Blake Battles Back to Win 124th New Jersey Amateur Championship
WEST ORANGE, N.J. –– Barnes Blake of Baltusrol Golf Club captured the 124th New Jersey Amateur Championship presented by Provident Bank earlier today at the par-71, 6,900 yard Essex County Country Club. Barnes finished the 72-hole tournament at 4-under par (71-74-68-67, 280) and clinched the championship following a three hole aggregate playoff victory against Troy Vannucci. With the win, Blake earns a spot at the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship, set for August 11-17 at The Olympic Club (Lake & Ocean Course) in San Francisco, Calif.
“I could not be more excited to go compete in the U.S. Am again,” Blake said following his round. “I played in my first one last year and it was an experience unlike any other. I grew so much as a player by just being able to compare myself to those top amateurs and I can't wait for Olympic this year.”
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No lead was safe at Essex County on Wednesday afternoon, as multiple players held the lead at one point or another, battling for the Edwin M. Wild Trophy over the final two rounds.
Blake was 3-over par (71-74, 145) heading into the last day of the tournament. Although an eagle on the 421-yard par-4 4th hole during his first round highlighted his scorecard, the 20-year-old persisted into rounds three and four.
“It was just kind of a blur, honestly. I didn't play amazing the last two days. But I felt like I hung in there," Blake commented. “The first two days, you can't win a golf tournament, but you can lose it. I didn't lose it, fortunately.”
Playing six back from the lead, Blake jumped out to a strong start in his third round with a 3-under par 68, opening the door for him to climb up the leaderboard. Accompanied by three birdies on his front nine, a bogey-free back nine completed Blake’s scorecard Wednesday morning.
“I came out with a hot start on the back nine,” Blake said. “I’ve hit so many golf shots that I I have faith in my game, no matter how far back I am. I hit a bunch of good shots yesterday that gave me a lot of confidence going into the final rounds. I was hoping to catch fire and put on a good showing today, and that's kind of what happened."
The Westfield native continued his momentum through his fourth round, stringing together a blemish-free front nine capped off by two birdies going into the turn. Blake’s game remained solid through his final nine holes as he added one birdie and a crucial eagle on the 334-yard par 4, 14th hole.
“I just felt like I struck it very well today,” Blake said on his overall game. “I switched putters on Saturday, so that was kind of a big change. I wasn't really sure whether I should do it or not. It was a little shaky the first two days and then it shined through today and that was ultimately the differentiator.”
“It was kind of a gamble, but I believe that gamble paid off,” Blake finished.
The rising junior at Georgetown University recently finished fifth at the MGA's Ike Stroke Play Championship, and second at the 2025 BIG EAST Men’s Golf Championship. With help from his younger brother, Henry, as his caddie throughout the week, Blake charged through the final round of the championship.
“It was really special having my brother on the bag,” Blake said. “He was on the bag the whole week. He's caddied for me a couple other times. We've unfortunately never won, so this is the first one and it was it was just awesome. Just being able to spend so much quality time with him, it was a ton of fun.”
Vannucci finished in second place, also putting in a 4-under par (68-71-69-72, 280). The Marlton-native got out to a strong start in the morning third round with four birdies to round out his 2-under par 69.
With a clubhouse lead going into the final round of the tournament, Vannucci battled through his final round and forced a playoff on No. 18 with a clutch 10-foot birdie putt.
Colin Summers of Plainfield Country Club, finished tied for third at 3-under par (66-73-71-69, 281).
Summers, of Westfield began the third round on No. 10, rebounded after his opening nine which included a bogey and a double. His back nine (Holes 1-9) was bogey-free, and a crucial birdie on No. 9 kept the former Fairfield University Stag within striking distance of the top spot on the leaderboard heading into the final round.
Elliot Parker, of Suburban Golf Club, also finished 3-under par (68-73-71-69, 281), to finish tied for third.
The rising senior at Drew University played a strong third round, highlighted by two birdies on his front nine to give him early momentum. In his fourth round, Parker packed three birdies on holes 6,7 and 8 heading into the turn, and played a near bogey-free back nine to follow.
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