CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Just a short 12 hours after qualifying for his first USGA event, Caden Blanchette wasn’t relaxing at home.
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He was up early volunteering his time with the York Country Junior Golf Association (YCJGA) helping young kids learn about the game.
“My dad helped me get started in golf,” Blanchette, a rising senior at Northeastern Senior High School, said. “I thought that there might be kids out there who are looking for an outlet to get out and learn a new sport. There are so many great lessons the game teaches. I love to give back to the game and the community. The YCJGA was important to me so I wanted to help kids get what I got. I look forward to helping more when I can.”
Blanchette, aided by his patience and clutch putting, claimed medalist honors in U.S. Junior Amateur Qualifying Monday at Chambersburg Country Club (par 73, 6,801 yards) with a round of 69.
Will Hartman of Charlotte, N.C. (70) and Bennett Espenshade of Baltimore, Md. (72) grabbed the final two spots. Espenshade advanced in a 2-for-1 playoff over Michael Lugiano of Jackson Township, Pa.
“It is amazing, I was so happy to qualify for the U.S. Junior,” Blanchette, 17, of Manchester, Pa., said. “The experience at Qualifying was great. I can’t imagine what it will feel like when I get to Daniel Island Club in July.”
The 75th U.S. Junior Amateur will take place July 24-29 at Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C.
Blanchette started slow. He was 1-over through seven holes looking for a spark.
“I’ve been playing in tournaments a lot the last year,” Blanchette said. “I try to stay calm and patient throughout my rounds. I didn’t start great yesterday and I didn’t have my best stuff, but I knew that the birdie putts would drop soon. I was fortunate they started to drop.”
The birdie barrage began with a birdie on No. 8 (par 4, 370 yards). He pitched a 60-degree wedge from 60 yards to 12 feet.
Consecutive red figures on Nos. 10 (par 4, 336 yards) and 11 (par 3, 191 yards) vaulted him into the mix.
A crisp lob wedge from 80 yards to tap-in range on No. 14 (par 5, 535 yards) as well as an 8-foot curler on No. 17 (par 5, 513 yards) got him to the magic number.
Blanchette credits his change in mental attitude to his success on the course. Remaining positive when things aren’t going to plan.
“I started putting a smiley face on my golf ball,” Blanchette said. “I am constantly reminding myself to have fun because that is why I play golf.”
Now a trip South awaits. An opportunity to test his game in a National Championship is one that Blanchette says he is excited and prepared for.
“I am excited to travel with my whole family for this tournament,” Blanchette, of Cool Creek Golf Club, said. “I can’t wait to compete in a tournament with the best Junior golfers.”
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 340 Member Clubs and 100,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote,
preserve and protect the game of golf.
| Qualifiers | |
| Name, city, state | Score |
| Caden Blanchette, Manchester, Pa. | 69 |
| Will Hartman, Charlotte, N.C. | 70 |
| Bennett Espenshade, Baltimore, Md. | 72 |
| Alternates (in order) | |
| *Michael Lugiano, Jackson Township, Pa. | 72 |
| *Hayden Quinn, Leesburg, Va. | 73 |
| Failed to qualify | |
| *Davis Conaway, West Chester, Pa. | 73 |
| *Eddie Gu, Canada | 73 |
| Nicholas Prieto, Miami, Fla. | 74 |
| John Keba, Emmaus, Pa. | 74 |
| Holland Giles, Pinehurst, N.C. | 74 |
| Dylan Ramsey, Lebanon, Pa. | 74 |
| William Ma, San Diego, Calif. | 74 |
| Evan Eichenlaub, Bethlehem, Pa. | 76 |
| Ajeet Bagga, Blue Bell, Pa. | 76 |
| Quin Zuegner, New Hope, Pa. | 76 |
| Aiden Patel, Ashburn, Va. | 76 |
| Luke McGraw, Boalsburg, Pa. | 76 |
| Logan Wagner, Quarryville, Pa. | 77 |
| Isaiah Marseille, Linden, N.J. | 77 |
| Payton Schmitt, Raleigh, N.C. | 77 |
| Michael Deussing, Solebury, Pa. | 78 |
| Rua Kimotho, McLean, Va. | 78 |
| Ian Natale, Blue Bell, Pa. | 78 |
| Bhuvas Nagpal, McLean, Va. | 79 |
| Argyle Downes, Charlestown, W.Va. | 79 |
| Ross Wright, Thailand | 79 |
| Samuel Thome, Winchester, Va. | 79 |
| Piyachote Naphapayarksiri, Thailand | 79 |
| Alexander Mcclain, Reston, Va. | 79 |
| Drew Clark, Kennett Square, Pa. | 79 |
| Harrison Brown, Villanova, Pa. | 80 |
| Juleon Habib, Tarpon Springs, Pa. | 80 |
| Pierce Hokenson, Mclean, Va. | 80 |
| Timothy Peters, State College, Pa. | 80 |
| Lannon Boyd, Radnor, Pa. | 80 |
| Ratchanon Aiemsumang, Thailand | 82 |
| Evan Jozwiak, McLean, Va. | 83 |
| Nickolas Baum, Roaring Spring, Pa. | 84 |
| Anthony Depietress, Enola, Pa. | 84 |
| Ryan Hromiak, Blandon, Pa. | 84 |
| Ian Larsen, Glenmoore, Pa. | 85 |
| Judah Fulchiero, Hollidaysburg, Pa. | 85 |
| Blaise Masciantonio, Gibsonia, Pa. | 85 |
| Andrew Bushey, Cavetown, Mass. | 86 |
| Joseph McGinty, Lititz, Pa. | 86 |
| Roger Williams, Gibsonia, Pa. | 86 |
| Declan McLane, Wyncote, Pa. | 87 |
| Colin Sarnoski, Coopersburg, Pa. | 88 |
| Dharit Iemkanitchat, Thailand | 90 |
| Cade Kelleher, Clarks Summit, Pa. | 91 |
| Thomas Ubriaco, Bethlehem, Pa. | 92 |
| Reagan Flynn, Annville, Pa. | 93 |
| Sean Kelly, Palmyra, Pa. | 106 |
| Harris Camp, McLean, Va. | NS |
| NS – no show | |
| *determined in a playoff |
