Last year’s finalists in the Connecticut Junior Amateur golf tournament are just one match away from meeting for the second straight year at Watertown Golf Club.
Defending champion John Vanderlaan (Heritage Village CC) and Patrick Hallisey (TPC River Highlands) both advanced to today’s quarterfinals. One more win by each and they would meet in the semifinals this afternoon. Hallisey will face Connor O’Brien (Tashua Knolls GC) while Vanderlaan will face Chandler Morris (CC of Waterbury) in the morning quarterfinals. Morris eliminated Vanderlaan’s brother Michael in 24 holes in the second round.
In the top half of the bracket, Evan Grenus (TPC River Highlands) takes on Jason Hogan (Watertown GC) while Nate Dong (Tallwood CC) takes on Tom Gosart (Tashua Knolls GC).
John Abbott of Higganum was the only area player to win a match on Tuesday, beating A.J. Cooney of North Branford. He was then eliminated by Dong.
Other area players falling in the opening round of match play Tuesday were Rasmey Kong (Course at Yale), Eric Austin (Race Brook CC), Tim Rotermund (Madison CC) and Gabe Van Ness (Clinton CC).