MIDDLEBURY — Ralph Myhre Golf Course’s Lucas Politano is defending his Vermont Amateur title this week at the Manchester Country Club after claiming the crown for the first time a year ago.

The Brandon resident won the title last year in a four-way playoff with Neshobe’s Walker Allen, Lakeside’s Travis Russel and Burlington’s Michael Welsh. All three of those golfers are back in the field this year looking for their first Amateur title.

The last golfer to win back-to-back Vermont Amateurs was Rutland County Club’s Drake Hull, who took three straight titles from 2017 to 2019.

First-round action was held Tuesday followed by second round play on Wednesday. Thursday will see two rounds to crown the Amateur champion.

On this past Thursday, July 3, Men’s League action at Ralph Myhre saw the foursome of Jim Johnston, John Myhre, Joe Thilbourg and Bill Brown take first place. Johnston also posted the day’s low net score with a 68.

Second place went to the team of Robert Cameron, Neil Mackey, John Davis and Tom McGinn, while the trio of Tom Maxwell, Gary Wright and Vince Paradis came in third.

In the Friday Mixer, Dale White, Garvi Jesso-White and Jill White teamed up for first place with a 32. Foursome Bryon Emilo, Jen Emilo, Julia Emilo and Lauren Emilo finished second at 34, and Jim Hadeka, Deb Hadeka, Joe Cotroneo, and Sarah Cotroneo took third with a 35.