WILTON, Conn. -- Two former amateur champions are facing off in the Connecticut Amateur Championship on Thursday. Defending tournament champion and Weston resident Bernie D'Amato is taking on 2006 champion Tommy McDonagh of Norwalk in the quarterfinals of match play at Rolling Hills Country Club in Wilton.
Both completed stroke play with an impressive first two rounds, with McDonagh finishing fourth (-1) and D'Amato fifth (+1). Both had to fight through two tough rounds of match play, but came out on top.
McDonagh took his first-round match one-up, but needed only 15 holes in the second round of match play to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals. D'Amato snuck through both of his first two match play rounds, needing 17 holes in the first and all 18 in the second to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. D'Amato shot a three-under 68 in the second round, nailing an eagle on the 14th hole to keep his lead.
McDonagh plays out of Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk, while D'Amato is representing Wheeler Park in Fairfield. The winner of the quarterfinal match will play in the semifinals later on Thursday. The 36-hole final will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday.
Follow Eric Gendron on Twitter for the latest MSC-Fairfield County sports coverage.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.