STRATHAM — Here's one thing Windham resident Connor Greenleaf will have going for him in this week's U.S. Junior Amateur Championship: course knowledge.

Greenleaf has played six rounds at the Golf Club of New England in Stratham since he qualified for the event at the Atkinson Resort and Country Club in June.

“I'm sure I've played it more than anybody else here,” Greenleaf said following Sunday's practice round. “They made it available to New Hampshire guys. I think they'd like to see a local make a good run.”

The U.S. Junior Championship is scheduled to start this morning. After two days of stroke play, the field of 156 will be cut to the low 64 scores. The tournament will use a match-play format Wednesday through Saturday.

“Making the cut is the first thing,” Greenleaf said. “The top 64 would be great. From then on, the more matches I win the better. I'll try to make it as far as I can.”

Greenleaf, 16, is one of two New Hampshire residents in this year's field. Keene resident Chelso Barrett is the other. Barrett, 17, will be entering his senior year at Keene High School and has committed to play college golf at Texas Christian University.

“I like (the course),” Barrett said. “It has a lot of New England characteristics design-wise. It favors somebody who plays the percentage shots. It's not a course you can get overly aggressive on.”

Barrett will likely have a target on his back, since he reached the championship match in last year's U.S Junior Amateur, which was held at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash. Jordan Spieth, the low amateur at last month's U.S. Open at The Olympic Club, beat Barrett, 6 and 5.

Spieth, whao also won the U.S. Junior Amateur in 2009, and Tiger Woods are the only players who have won the U.S. Junior Amateur more than once. Woods won the event in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

“There's pressure, but it's a good kind of pressure — not a nervous pressure,” Barrett said. “I don't feel like I have to perform for anybody.”

Barrett is scheduled to tee off at 1:20 p.m. today on the 10th tee. Greenleaf has a 2 p.m. tee time, and will also start from the 10th tee. Greenleaf's threesome will include Beau Hossler, who turned in a strong performance at last month's U.S. Open.

“I like the way this course sets up for my game,” Hossler said. “It's a tough driving course. I feel good about getting my ball into play.”

Greenleaf and Barrett both said the par-3 17th hole (187 yards) and the par-4 18th (473 yards) will play a large role in determining who advances to match play.

“The toughest holes are the last two,” Greenleaf said. “You're most likely not gonna make a birdie on them.”

“I think 17 is the toughest hole on the course,” Barrett added. “The green is really small. I wouldn't mind making two 4s on that par 3.

“The last two holes will be good finishing holes for match play.”

rbrown@unionleader.com