North Chery entered this summer’s golf season with two goals: to win the Connecticut Junior Amateur and to qualify for the U.S. Junior. A fractured left thumb from a pickup basketball game ended his shot at the U.S. Junior, shifting all his focus to the Connecticut Junior. The recent Hamden Hall Country Day graduate had reached the final last year, and he returned again this July to Watertown Golf Club to try once more. Despite never leading in regulation, Chery emerged victorious in a sudden-death playoff after five extra holes, sinking a birdie putt to defeat Alex Halpert and claim the 84th championship.
The 84th Connecticut Junior Amateur Championship, presented by Chris Cote’s Golf Shop, was held from July 7-10, 2025, at Watertown Golf Club, according to the CSGA. The tournament began with stroke play qualifying on July 7th. The top 32 players then advanced to match play, which concluded with the 18-hole title match on July 10th.
“It’s been awesome, especially after finishing runner-up last year,” said the 18-year-old East Haven native. His win earned him exemptions into both the U.S. Junior and the 91st Connecticut Open, where he’s now competing at Black Hall Club. A standout at Hamden Hall since sixth grade, Chery played alongside top players like Ben James—currently ranked No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings—and Jackson Roman, the defending Connecticut Open champion.
Chery has battled through a recurring left wrist injury, which flared in May and continues to bother him during tournaments. Still, he competed in his second U.S. Junior last week, narrowly missing the cut for match play.
Though he once considered Virginia, NCAA roster limits shifted his college plans. He received a full scholarship to DePaul and was drawn to its Lincoln Park location in Chicago. Before starting college golf, Chery will compete in the Northern Junior and New England Junior.
