By Ron P. Coderre

Drew Aitken, Killingly High School’s All-State golfer, is picking up his golf game over the summer where he left off at the end of the spring high school season.  Aitken was the Eastern Connecticut Conference top golfer and finished third in the Division III state tournament.

Last week Aitken competed in the Connecticut Junior Amateur Championship at Watertown Golf Club.  The Killingly junior to be in September made it all the way to the Round of 16 before being eliminated in a 19 hole match.  Aitken lost to Chris Butler of Wampanoag Country Club in a match that was all tied after the regulation 18 holes.

Aitken reached the Round of 16 by eliminating another Division III golfer Jason Liu of Eclub of River Valley.  The match against Liu also went 19 holes before Aitken prevailed.  He qualified for the Connecticut Amateur competition by firing a 73, making him one of the top 32 golfers in the field.

Prior to the Connecticut Junior Amateur Championships, the steady Aitken played in the U.S. Junior Amateur sectional qualifying event at the Colonie Golf and Country Club in Voorheesville, New York.  He qualified by firing a two under par 142 in the one-day 36-hole event.  His performance in New York earned him a spot in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas.  The event is scheduled for July 21 through 26.

Golf tournaments such as the U.S. and Connecticut events are an opportunity for young golfers to demonstrate their skills where college coaches can see them in action.