The Vermont Golf Association’s premier championship returns to historic Ekwanok Country Club on July 7-9 as 111 of the state’s best amateur golfers compete for the 2026 Vermont Amateur Championship. In addition to adding their name to one of Vermont golf’s most prestigious trophies, this year’s champion will also earn an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship.
The championship returns to Ekwanok for the first time since 2016, when Bryan Smith claimed the title on one of the state’s most iconic golf courses. This year’s field features former champions, rising collegiate standouts, accomplished Mid-Amateurs, and several players looking to capture their first Vermont Amateur Championship.
Defending champion Michael Walsh returns after a dominant performance in 2025, where he won the Vermont Amateur Championship by five strokes after finishing at 8-under par. The victory capped several years of consistency after runner-up finishes in both 2023 and 2024.
Since graduating from Temple University in 2025, Walsh has remained one of Vermont’s premier amateur golfers and enters championship week as the player everyone will be chasing.
Several former Vermont Amateur champions headline this year’s field.
Lucas Politano returns after winning the championship in 2024 and continues to elevate his game at Rutgers University. During his freshman season, Politano set a new Rutgers 54-hole scoring record at 18-under par while also establishing the program’s lowest round under par at 9-under. After finishing tied for fourth in last year’s championship, he enters Ekwanok as one of the tournament favorites.
Garren Poirier, the 2020 Vermont Amateur Champion, has already enjoyed an impressive 2026 season. After narrowly losing in a playoff to Sebastian Pell at the Manchester Country Club Spring Classic, Poirier bounced back with a victory at the Country Club of Vermont Stroke-Play Championship. His recent form and championship experience make him a serious contender.
Evan Russell knows what it takes to win this championship, having captured back-to-back Vermont Amateur titles in 2013 and 2014. The defending Vermont Mid-Amateur Champion has remained one of the state’s most consistent players and finished tied for fourth in last year’s championship.
Bryan Smith also brings championship pedigree to Ekwanok. Smith won the Vermont Amateur the last time it was contested at Ekwanok Country Club in 2016 and has continued to build one of the strongest Mid-Amateur resumes in the state, including winning the 2024 Vermont Mid-Amateur Championship.
A new generation of Vermont golfers is quickly making its mark.
Sebastian Pell enters championship week with plenty of momentum after opening the 2026 season by winning the Manchester Country Club Spring Classic. Following his freshman season at Rider University, Pell will transfer to Morehead State University this fall. After steady improvement in each of his Vermont Amateur appearances, he appears poised to contend for his first championship.
Austin Giroux recently completed his senior season at Siena College and owns one of the strongest recent championship records among the younger competitors. His third-place finish in 2023 and eighth-place showing last season demonstrate his ability to contend against Vermont’s best.
Jack McDougall, the reigning Vermont Golf Association Junior Boys Player of the Year, returns after tying for 16th in last year’s championship. The recent high school graduate will continue his golf career this fall at McDaniel College.
Luke Russell made an immediate impression during last year’s championship as the youngest player in the field. After opening with a 70 (-2) to briefly find himself near the top of the leaderboard, another year of experience could make him one of this week’s breakout players.
Several players have consistently found themselves near the top of the leaderboard and will once again be looking to capture their first Vermont Amateur Championship.
Cody Semmelrock came within striking distance of the title in 2025, finishing runner-up after posting a tournament total of 3-under par. Combined with a fifth-place finish in 2023, Semmelrock has proven he has the game to compete late into championship week.
Travis Russell has quietly become one of the state’s most consistent championship performers. After finishing runner-up in 2024 and tied for fourth in 2025, the brother of Evan Russell enters Ekwanok searching for his first Vermont Amateur victory.
Taylor Bellemare will enjoy perhaps the biggest home-course advantage in the field. The Ekwanok Country Club member has recorded multiple top-five finishes in both the Vermont Amateur and Vermont Mid-Amateur Championships and is always among the state’s top contenders.
Cory Jozefiak continues to build one of the deepest Vermont Amateur résumés in the field. The 2021 Vermont Mid-Amateur Champion has recorded top-10 finishes across nearly a decade of championship appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2020. He also led early during last year’s championship before ultimately finishing ninth.
Troy Goliber has also consistently found himself in contention, highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2021 and several additional top-10 finishes throughout his Vermont Amateur career.
Nick Ojala remains one of Vermont’s most consistent championship competitors. While he has frequently found himself near the top of the leaderboard, the elusive Vermont Amateur title has yet to come. With years of championship experience, Ojala could once again find himself in contention.
Reece De Castro enters the championship after a strong start to the season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Country Club of Vermont Stroke-Play Championship. His recent form makes him a player capable of making a run this week.
Brooks Thompson may be the hottest player entering championship week. The Ekwanok Country Club member earned medalist honors at his Vermont Amateur qualifier by firing a spectacular 64 (-8) at Neshobe Golf Club. His round featured 10 birdies and immediately established him as one of the players to watch. Returning to his home course with tremendous confidence and local knowledge, Thompson has all the ingredients to make a deep championship run.
Mathew Smith has quietly put together several solid Vermont Amateur performances in recent years, including an 11th-place finish in 2025. His consistency makes him another player capable of climbing the leaderboard.
With former champions, collegiate standouts, seasoned veterans, rising juniors, and local favorites all competing on one of Vermont’s most historic golf courses, the 2026 Vermont Amateur Championship is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most competitive fields in recent memory.
By the end of four rounds at Ekwanok Country Club, one player will earn a place in Vermont golf history, lift the Vermont Amateur Championship trophy, and secure a coveted spot in the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship.