Golf: Barnes Blake Records Top 15 finish at Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship - TAPinto

Barnes Blake is heading home — and he's going back as the champion.

The Georgetown senior and Westfield High School graduate finished in a five-way tie for 12th at the 71st Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, New York, shooting a 2-over-par 212 across three rounds. Now he turns his attention to the 125th New Jersey Amateur Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield — the course where he grew up playing — running July 6 through 8. Union County Life is tracking Blake's summer run as he looks to become a back-to-back NJ Amateur champion.

How the Ike MGA Played Out

Blake, an All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, opened with back-to-back 69s on the par-70, 6,800-yard layout, carding two birdies in each of the first two rounds. The final round was harder to close. He converted just one birdie — on the sixth hole — and finished with a 74.

"I played solid for most of the tournament," Blake said. "I hit the ball nicely tee to green, but I couldn't get many putts to fall. I just wasn't able to make enough birdies to be in contention late in the final round."

Fellow Westfield graduate Tate Esler, a Skidmore College senior, also competed at Sleepy Hollow and finished in a four-way tie for 34th with a 12-over-par 222 (72-75-75).

Defending at Baltusrol

Blake won the 124th New Jersey Amateur last year with a 4-under-par 280 and a three-hole aggregate playoff victory over Troy Vannucci. He returns to Baltusrol — his home course — as the title holder.

He tees off Monday at 8:18 a.m. on the first hole alongside Dean Greyersman and Michael Asselta. Asselta is a three-time NJ.com first team All-Stater who arrives fresh off a win at the NJPGA Junior Section Championship at Rossmoor in Monroe Township.

The Blake Brothers at Baltusrol

Barnes won't be the only Blake in the field. His youngest brother Henry — a soon-to-be junior at Delbarton — tees off 24 minutes earlier at 7:54 a.m. alongside Reed Greyersman and Rory Asselta.

Rory Asselta brings his own credentials to the tee: a two-time NJ.com first team All-Stater, back-to-back state champion, and soon-to-be junior at St. Joseph (Mont.), who arrives at the NJ Amateur coming off a win at the AJGA RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic at Bethpage State Park's Black Course on June 26.

Stay informed about Westfield news and announcements on Union County Life.

FAQ

How did Barnes Blake finish at the Ike MGA Stroke Play Championship?
Blake tied for 12th with a 2-over-par 212 across three rounds at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, New York.

When and where is the 125th New Jersey Amateur Championship?
July 6–8 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ.

Is Barnes Blake the defending NJ Amateur champion?
Yes. Blake won the 124th NJ Amateur last year at 4-under par, defeating Troy Vannucci in a three-hole aggregate playoff.

Are any other Westfield golfers competing at the NJ Amateur?
Henry Blake, Barnes's younger brother and a soon-to-be Delbarton junior, is also in the field and tees off Monday at 7:54 a.m.

Who is Barnes Blake playing with at the NJ Amateur?
Blake tees off Monday at 8:18 a.m. alongside Dean Greyersman and Michael Asselta, a three-time NJ.com first team All-Stater fresh off a win at the NJPGA Junior Section Championship.