Golfer CJ Winchenbaugh ’24 wins New England Amateur Championship

Belmont Hill recent graduates CJ Winchenbaugh '24 and John Broderick '22 showcased their exceptional talents at the 95th New England Amateur Championship, held at Laconia Country Club in New Hampshire this week. CJ, who heads to Georgetown in the fall, delivered a stunning performance with a course-record 11-under-par 61, including an impressive albatross on the par-5 13th hole. His remarkable play culminated in a playoff victory against John Broderick ’22, a standout golfer at Vanderbilt, securing the championship title.

Broderick, the 2020 champion, demonstrated his skill and competitive spirit, finishing as runner-up for the second consecutive year. His consistent play, marked by six birdies in the final round, brought him even with Winchenbaugh at 11-under before the playoff.

"It's great to get a win at a tournament like the NE Am," said Winchenbaugh. "I played some great golf last summer and didn't feel like I was playing to my expectations so far this summer, so it's great to feel like my game is back where I want it. I'm ready to see what's at stake for the rest of the summer and getting into competition at Georgetown."

Also participating this year were Conner Willet ’21 and Aidan Monahan ’24.

Belmont Hill Head Golf Coach Charlie Doar expressed how meaningful this year's event was. "It's pretty special for CJ and John to have had so much success, especially because John has, in many ways, been CJ's mentor for a few years," said Coach Doar. "When John was a senior at Belmont Hill and our #1 player, CJ was a sophomore and our #2, so they played a lot of matches against each other in practice and in the same foursome as teammates against other schools, so CJ got a crash course not only in what it means to play great golf, but also how to succeed in the classroom, how to be a leader on and off the course, and how to represent yourself and your school. John always took so much interest in CJ and his game while CJ always quietly watched how John carried himself. I'm sure the playoff they had at the New England Amateur was surreal and oddly emotional for both of them--it was for me too!"

Click here to read the Mass Golf coverage of the event.

On the heels of this incredible win, CJ headed to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, to compete in the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship where he played through the round of 16. In August he capped his junior golf days when the Massachusetts boys squad defended its team title in the New England Junior Amateur Championship at GreatHorse. CJ Winchenbaugh earned the individual title for the first time.

Recent Belmont Hill Golf Championship Winners 
2024 New England Junior Amateur - CJ Winchenbaugh '24 
2024 New England Amateur - CJ Winchenbaugh '24 
2023 Massachusetts Young Amateur - Joey Monahan ’28
2022 Massachusetts Amateur - Conner Willett '21 
2022 Massachusetts Junior Amateur - John Broderick '22 
2020 New England Amateur - John Broderick '22