Rochester, NH – The state’s most prestigious amateur golf event returns to a familiar stage this July, as the 122nd New Hampshire Amateur Championship, presented by Davis & Towle Insurance with support from Johnnie Walker, takes place July 7–12 at Rochester Country Club.

Rochester, hosting the event for the fourth time in its history, welcomes a 156-player field of New Hampshire’s top amateur golfers for a demanding six-day test. The format begins with 36 holes of stroke play qualifying, after which the top 64 players advance to match play, culminating in a 36-hole final match on July 12. The champion not only earns a spot in Granite State golf history, but also an automatic exemption into the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California this August.

At the heart of this year’s field is defending champion Rob Henley, who is eyeing a repeat title and a third consecutive trip to the final match. After finishing runner-up in 2023 to Jack Pepin, Henley returned to the final last year and captured his first State Amateur title with a win over Stephen Goodridge.

“I’ve had some success at Rochester, won the Mid-Am there a couple years ago, so I’ve got some good feelings and familiarity,” Henley said. “In terms of how my game stacks up, your guess is as good as mine!”

That blend of humility and humor has defined Henley’s recent runs at the New Hampshire Amateur, but there’s no doubting his competitive fire. Asked about his goals for the week, Henley didn’t hesitate to say, “Win. And if I don’t win, at least have fun and meet some new friends.”

Henley knows better than most what it takes to get through the grueling week of match play, both physically and mentally. “It’s hard to separate the two, they’re both so draining,” he said. “By Wednesday or Thursday, I feel like a sore old man. I just try not to make things too hard on myself early in the week, keep the ball in play, make lots of birdies, and enjoy the competition. It’s meant to be fun, and that’s why we all do it.”

He adds that there’s a secret weapon in his endurance plan: “Plenty of electrolytes and hotdogs. Typically, a nicely timed dog at the turn is just what you need.”

Henley pointed to the back nine as a key stretch, especially in match play scenarios. “Anything can happen on holes 12 through 14, maybe all the way through 18,” he said. “They’re more challenging in stroke play, so I’ll probably keep that approach if it’s working. The front nine is more straightforward and scorable.”

Beyond his own game, Henley is curious to see which names rise to the top. “I’m always interested in what new players the junior program is producing,” he said. “Beyond that, it’ll be the usual familiar faces and maybe a few new ones. I’m thinking Nick MacDonald could be pushing for a strong comeback this year.”

This year’s field is packed with talent, featuring 10 former New Hampshire Amateur champions, including previously mentioned Nick MacDonald, and a rising wave of young stars ready to shake up the bracket. Leading that charge is Josiah Hakala, one of the Granite State’s brightest junior talents. After a breakout run to the semifinals last year, where he narrowly fell to Rob Henley 2&1 at Concord Country Club, Hakala returns with more experience—and even more motivation. With a U.S. Junior Amateur appearance under his belt and a fearless approach to pressure-packed golf, he’ll be one to watch all week long.

Joining him is another exciting name, Andrew Surprenant, fresh off his freshman season at Southern New Hampshire University. Surprenant earned a spot at last year’s U.S. Junior Amateur alongside Hakala after capturing the New Hampshire Junior Championship, showcasing his ability to compete on the biggest stages. Now, with collegiate experience and confidence on his side, he’s poised to make a serious run in this year’s State Am and prove he belongs among the very best amateur golfers in New Hampshire.

Located along the Cochecho River, Rochester Country Club spans 6,687 yards from the championship tees on a par-72 layout. This year’s championship will mark the fourth time Rochester has hosted the New Hampshire Amateur, and players can expect a complete test of every aspect of their game, from patience in the early rounds to precision under pressure deep into match play.  With its challenging greens and varied terrain, competitors will have to be playing their best golf, especially on the back nine to advance to match play and even further into the week.

With rising stars, seasoned veterans, and a challenging championship course setting the stage, the 122nd New Hampshire Amateur Championship, presented by Davis & Towle Insurance with support from Johnnie Walker, promises another unforgettable chapter in the tournament’s storied history.

Round 1 | Pairings & Tee Times

Round 2  |  Pairings & Tee Times