He posted a total score of 280 (rounds of 71, 70, 67, 72) to win by five strokes, becoming the first BCC member to claim the Amateur crown since 1978.
Walsh’s Winning Performance
Michael Walsh, Jr. showed steady play over four rounds at Manchester Country Club, carding scores of 71, 70, 67, and 72. His third-round 67 pulled him clear of a competitive field, giving him a comfortable lead heading into the final day. Walsh’s consistent play included three rounds under par, and he only needed one birdie on the back nine of round three to open a three-shot cushion.
This victory ends a 47-year Amateur title drought for Burlington Country Club. The last BCC champion was Steve Pcolar in 1978. Walsh now joins club legends like Dr. M. C. Twitchell (1914) and Clifton W. Price (four‑time winner) on the list of past BCC victors.
His win also marks a personal milestone: it is his first major amateur title and caps off a summer of strong results in local and regional events.
Walsh spoke about the course’s subtle challenges, noting that “the greens at Manchester are firm and true, so you have to be precise with your approach shots.” He credited his coaches at BCC for helping him develop a reliable short game.
Looking ahead, Walsh plans to compete in the New England Amateur next month and hopes to carry this momentum into other state and regional tournaments.
Burlington Country Club’s Team Triumph
Alongside Walsh’s individual success, Burlington Country Club’s team successfully defended its McCullough Cup crown. Over the first two days of the Vermont Amateur, the five‑man team posted a combined score of 583, besting Vermont National Country Club by 25 strokes (608) and finishing atop a field of twelve clubs.
Team members Bryan Smith, Alex Leonard, Nathan Godbout, and Evan Forrest provided strong support, with all four players finishing inside the top 20 of the individual standings. The Cup—first awarded in 1905 and named for former Governor John G. McCullough—goes to the club with the lowest aggregate score. BCC’s defense adds to a storied history: the club has claimed the McCullough Cup 25 times, including 13 victories between 1950 and 1963.
BCC Golf Director Charlotte Pusztai-Renold congratulated the team, saying,
“Their teamwork and focus over two long days was exceptional. To repeat as champions shows the depth of talent we have at Burlington Country Club.”
The team now turns its focus to club matches later this summer and will look to carry its winning form into the fall season.
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