BLOOMFIELD, Conn. - The University of Hartford men’s golf team capped off a dominant weekend at Tumble Brook Country Club by capturing the
2025 Conference of New England Men’s Golf Championship, adding a steady final-round
299 (+11) to their opening
294 (+6) to finish with a two-day total of
593 (+17). The Hawks entered Sunday with an eight-shot lead and never relinquished control. Endicott College made a late push with a
302 (+14) on Day 2, finishing nine strokes behind, while Western New England rounded out the podium in third at
609 (+33) following a
303 (+15) closing round. The victory is the first for the Hawks as members of the CNE.
Leading Hartford’s championship charge was a trio of steady contributors. Zack MacMillan carded an even-par 72 in the final round to tie for second individually, while Tim Kaley (76) and Manolo Vargas (75) helped secure crucial mid-lineup consistency. Griffin Lalonde, who opened with a two-under 70 on Saturday, battled tougher conditions on Sunday with an 80 (+8) but still remained in the top tier of the standings. Shawn Amari’s 76 (+4) provided valuable depth scoring.
Individually, Western New England’s Derek Johnson completed a wire-to-wire performance to claim the individual championship, adding another 68 (-4) to his opening-round 68 (-4) for a remarkable two-day total of 136 (-8). Johnson’s precision off the tee and clutch putting set him apart from the field, finishing four strokes clear of MacMillan and Endicott’s Myles O’Quinn, who both tied for second at even par. Johnson’s back-to-back sub-70 rounds were the only red numbers posted across both days, sealing a commanding and well-deserved individual title.
Roger Williams delivered one of the surprises of the day, matching Hartford’s team round with a 299 (+11) to climb into a share of fourth, led by Will Lafrance, who fired a 70 (-2)—one of just two under-par rounds Sunday. Endicott’s Myles O’Quinn and Hadyn Kornusky (72 E) provided stability for the Gulls’ runner-up finish, while Gordon College turned in its strongest effort of the weekend with a 309 (+21) to tie Suffolk for fifth overall.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE OF NEW ENGLAND
Originally founded in 1984 as the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), and reconstituted as the Conference of New England (CNE) in 2024, the CNE is an NCAA Division III athletic conference composed of 11 full member and five associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition and a meaningful student life. The Conference administers championships in 21 intercollegiate sports.