Blake Goes Back-to-Back at 125th New Jersey Amateur Championship
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — From his opening tee shot to the final putt, Barnes Blake was in control. The defending champion completed a wire-to-wire victory at the 125th New Jersey Amateur Championship presented by Provident Bank on Wednesday, successfully defending his title at Baltusrol Golf Club.
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After opening the championship with a 66 on Monday morning, Blake never relinquished the lead over 72 holes, becoming just the 14th player since stroke play was adopted in 1971 to lead from start to finish. He also became the first player to successfully defend the New Jersey Amateur Championship since Michael Stamberger captured consecutive titles in 2013 and 2014.
"This was the event I had circled on my calendar all year since they announced it last year," Blake said. "Being the defending champion and then also being at my home course, it was one that I wanted to win really badly. I'm really excited that I was able to get it done."
With much calmer weather greeting the field after three challenging days at Baltusrol, scoring conditions improved during Wednesday's final two rounds. Blake never allowed the favorable conditions to open the door for the field, instead continuing to extend his advantage with the same disciplined approach that had carried him all week.
"I knew I was hitting the ball really well, and I know these greens so well," Blake explained. "I just felt like I had to trust my game and continue to play deliberate golf, not start chasing pins. I felt like I did a really good job being disciplined and avoiding too many mistakes."
Blake closed with a 5-under-par 67, recording seven birdies against two bogeys to finish at 12-under-par for the championship. Remarkably, all four of his rounds were under par, and he took full advantage of Baltusrol's scoring opportunities by birdieing each of the Upper Course's four par-5 holes during the final round.
His championship was even more impressive considering its beginning. After sitting 3-over par through his first six holes of the tournament Monday morning, Blake responded by playing his final 66 holes in 15-under par.
"It definitely felt like a long tournament," Blake recalled. "I expected myself to come out here and put on a good performance, and it started really rough. To go 15-under my last 66 holes, I was really proud of myself. It was a big grind, but I managed to pull it off in the end."
The victory also carried added meaning as Blake accomplished the feat in front of family, friends and the Baltusrol membership.
"It's really special to see everyone be so supportive of me," Blake expressed. "The membership, all the professional staff here, and then also seeing all the members from Echo Lake come out too, it just means the world to me."
While Blake remained focused inside the ropes, his biggest supporters experienced every shot with a different set of emotions. Following his final round were his mother, Amy, father, Dexter, sister, Emma, and brother, Henry, who watched his championship journey unfold every step of the way.
“We’re just really proud of him and all the hard work that he puts in,” his father, Dexter said. “It’s great to see it all pay off.”
“It’s been incredible to watch,” his mother, Amy, remarked. “It was very emotional.”
After competing in the opening two rounds, Henry Blake spent the final day following Barnes, cheering on his older brother who has long served as his role model on the golf course.
“Going back-to-back is really special,” Henry Blake added. “It’s really good to have someone to look up to like that.”
“I’m just really proud of him,” his sister Emma finished.
Coincidentally, the last player to lead every round at Baltusrol was George E. Haines Jr., who captured the 1979 championship by two strokes.
While Blake remained firmly in control, the battle for the remaining spots on the leaderboard featured several outstanding performances.
Troy Vannucci turned in the round of the day, carding a 7-under-par 65 to climb into solo second place. The finish marked his second career runner-up result in the New Jersey Amateur Championship. Rory Asselta also made a late charge, firing a 5-under-par 67 highlighted by eight birdies.
With the victory, Blake earns an exemption into the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club, Aug. 10-16, where he will look to build on another opportunity against the nation's best amateurs.
"I could not be more excited to go to Merion," Blake said. "After my performance last year, I wasn't too happy with how I played. To have another crack at it, I'm over the moon and can't wait to tee it up."
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