By Dalton Balthaser

PUTNAM, CONN. – It’s safe to say that Cody Paladino will be playing in USGA Mid-Amateur qualifiers administered by the Rhode Island Golf Association for the foreseeable future.

 

In 2021, he was the co-medalist at Wannamoisett Country Club and lost in the Round of 64 of the championship proper at Sankaty Head Golf Club.

 

Paladino, aided by a hot start, claimed medalist honors in #USMidAm qualifying Monday at Connecticut National Golf Club (par 71, 6,897 yards).

 

Connecticut National did a USGA Qualifying double-dip this year. They hosted U.S. Amateur Qualifying for the Connecticut State Golf Association in June and Monday's U.S. Mid-Amateur Qualifying for the RIGA. 

 

The 41st U.S. Mid-Amateur will take place Sept. 10-15 at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis.

 

Brad Valois of Warwick, R.I. and Ryan Coughlin of Rye, N.Y. secured the other two qualifying spots after advancing through a 4-for-2 playoff.

 

“I was thinking about how good RIGA U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifiers have been to me,” said Paladino, 33, of West Hartford, Conn. “Last year, I went and played a few holes at Wannamoisett the Sunday before and stayed over. I played nine holes at Connecticut National yesterday and stayed over. It has worked well for me, so I didn’t want to change it.

 

“My family hosts the Northern Junior, and it was a full house of family at my house last week. I needed a recharge before today. I’ve played Connecticut National quite a bit over the years, but it had been a bit since I have been here, but I knew it was a course that I could do well at.”

 

Paladino made the turn in 3 under thanks to two birdies on Nos. 1 (par 5, 507 yards) and 8 (par 4, 352 yards) and an eagle on No. 6 (par 5, 604 yards). He drove the green on No. 8 and chipped in for eagle from 20 yards on No. 6.

 

He got to 4 under after birdies on Nos. 12 (par 5, 537 yards) and 13 (par 4, 386 yards). But he made a bogey on No. 14 (par 4, 447 yards).

 

“In my mind, I try to set a target score,” said Paladino. “Ultimately, the number ends up being higher than I think but for me it’s important to set a goal. Playing in a ton of these, you get a good feel for how they go.”

 

Then the worst sound in golf came. The sound of a horn to stop play. At 3:48 p.m., players were brought off the course due to lightning in the area. Play would resume at 4:30 p.m.

 

“The key to dealing with a rain delay is resetting,” said Paladino, of West Hartford, Conn. “I like to stay busy during delays. I will change my shirt, socks, shoes and take everything out of my golf bag so it can dry. It is like starting a new round. I feel like if I sit down, getting back up will be so difficult. The body can get stiff quite quickly.”

 

He made a bogey on his first hole after the delay, No. 15 (par 3, 193 yards), but made three pars on the last three holes to secure medalist honors.

 

Paladino turned professional at 24 and didn’t start qualifying for the U.S. Mid-Amateur until last year. He’s qualified both years he has been eligible.

 

“Being comfortable in that environment is key to playing well,” said Paladino, who will be competing in his 10th USGA championship when he tees it up at Erin Hills. “The first few you play is a struggle to get comfortable because it feels like a tour event. But they are so much fun."