Geoff Vartelas (above) has had quite a summer already: a tie for second in the New England Amateur, a round of 65 in the pre-qualifier for the Travelers Championship and a fourth-place finish at the Palmer Cup.

But the biggest highlight is yet to come for Vartelas, a former Xavier High standout. He is currently in Michigan preparing for his first appearance in the U.S. Amateur.

“It’s one of those things where no matter how you play in other events, if you qualify for the U.S. Amateur, it turns a so-so summer into a great summer,” Vartelas said. “No matter how yo do at the Am, the fact is you get to go there and experience a USGA event. USGA events are top notch.”

Vartelas, 22, qualified on July 12 at Great River Golf Club in Milford, shooting a 3-under 141 for 36 holes.

MORE ABOUT VARTELAS, THE U.S.AMATEUR, THE CT WOMEN'S AMATEUR AND THE NEW ENGLAND JUNIOR.

MIDDLEFIELD >> Kyle Nolin took a look at the names on the Connecticut Public Links championship trophy before he teed off in Tuesday’s final round.

One name Nolin noted in particular was Dave Szewczul, who has won the tournament four times. He played with Szewczul during last year’s State Mid-Amateur and the veteran golfer offered Nolin some advice during that round.

“He gave me one mental thing, ‘It’s golf, don’t take it too serious. There are a lot of other important things in life. Golf is not that important.”

How much putting those words to use relieved the pressure only Nolin knows, but his second straight even-par round of 72 at the Lyman Orchards Jones Course helped him win in the 31st edition of the Public Links by two shots.

“This means a lot, it really does, to know I’m in with this group of players that’s on that trophy,” said Nolin, 30, who recently moved to Middletown and is a member at Tallwood CC in Hebron.

31st Connecticut Public Links

(at Lyman Orchards GC, Jones Course)

Final results

Kyle Nolin (Tallwood CC), 72-72-144; Chris Flowers (Smith Richardson GC), 74-72-146; Steve Gettings (Orange Hills CC), 75-72-147; Jason Longo (Smith Richardson GC), 75-73-148; Dave Jones (Mohegan Sun GC), 74-74-148; Chris Meinke (Longshore GC), 71-78-149; Dave Renski (Wheeler Park GC), 77-73-150; Keith Salamon (Tunxis Plantation CC), 74-76-150; Dave Szewczul (Tunxis Plantation CC), 74-76-150; John Dailey (Smith Richardson GC), 72-78-150; Chad Boudreau (Hunter GC), 74-76-150; Matt Gaieski (Manchester CC), 77-74-151; Mike Jezierski (Raceway CC), 74-77-151; Chet Hrostek (Oxford Greens GC), 72-79-151; Jonathan Meissner (Great River GC), 75-77-152; Scott Johnson (Green Woods CC), 75-77-152; Pat McKenna (Manchester CC), 73-79-152; Frank Geiger (Smith Richardson GC), 77-76-153; James Sheltman (Alling Memorial GC), 73-80-153.