GAVIN KEEFE/LOCAL GOLF

Norwich Golf Course.

"I brought the trophy home and it made his day," Hilario said. "That was on Father's Day in 2016. It was his last year. That was a special moment."

His father passed away in December 2016.

Hilario pursued a golf career and turned pro.

He worked as an assistant pro at Lake of Isles in North Stonington in 2017 before being offered a job by Wampanoag pro Donny Kirkpatrick.

An added bonus: his brother, Shawn, is a member and also reigning club champion.

"It was a nice change of scenery and a nice transition to a nice private 18-hole classic Donald Ross design," Hilario said. "It's gorgeous."

In his third season at Wampanoag, Hilario, 43, does a little bit of everything from giving lessons to overseeing the bag room staff and running an active junior program. He's found a comfortable home. "I wouldn't mind staying here for awhile," Hilario said.

Short putts

• With all three qualifying tournaments completed, the field is now set for the 118th Connecticut Amateur Championship, which tees off June 22 at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk.

Matt Fuller, an Old Lyme High School graduate, Josh Cameron of Shennecossett Golf Course and NFA graduate Shawn Hilario of Wampanoag CC are golfers with local ties who qualified at Great Neck Country Club in Waterford on Thursday.

Several other local golfers earned a spot through the exempt list, including Justin Beal and Michael Thompson of Fox Hopyard; Chris DeLucia of Norwich Golf Course,