Lexington, KY (June 15, 2023) - A finish to remember, in the 109-year history of the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Amateur took place this week at Kearney Hill Golf Links. After a day where two players dominated the leaderboard for a share of the lead, it was Justin Tereshko who departed victorious for his first career State Amateur triumph.

Tereshko is an accomplished amateur who competes across the country but is also known for being the Head Men’s Golf Coach at Eastern Kentucky University. Today, he adds the oldest championship in Kentucky golf to his resume with a total score of 204 (-9). Rounds of 70-66-68 got him to that mark after coming into the day tied for the lead with Campbell Kremer. Unlike last year at Indian Hills, Tereshko was able to clinch the victory on the 18th green with a tap-in birdie putt. 

The journey to get to that point was a fun show for all spectators. Kremer and Tereshko entered the final round at six under par with a two-stroke lead on their nearest competitor. Tereshko, Kremer, and Micah Stangebye were our final pairing of the day. Stangebye got off to a rocky start with bogeys at hole three and hole five and turned at one over after a birdie on the ninth. Up ahead of them, Jackson Finney of the University of Cincinnati was charging up the leaderboard. Kremer played steady on the front nine turning at two under par. Tereshko had a little bit more of a colorful front nine with three birdies and two bogeys. The back nine was where things started to shift in Tereshko’s favor. 

Finney continued his push with two birdies and an eagle to finish with the low round of the day 64 (-7). This was good enough to push him into a tie for the lead while the leaders were approaching the 17th tee. Stangebye couldn’t get much going on the back nine as he proceeded to make three birdies and three bogeys which eliminated him from contention. Kremer held a two-shot lead until the 17th hole, which is where the tournament got interesting. 

The 17th at Kearney Hill is normally a 440-yard par four from the championship tees. However, the hole was made drivable for the championship round. The hole is lined down the right side with a large pond and the green is protected by multiple bunkers on the left and right. Kremer with a two-shot lead played conservatively laying up with an iron off the tee. Tereshko, needing to make up some ground, went for the green and left himself a chip from the left of the green. Kremer had about 120 yards left for his second shot, but the shot was misjudged ending up long off the green. The hole ended with a two-shot swing as Kremer failed to get up and down for his par and Tereshko took advantage of the short hole making a birdie. 

The tournament was officially Tereshko’s on the 18th green. Kremer made a steady par on the final hole which wasn’t a match compared to Tereshko’s birdie. He even put some flair on his clinching putt by tapping in with the backend of his putter. 

Here’s what Tereshko had to say about his experience during the championship and ultimately becoming our 109^th champion.

How did you feel coming into the week of the championship?

“I felt good coming into the tournament. I had been playing really well the past few weeks and I just tried to relax once I got to Kearney.”

 What did you do in the final round to get the job done?
“I stayed patient all day Thursday, my two bogies came from two funky lies, so I never panicked. I knew if I could keep it close, anything could happen on the last two holes since 17 was made drivable and 18 being a reachable par 5”

How does it feel to get your first Kentucky Amateur Title?

After losing in a playoff (thanks to a holed 60-footer on the final hole by Fadlehi) in 2018, it was nice to finish birdie-birdie to win outright by a shot. It still hasn’t sunk in, I am honored and blessed to be the 109^th champion of this event”

With Tereshko capturing the championship, Kremer and Finney share runner-up honors. Clay Pendergrass and Andrew Flynn finish at a tie for 4th while Stangebye finishes at solo 6th. 

NOTES & STATS

• For the fourth consecutive year, there were no weather delays during the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Kentucky Amateur.
• Finney’s round of 64 (-7) was the low round of the day by one stroke. Luke Coyle had a stellar 65 (-6). 
• For the third consecutive day, the par-five 18th was the easiest hole of the day with 203 birdies and 9 eagles made throughout the championship.
• The par-three 8^th was the hardest hole during the tournament. This would probably be the last guess for most, but the tough par three play more than half a stroke higher relative to par each day.
• Only 4 eagles were made during the final round of the championship which was a testament to the course setup during the event. In 2019 at the Kentucky Open, 19-under par was in a playoff to decide the champion.
• Low rounds for each day are as follows: Day one – Campbell Kremer & Micah Stangebye (69), Day Two – Clay Pendergrass (64), Day Three – Jackson Finney (64)
• Colonel S. Lee Read (Low Junior) – Clay Pendergrass 208 (-5)
• Uncle Joe Dixon (Low Pub-Links) – Andrew Flynn 208 (-5)
• Harold Kirkpatrick (Low Senior) – Buddy Bryant 221 (+8)

Click Here to View the Final Results

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The Kentucky Golf Association extends its thanks to Whitney Paul, PGA Head Golf Professional, Justin Mullinax, Director of Golf, and the entire staff at Kearney Hill for their assistance in creating a special championship.

The KGA also sends its gratitude towards each of the 156 players, their caddies, family members, and friends who were on the grounds this week and contributed to the success of one of the greatest editions of the championship in its history.

Another State Amateur takes place in the next couple of weeks, however, with the 96^th Clark’s Pump-N-Shop Women’s Kentucky Amateur set to take place at Bowling Green Country Club on June 26-28.

About the Kentucky Golf Association:
The Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) is one of the three organizations encompassed under Golf House Kentucky, in addition to the Kentucky Golf Foundation (KGF) and Kentucky PGA Section (KPGA). The Kentucky Golf Association represents the amateur body of Kentucky’s golfers working in assistance with the United States Golf Association (USGA). The KGA provides a wide range of services, including handicapping, USGA course and slope ratings, and tournament management software to its Member Clubs. The KGA also operates the state’s premier amateur tournaments along with USGA National Championship qualifiers. Alongside the KGF and KPGA, the KGA strives to promote the benefits and enjoyment of golf while continuing to grow the sport across the Commonwealth.