72nd Junior Amateur Preview
For the fifty eighth time , the state ’ s top junior golfers will gather once again at Watertown Golf Club for the opportunity to claim the 72nd Connecticut Junior Amateur Championship . Presented by Cobra Puma Golf , the championship is open to all Connecticut junior golfers who have not reached their eighteenth birthday by the start of the event .
Watertown Golf Club was established in 1915 and was originally a nine hole course on the property of the Taft Boarding School . In 1931 an additional nine holes were added and a Clubhouse was constructed . In 1970 , nine holes were crafted into the hillside north of the Clubhouse and nine holes were built adjacent to the Clubhouse to replace the original nine hole course .
The inaugural Connecticut Junior Amateur was held in 1937 at Shuttle Meadow Country Club and was won by Harrison Leete of Plymouth Meadow . Since 1952 , Watertown Golf Club has hosted the Junior Amateur all but two years ( 1959 and 1978 ).
New for 2013 , Cobra Puma Golf will be the presenting sponsor for the championship and will have a significant role at Watertown Golf Club throughout the week . In addition to providing prizes for the top finishers at the tournament , Cobra Puma will also offer an exclusive club fitting and demo program in which all contestants will be able to participate . In addition , juniors will also have access to PUMA Golf ’ s Tour-proven footwear and accessories .
In 2012 , Co-Medalist and number one seed John VanDerLann of Heritage Village Country Club defeated Patrick Hallisey of Shuttle Meadow Country Club 3 & 1 to claim the 71st Connecticut Junior Amateur Title . VanDerLaan , who attends Pomperaug High School , is only the fifth medalist to go on to win the match play championship in the event ’ s 71 year history .
30 Connecticut State Golf Association
Watertown Golf Club