Westfield Golfer Barnes Blake Playing in U.S. Amateur This Week

Barnes Blake, a former Westfield High School standout and soon-to-be Georgetown senior, is competing in the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The championship represents the pinnacle of amateur golf competition, drawing some of the nation's top amateur players.

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Competition Structure

Blake began competing Monday in one of the first groups to tee off at 7 a.m. ET alongside fellow New Jersey golfer Drue Nicholas, a former St. Augustine Prep standout, and Matthew Lowe from Farmingdale, New York. One of 312 golfers competing in the championship, Blake competed in 18 holes of stroke play on Monday and Tuesday at two qualifying courses: Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club.

After the first two days of stroke play, the low 64 scorers advance to match play competition starting Wednesday, August 12. The championship concludes with a 36-hole match on Sunday, August 16.

Recent Form

Blake enters the U.S. Amateur in strong form. He captured the 24th MGA Met Amateur Championship as the 11th seed on Sunday at Deepdale Golf Club with a 7-and-5 victory over Christian Cavaliere.

The win comes less than four weeks after Blake won the 125th New Jersey Amateur Championship at his home course, Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield. Blake became the first player to defend the New Jersey Amateur title since Michael Stamberger in 2013 and 2014, marking a significant achievement in state golf competition.

Championship History

At the 124th U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2024, Blake tied for 86th in stroke play with scores of 71-73 for a total of 144. At last year's U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club, he shot 77-80 for a total of 157, missing advancement to match play competition.

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FAQ

Q: Is Westfield golfer Barnes Blake competing in the U.S. Amateur?
A: Yes. Barnes Blake, a Westfield High School graduate and Georgetown University senior-to-be, is competing in the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

Q: When does the U.S. Amateur match play start?
A: Match play begins Wednesday, August 12, 2026, after two days of stroke play qualifying Monday and Tuesday.

Q: When does the U.S. Amateur conclude?
A: The championship concludes with a 36-hole match on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Q: How many golfers are competing?
A: 312 golfers are competing in the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship.

Q: How many advance from stroke play?
A: The low 64 scorers advance from stroke play to match play competition.

Q: What is Barnes Blake's home course?
A: Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, is Blake's home course.

Q: What titles has Barnes Blake won recently?
A: Blake won the 125th New Jersey Amateur Championship at Baltusrol and the 24th MGA Met Amateur Championship. He defended the New Jersey Amateur title with a 7-and-5 victory in the MGA Met Amateur.

Q: Has Blake competed in the U.S. Amateur before?
A: Yes. Blake competed at Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2024 and The Olympic Club in 2025, but did not advance past stroke play at the 2025 event.