Connor Cassano earned the title of Louisiana’s best amateur golfer this summer by winning the 106th Louisiana Amateur Championship at Bayou Oaks at City Park. As a result of his victory, he punched his ticket to the 125th U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Cassano was gracious enough to share some highlights of his experience with the LGA:
Louisiana Amateur Champion to being a participant in the 125th U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club, a bit of a dream come true! Both of these events delivered unforgettable weeks.
The four days of play at our State Am created an opportunity for me to see where my game was during competitive play. I had a lot to prove to myself out there that
week. With Holden Webb, a high school and college teammate, on the bag, I was laser focused, in the moment, yet he kept me laughing and relaxed down the stretch. Not only was a State Championship title calling my name, an initial WAGR ranking and punching my ticket to the U.S. Am were also on the line. Landon (East) was making bombs. He never let up. He forced me to make the shots, a competitor who’s going to make you earn it, the exact guy you want to battle when you’re trying to find your competitive edge.
In the weeks leading into the U.S. Am, I reflected on what a privilege it was to be representing Louisiana at not only the U.S. Am but also The Olympic Club. The Olympic Club has hosted five U.S. Opens and four U.S. Amateurs along with several other USGA events. It was the U.S. Am and club nostalgia that set the stage, both with storied histories that I had no doubt would live up to my expectations and the hype.
As soon as players arrived on property, we were treated with unparalleled hospitality, professionalism, and respect. The club members, USGA staff, and volunteers were incredible all week. With exclusive amenities including a player-only locker room, dining room, and recovery zone, The Olympic Club was the ultimate host. The gem at center stage was The Havemeyer Trophy. This shiny gold piece of hardware remained on display in the clubhouse all week for each player to envision holding come Sunday.
On-course prep started on Friday. This included studying and walking both courses before the designated practice rounds, hitting “a large volume” of chips out of the gnarly, six-inch rough, and figuring out ball flight and distance in the San Francisco marine layer. Players were allocated one practice round on each course prior to teeing it up on Monday. This was the time to solidify my plan.
For all this I trusted a long-time mentor, family friend, and accomplished player himself, JT Griffin, my caddie for the week. JT has four U.S. Ams under his belt, including the 2007 U.S. Am at The Olympic Club. He has a great knack for perspective and helping me trust my game and be in the moment. We teed it up in the practice rounds with the 2023 U.S. Senior Am Champion, and the eventual 2025 U.S. Am Champion. It’s always great to learn from and alongside champions at that level.
The Lake and Ocean Courses would deliver two very different and challenging tests. Penalizing rough, elevation changes, and fast greens stood between myself and making the top 64 on Wednesday. On the first tee I knew I had the opportunity to play against and alongside the best amateurs in the world. My playing partners those first two days were also State Am Champions, from Texas and Oklahoma.
After carding an eight-over first round on the Lake Course, we put together a solid one-over second day on the Ocean Course with a T145/312 finish.
Yes, it was a week for the memory bank, an unbelievable opportunity of learning more about myself, my strengths and weakness on the course, and sheer gratitude for junior and amateur golf friendships from across the country. It was also a week of the “burger dog,” spectators walking the fairways behind the players, and trading stories with volunteers from around the world. A big thank you to the LGA, Holden (Webb), JT (Griffin), my parents, my swing coach Cameron McCormick, my performance coach Bhrett McCabe, and the many special folks from the 318 and 225 for supporting me and keeping this guy’s dreams of chasing a little white ball alive.
Here’s to many more USGA Championships in the future.
Go Bearcats – Connor Cassano
We are proud of Cassano and wish him the best as he tees it up for the Cincinnati Bearcats this season!
About the LGA
The Louisiana Golf Association (LGA) is a mission-driven organization dedicated to unifying the golf community across Louisiana. Since its inception in 1920, the LGA has expanded its scope to offer a variety of championships, including the Junior Amateur Championship and the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour. The LGA is committed to providing exceptional services in Championship Administration, USGA Handicap System oversight, and Rules of Golf authority, ensuring fair play and integrity throughout the state.
The LGA supports golfers of all levels through its Course Measuring and Rating services, comprehensive tournament management, and educational seminars on the Rules of Golf and Amateur Status. By partnering with entities like the Audubon Golf Trail and Gulf States PGA, the LGA fosters growth and inclusivity in the sport.
As the authoritative body for amateur golf in Louisiana, the LGA maintains the WHS Handicap Index, crucial for assessing individual performance, and continues to uphold the game’s traditions and values. For more information, visit LGA.org or contact us at 337-265-3938.
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