David Renski is getting a taste of tournament golf this season.

So far, he's competed in the Palmer Cup in late May and in last week's Connecticut Amateur Championship.

The experience has re-ignited his competitive appetite.

"The fun part was being away from competition these past few years, it just felt that I was in the right place," Renski said. "I felt like I need to get back out there and need to continue to play a little bit more."

Once upon a time, Renski's life revolved basically around golf. He starred at Wheeler High School and went on to play at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, graduating from there in 2011.

Memories of his high school playing days came flooding back when asked about his highlights.

"I remember having a fantastic team sophomore year as well as my senior year and remember going to states," Renski said. "The big thing was the first high school tournament I won, which was Fishers Island my sophomore year. That was something really special."

Renski never gave up the game, playing regular rounds at Wheeler Park Golf Course in Fairfield. He's a member there and won the men's club championship two of the last three years. But he's limited his other tournament appearances due to a busy life schedule.

Now he's trying to squeeze a few tournament events in this summer.

Renski shook off the tournament rust while in the Palmer Cup at the Country Club of Waterbury on May 20, failing to make the cut while shooting a 78.

He was in sharper form at the Connecticut Amateur Championship at Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam. He advanced to match play by finishing at 6-over 148 (71-77) in two rounds of stroke play.

"It was a shock to the system," Renski said of the even par opening round.

Seeded 15th, Renski beat Nicholas Piersall of TPC River Highlands, 1-up, in his first match before losing to eventual runner-up Chandler Morris of Country Club of Waterbury, 5 and 3, in the round of 16. Morris plays on the UConn golf team.

A terrific showing by Renski, who surpassed his own expectations in his first state amateur championship appearance in about eight years.

"My expectation was just to really make it to match play," Renski said. "It's been awhile since I've really gotten a chance to compete. It was really nice to get back into the thick of it. Happy to pick up a win in the first round. Unfortunately, second round, I just didn't really have it. I had a tough competitor in Chandler Morris."

Some of his old high school competitors also were in the amateur field, including St. Bernard graduate Chris DeLucia, now the golf coach at Montville, and Waterford graduate Andrew Cavasino, who roomed and played with Renski at Sacred Heart.

All three players earned all-state honors during their high school careers.

Renski, who lives in Stratford, worked in the financial aid office at Sacred Heart until recently taking a new job as director of financial aid at Mitchell College in New London.

He's adjusting to the hour long commute along the busy Route 95 corridor.

"The nice part is there's a couple of driving ranges along the way," Renski said.

His new job gives him a chance to see his parents, who still live in North Stonington, a bit more. His father is a letter carrier in New London. He served as his caddie at the Connecticut State Amateur.

He's unsure whether his schedule will allow time to play in many tournaments. He'd love to compete in the Connecticut Mid-Amateur and Connecticut Public Links, both in August.

His taste of tournament golf has made him eager to compete.

"It was fun to see," Renski said. "Happy to see my game can contend. Just got to get some more reps and more practice time in."

Short putts

• Stonington Country Club's membership is growing. About 33 new members have joined the club in the last couple of months.

"We're gaining a fair amount of members," pro Michael Myszkowski said. "I attribute (the growth) to positive changes we're makings and members really reaching out to people."

Changes include a beautiful new 1,200 square foot pub where the outdoor patio used to be. An office occupies the old bar space. The club also has hired Suzanne Crowther as its membership, hospitality and marketing manager.

The club also offers a deal for active military members, waving the initiation fee and giving a slight reduction in dues depending on rank.

In other Stonington news, Bill and Greg Loweth combined to win the Member-Member tournament on June 15. Gail Charles and Claudia Rousseau finished first in the women's competition.

Michael Hawley shot a 76 to capture the club's stroke play tournament earlier this month Mahesh Krishnan and Eric Briggs tied at 77.

Stonington Cup competition is underway for both men and women. Joe Williams and Mary Lou Andrias are defending champions.

• Recently graduated Waterford High School teammates Ryan Sadosky and Caroline Petchark capped their fine high school careers with strong showings at the New England Championship Wednesday at Bretwood Country Club in Keene, N.H.

In the boys' competition, Sadosky tied for 11th place with a 75. He was the fourth best finisher among Connecticut golfers. Petchark posted the second best score from Connecticut and tied for 13th overall with an 80. Both earned all-state honors this season.

• The Elmridge Senior Club championship final will feature familiar foes. Top seed Pete Stefanski will play George Luzzi for the title on Sunday. Stefanski's trophy case is already stuffed with numerous senior and men's club crowns.

• Add one more name to the list of local high school golfers that finished in the top five in the girls' state open tournament history.

Jen Hildebrand of Fitch placed second in 2000 and went on to attend Elon University in North Carolina on a partial scholarship. Hildebrand, now the media relations manager for the Connecticut Sun and New England Black Wolves, has won the Shennecossett Golf Course women's club tournament two times.

• Several golfers with local ties are competing in the 114th Rhode Island Amateur Championship at Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Westerly. Rain interrupted the second round of stroke play on Tuesday. The top 32 players will qualify for match play.

When play was stopped on Tuesday, Andrew Leary of Pawtucket Country Club had a one stroke lead at 4-under 67. Nick Hedden, a Waterford graduate, and Killingly golf coach Kevin Marcoux both stood at 5-over 76. Jeff Clang and Drew Aitken of Connecticut National are at 77 and 78, respectively, while Chris DeLucia shot an 85 in the first round.

Dave McNally of Quinnatisset Country Club finished both rounds at 156 (75-81) and Jeff DeLucia of Connecticut National had a two-round total of 162 (82-80).

Upcoming events

• Registration is open for the 93rd annual Norwich Invitational, the oldest running amateur tournament in the state. The tournament runs July 19-21 at Norwich Golf Course. For more information, call the golf shop (889-6973) or email pro Mike Svab (msvab@norwichgolf.com).

• Teaching pro Chris Hedden is running a four day youth golf camp for kids ages seven through 15 at Elmridge. The first session will be held July 8-11 and second session July 9-12. Cost is $300 per golfer and includes range balls and greens fee.

• Qualifying tournaments are underway for the 85th Connecticut Open Championship, which tees off on July 19 at Torrington Country Club. Bill Hermanson of Black Hall Club shot a 77 at the Lake of Isles on June 4 to earn a spot in the field.

• Thomas Ward of Shennecossett Golf Course, Mitchell Etess of Old Lyme Country Club, Tony Susi of Mohegan Sun Golf Club and Hermanson have signed up to play in the 13th Senior Match Play Championship that runs from July 1-3 at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford.

• Please send golf column items to g.keefe@theday.com