Conroy, Gross to meet in final

WATERBURY — Ben Conroy has been down this road before.

The 28-year-old Durham native will be making his second appearance in a Connecticut Amateur final on Friday after defeating Rob Neaton on the 18th hole in Thursday’s semifinal round at Country Club of Waterbury.

“It’s a long day physically, but a tough day mentally, too” Conroy said after 39 holes of golf. “I was happy to survive the afternoon.”

That last appearance came six years ago when he fell 7 and 6 in the 36-hole final to Matt Smith at Race Brook CC. In between, Conroy gave professional golf a shot. The mini-tour route didn’t work out.

Conroy regained his amateur status last summer. He played for the victorious Connecticut State Golf Association amateurs last month, helping beat the Connecticut Section PGA pros at the Julius Boros Challenge Cup at his home course, New Haven CC.

Now a little over a month later, Conroy gets a chance to take home the 116th edition of one of the CSGA’s most coveted championships.

“I always wondered (about becoming an amateur golfer again) depending on how things worked out,” Conroy said. “There are so many great tournaments in amateur golf. It’s a great way to play the sport in the true spirit of the game. I’m so happy to be out here playing. There’s no pressure to make any money or to make a living.

“Having one final under my belt, even though I lost, it will help to draw on that experience. I’m in a different position now with my golf game and in my life.”

Standing in the way is Elias Gross, a rising junior for the University of Hartford golf team. He eliminated former Amateur winner Brian Ahern 2 and 1.

“I kept the ball in play and made a lot of pars. I think pars kind of win out here,” said Gross, 20.

The 36-hole will begin Friday at 8 a.m.