MANCHESTER, Vt. — Residents who follow Vermont golf will see one of their own on a national stage this summer after Lucas Politano swept to the Vermont Amateur title with a 12-stroke margin at Ekwanok Country Club.
The rising Rutgers sophomore from Brandon finished stroke play at 8-under par, completing the final round with a 65 — one stroke shy of the course record. Politano bogeyed only once across his final 36 holes, carding par or better on 35 of those holes, a streak that separated him decisively from the field.
What the win means locally
For the Otter Valley community and Vermont golf followers, the victory carries immediate consequences: Politano earns an automatic exemption into the U.S. Amateur Championship later this summer. The result also marks his second Vermont Amateur title in three years, reinforcing his standing as one of the state’s top amateur players.
- Performance: Final score 8-under par; final round 65.
- Margin: 12 strokes ahead of runner-up Alex Leonard.
- Recognition: Big Ten All-Freshman selection in 2026; Otter Valley alumnus.
On-course details
Politano began the final two rounds with a lead and extended it through steady, nearly flawless golf. His closing 18 matched the tournament's best scoring of the week and nearly equaled the Ekwanok course record. Alex Leonard finished second, 12 shots back.
| Finish | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Lucas Politano (Brandon) | 8-under par |
| 2nd | Alex Leonard | 12 strokes behind |
"It means a lot. This week is so special for everybody in the field, but definitely for me, this year in particular was, yeah, definitely special for its own reasons. And yeah, to get back in the winter circle was always, always really nice."
After accepting the trophy, Politano became emotional and paid tribute to a friend from Otter Valley who died in a car accident last year, a moment that underscored the personal significance of the victory.
Looking ahead
Politano now turns his attention to the U.S. Amateur later this summer, where he will represent Vermont among a national field of top amateurs. His form at Ekwanok — particularly the near-flawless closing stretch — gives him momentum heading into that event.
Local golf fans and Otter Valley residents will likely follow his progress closely. The result also serves as a reminder of the depth of amateur golf talent in Vermont and the role state championships play in advancing players to national competition.
Coverage of the Vermont Amateur concluded with video highlights and reaction from the winner on site at Ekwanok Country Club.
