Butler Falls in Junior Golf Final on Third Extra Hole

Brian Butler went about as far as a golfer can go without winning.

Butler, who just finished his sophomore year, fell to John Flaherty of Glastonbury in 21 holes Thursday in the match-play final of the 70^th annual Connecticut Junior Amateur Championship at the Watertown Golf Club.

Butler, who plays out of Wampanaug Country Club, held a three-hole lead after four holes and again after six but was unable to win another. He still led by three holes through 12 when Flaherty mounted a comeback.

Flaherty, playing out of TPC Highlands in Cromwell, won the 13^th and 16^th holes before forcing a sudden death by winning the 18^th.

The golfers each had birdies on the first extra hole and parred the second, but Butler had a bogie on the third hole and Flaherty made par.

Butler began the competition on by shooting a five-over 76 in stroke play Monday to gain the 13^th seed in the match play bracket.

On Tuesday, he defeated 20^th-seeded Matthew Mastronardi (4 and 3) in the round of 32 and No. 4 John Vanderlaan (2 and 1) in the round of 16. On Wednesday, he ousted fifth-seeded Cameron Mackay, 4 and 3, before advancing to the final with a 2 and 1 win over No. 9 Paul Pastore.

Flaherty was the tournament’s third seed.