. Carys Fennessy, (Cochecho CC); 73 (+2)
T20. Delaney Nadeau, (Cochecho CC); 81 (+10)
T28. Teagan Nadeau, (Cochecho CC); 83 (+12)
T31. Nicole Butkus, (Abenaqui CC); 88 (+17)
T33. Tara Watt, (Derryfield CC); 89 (+18)
Rhode Island
T6. ​Adriana Eaton, (Kirkbrae CC); 75 (+4)
T15. Kylie Eaton, (Kirkbrae CC); 78 (+7)
Vermont
33. Kanika Gandhi, (Vermont National CC); 85 ( +14)
38. Jazz Bruce, (Links at Lang Farm); 98 (+27)
Maine
1. Jade Haylock, (Turner Highlands CC); 69 (-2)
T4. Maria Cianchette, (Woodlands Club); 74 ( +3 )
T26. Ruby Haylock (Turner Highlands CC); 82 (+11)
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