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Teenager seizes 118th Vermont Amateur in four-person playoff, youngest champion since 1999

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Teenager seizes 118th Vermont Amateur in four-person playoff, youngest champion since 1999


Lucas Politano shanked his second shot on the second playoff hole of the 118th Vermont Amateur, his ball plunged deep in the soaked rough some 170 yards from the green on the par-5 No. 18.

The teenager stayed upbeat.

“The first thought I had was, ‘I couldn’t believe I just did that.’ Next thought, ‘We still have a chance at making birdie here,’” Politano said.

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The senior-to-be at Otter Valley Union High School delivered a delicate yet brilliant shot, softly bouncing his approach about 20 feet from the pin. He then rolled in the birdie attempt.

“I had to refocus real quick. I had a gap but I had to get it over a little tree and I just it a perfect shot, I guess,” said Politano, who used a seven-iron to get out of trouble.

And after Walker Allen just missed his retort to send the playoff to another hole, Politano hugged his caddie for a rare moment in the tournament’s cherished history: The 17-year-old became the youngest Vermont Amateur champion in 25 years, surviving a four-person playoff to close the rain-shortened, 54-hole championship at Burlington Country Club on Thursday.

At 16 years old, only Dustin Cone (1999), Tommy Pierce (1935) and Les Mercer (1921) were younger than Politano when they claimed their titles.

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[Editor’s note: See below for the full leaderboard]

Politano also joined his sister, Mia, as Vermont Amateur champions. Mia Politano captured the women’s title in 2022.

“I think it’s awesome to do it a couple years after her,” Lucas Politano said. “It’s great, you always want to write your name on the Amateur trophy.”

Politano’s victory capped a tournament that dealt with heavy rain and thunderstorms this week. Vermont Golf Association officials were forced to suspend play Wednesday and then shortened the tournament from its traditional 72 holes to just 54.

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Politano, Allen, Michael Walsh and Travis Russell all finished at 1-under 212 — the only golfers in red in a remarkably tight leaderboard. Two-time champions Bryson Richards (2021, 2023) and Evan Russell (2013, 2014), Travis Russell’s younger brother, were one and two shots, respectively, back of the leaders. Garren Poirier, the 2020 winner, finished three shots behind.

On the 18th hole before the playoff, Politano rattled in a birdie to join the four-person group while Russell pushed his birdie attempt wide that would’ve won the title outright.

The foursome returned to the 18th green to start the playoff. Allen and Politano notched birdies, but Travis Russell and Walsh, a BCC member, exited with pars. Allen and Politano went back again to tee off at No. 18. After both had good drives in the fairway, Politano knocked his second shot into the rough and Allen couldn’t avoid a bunker to the left of the green.

More: Two-time Vermont Amateur champion seizes Day 1 lead at Burlington Country Club

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Politano, the two-time Vermont high school D-II state champion, then dropped his approach onto the green. Allen, who shot 67 Thursday for the tournament’s low round, coolly got out of the bunker to give himself a chance at birdie. But Allen couldn’t hole his putt to extend the championship to a third playoff hole.

Politano moved into serious contention with a 68 on Wednesday. His day on Thursday started poorly: A front-nine 39 featured five bogeys and just two birdies. But Politano closed with a back-nine 33, including a must-have birdie on the No. 18 to make the playoff.

“I just remembered how much I worked for this. You can’t really ever completely get rid of the nerves,” Politano said. “But you can always go back to the basics and go back to what you remember and go from there.”

Led by Walsh, Burlington Country Club captured the McCullough Cup. The last time BCC hosted the Vermont Amateur, the tournament also needed a playoff to determine a winner. In 2014, Evan Russell survived five playoff holes for the second of back-to-back crowns.

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Note: For the full results, including those who did not make the cut, visit golfgenius.

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Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.





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Spring-like days ahead, but the risk for additional river ice jams and flooding will continue.

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Spring-like days ahead, but the risk for additional river ice jams and flooding will continue.


BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – It was a pleasant Sunday with spring-like temperatures, but it also resulted in a few ice jams in rivers, which happened earlier than expected. The Ausable, Mad, Missisquoi and Great Chazy rivers flooded today due to ice jams. These rivers will recede tonight as temperatures get close to, or below, freezing. However, new ice jams may form, and additional rivers may flood on Monday as highs get even warmer. Expect partly sunny skies with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. The wind may gust as highs as 40 mph. This will continue to support rapid snowmelt, which will run off into rivers and other bodies of water. Remember to never cross any flooded roads, and avoid going near river banks.

The threat for ice jams will continue into Thursday. A backdoor cold front may touch off a few showers on Tuesday, otherwise it will be partly sunny with highs ranging from the 40s north to the 50s and low 60s south. Computer models continue to bring a low pressure system in our area on Wednesday. It’s continuing to look a little warmer, though the heavier rain is now inching farther into Canada. That said, some rain is likely, and high temperatures will be at least in the low 40s, and may reach the 50s in southern parts of the region. Morning rain on Thursday will change to afternoon snow. A few inches accumulation is possible. Early highs in the 30s will fall through the 20s by afternoon, and overnight lows will be in the teens and low 20s, so everything will freeze up.

Friday will start off with some sunshine, then another, weaker system could bring a light rain/snow mix late in the day and overnight. A few inches of snow can’t be ruled out. A return to more seasonable temperatures will happen over the weekend with highs mainly in the mid-30s and lows in the teens and 20s. There’s the chance for snow showers both days, but significant weather isn’t expected.

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20th Annual Vermont Composting Summit kicks off on March 25

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20th Annual Vermont Composting Summit kicks off on March 25


MONTPELIER — The 20th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS) will be held on Wednesday, March 25, at the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub. It is organized by the Composting Association of Vermont (CAV) and the Agency of Natural Resources.

VORS brings together composters, farmers, businesses, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to advance solutions to keep clean organic materials out of landfills and return nutrients to Vermont soils. Additional workshops, tours, and hands-on learning opportunities will be held across the state on March 26..

“The 20th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit is guided by the theme, Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli. “This is a cornerstone gathering for Vermont’s growing organics recycling ecosystem. Whether you’re a backyard composter, a farmer, a municipal leader, or a sustainability advocate, VORS provides a critical forum for cross-sector collaboration.”

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A highlight of this milestone year will be the keynote presentation from Jayne Merner. Merner is a lifelong compost practitioner and co-owner / operator of Earth Care Farm in Rhode Island. She grew up working in compost production and now leads one of the region’s best-known large-scale compost operations. Merner also hosts The Composter podcast and has taught composting and soil stewardship around the world.

Each year, VORS fosters connections, sparks innovation, and helps translate policy and research into real-world action. The summit welcomes all who are passionate about creating healthier communities through composting.

CAV is partnering with ORCA Media to record sessions for post-event viewing.

To learn more and register for VORS, visit compostingvermont.org/vors-2026.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont’s natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Vermont National Guard holds change of command ceremony

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Vermont National Guard holds change of command ceremony


SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Vermont National Guard held a change of command ceremony Saturday, with a new adjutant general taking the helm.

The passing of the state’s colors marked the transfer of authority. The flag used was the Green Mountain Boys flag, which has flown around the world.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight stepped down after seven years leading the Vermont National Guard. Incoming Adjutant General Harder, who previously served as deputy adjutant general, has 36 years of service across multiple roles within the organization.

At the ceremony, Knight reflected on the periods when the National Guard was deployed, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 floods and current overseas deployments with soldiers in Iran.

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“Our duty is to hand both the uniform and the mission forward in better condition than when we received it,” Knight said. “The mantle of leadership doesn’t belong to us. We borrow it for a time and our responsibility is to leave it stronger for the next person who wears it.”

Harder said the role carries significant personal meaning.

“Leading this organization is the honor of a lifetime,” Harder said.

Gov. Scott, a Republican, spoke to Harder’s qualifications during the ceremony.

“General Hank Harder’s service to our nation has proven him to be a distinguished leader with the right character and curiosity to continue the work of guiding the guard into the future,” Scott said.

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Harder acknowledged Knight’s tenure during the ceremony.

“Your leadership has left the Vermont National Guard stronger, more capable and ready for the future,” Harder said.

160 Vermont soldiers are currently in Germany on a training mission with Ukraine. Several hundred more are deployed in the Middle East.

Harder addressed the deployed service members during the ceremony.

“We are so proud of what they do each and every day and we’re supporting them from afar and we know what it’s like and we look forward to them completing their mission and coming home,” Harder said.

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Harder said the guard has no control over what happens once troops are overseas but is actively providing support to service members’ families in Vermont.

The ceremony was attended by Gov. Phil Scott, members of the military and family members.



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