The CSGA Links Volume 1 Issue 3 June, 2013 | Page 32

Defending Champion John VanDerLaan One-On-One with the 2012 Junior Amateur Champion When John VanDerLaan returns to Watertown Golf Club on July 8th for the Junior Amateur Championship, there are sure to be more than a few good memories flowing through his mind. The rising high school Senior dominated the Junior Amateur last year, becoming only the fifth medalist in the tournament’s extensive history to win the championship. VanDerLaan, who plays out of Heritage Village Country Club, fired a round of even par 71 to claim medalist honors and the #1 seed. From there, he would go on to win five straight matches by an incredible margin, closing out each of his opponents before reaching the 18th hole. VanDerLaan seemed to be unstoppable heading into the final match against Patrick Hallisey of TPC River Highlands. Hallisey started out strong, winning the first two holes of the final match. However, VanDerLaan stayed calm and focused and relied on his steady play to fight his way back. “After going two down so quickly, I became more focused,” VanDerLaan said. “I had already given him those holes by missing short putts, and every shot mattered even more at that point.” VanDerLaan would go on to make nine straight pars on the difficult middle stretch at Watertown, and his steady play was too much to handle for Hallisey. He took a 3-up lead on the 12th hole and never looked back, eventually winning the Championship 3 and 1. 32 Connecticut State Golf Association