Norwich — Josh Cameron has plenty of reason to celebrate this weekend.

It's his son's birthday and his mother's, too.

Plus, the 94th Norwich Invitational, which is considered a holiday of sorts by some local golfers, is underway at Norwich Golf Course.

Cameron can squeeze in all three events thanks to an understanding family.

On Friday, Cameron shot a 3-under 68 to earn medalist honors in qualifying round action. He's from Oakdale and a member at Shennecossett Golf Course.

His family will be watching when match play begins on Saturday morning. Winners advance to the quarterfinals in the afternoon. Semifinals and finals will be held on Sunday.

"I say it's a family tradition, but I don't know if my wife agrees with that," Cameron said. "They come and watch on the third hole every Friday and they'll be out Saturday. We're having a (birthday) party (for Kasen Friday).

"It always falls on this weekend. They've accepted it."

It's been a good golf season so far for Cameron, who qualified for match play at the 118th Connecticut Amateur Championship late last month at Shorehaven Golf Club in Norwalk. He won his first match before bowing out despite shooting 3-under.

"I did pretty well," Cameron said. "I was hoping to make the cut."

Cameron has higher aspirations than just qualifying for match play at the Norwich Invitational. He won the event in 2017 and finished as the runner-up last year.

The last golfer to win back-to-back titles was Dan Hendrickson who pulled off the feat in 2013 and 2014.

"When we were on the putting green today, there was a group of (Bill) Hermanson, (Phil) Perry, (Brian) Bardier and Dave Jones," Cameron said. "They've each got two-three-four-five wins. Winning it once was awesome, but you want to win more. I play to win. It would be nice to get my name on the board a few times."

Cameron admittedly could have scored lower on Friday if not for taking a gamble on the 17th hole.

Standing at 4-under through 16, Cameron knew he had basically secured a spot in the championship flight. So, against his own better judgment, he decided to use his driver.

Cameron's tee shot sailed left, leading to a double bogey on the par 4 hole. He recovered nicely, sinking a birdie putt on No. 18 to finish at 3-under.

"I had a quick loss of focus on 17," Cameron said. "I always tell myself that I shouldn't hit driver there because I'll hit it out of bounds. I hit driver and hit it out of bounds."

That was just one little blip in an otherwise smooth round. Cameron rang up six birdies, four on the back nine.

Golfers like Cameron who started in the morning dealt with some rain and wind while playing the front nine. Cameron still managed to be at 2-under at the turn.

"I feel like it was just kind of survival mode for the six holes," Cameron said. "I didn't get to play those holes the way that I'd normally play because of the rain. ... But I played fine. My game is in good shape.

"Anything can happen in match play. I'm just looking forward to getting there. I didn't really play aggressive today. I just went about my business and enjoyed the company."

Bill Hermanson, whose golf home is Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, is another former champion that made the top flight. He fired a 1-under 70.

Battling rain and wind, Hermanson bogeyed three of the first four holes before settling into a groove. He went on a tear, registering birdies in five of eight holes, starting on No. 5.

"I got off to a horrible start," Hermanson said. "I was 3-over after the first four holes. The rain was coming down sideways for a few holes. Unfortunately, we played two of the hardest holes — 3 and 4 — on the course in a downpour.

"After that, I played okay."

Hermanson, who last reached the finals in 2018, has a shot at making a deep run this weekend. He was one of six golfers to shoot under par on Friday.

"If there is no rain, there's good scores to be had out there," Hermanson said. "Someone is going to go low if there is no rain because you can make putts. So, we'll see where it ends up. Got to make birdies out here."

Defending champion Nick Harrington, a former Parish Hill and ex-UConn standout, is automatically awarded the No. 2 seed. Two championship flight first-round matches on Saturday feature former champions squaring off. Hermanson, the No. 7 seed, faces No. 10 Chris DeLucia and Harrington plays No. 15 Kevin Marcoux.

Other championship flight matchups have Cameron playing No. 16 Sean Vigue, No. 8 Aaron Vargas vs. No. 9 Bill Hanley, No. 4 David Marshall vs. No. 13 Brian Zito, No. 5 Mark Stewart vs. No. 12 Jack Sullivan, No. 3 Todd Lavoie vs. No. 14 Jake Bennett and No. 6 Christian Jensen vs. No. 11 Corey Jones.

Top seeds in the other flights are John Darigan (first), Joe Nagel (second), Zach Young (third), Jack Aitken (fourth), Andrew Fitch (fifth) and James Palilla (sixth).

g.keefe@theday.com