Griffin Barke Named the 45th Boy’s Junior Amateur Champion

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Griffin Barke Named the 45th Boy's Junior Amateur Champion

PROSPECT, KY – Day three of the 45th Kentucky Boys Junior Amateur began at 7:00 a.m. EDT and finished at 4:00 p.m.. Griffin Barke had a phenomenal three days, shooting only three shots shy of the course record on day two to lead him into the championship round. Despite a rollercoaster of a background, the University of North Caroline Wilmington commit kept his lead all day to capture the Kentucky Boys Junior Amateur trophy.

Barke has been on a roll this past year, taking home the KHSAA regional championship semi-state championship trophies as well as being selected for the First Team All-State Kentucky. Barke is a long-time player on the Kentucky Junior PGA Tour, with wins dating back to 2016 when he was in the 8 & Under division. Taking home this win was a wonderful way to wrap up his time as a player on the KPGA Junior Tour.

Barke came in ready to fire after his stellar second round. His score of 64 gave other players in the lead something to shoot for as they arrived at the course this morning. Warren Thomis, Jacob Rafferty, and Weston Miller were all sitting a few shots behind Barke heading into the day. The leaders headed into the last two tee times of the day to battle it out for the coveted Junior Am trophy. Thomis made a strong run to catch up to the lead on the back nine, but ultimately the -8 cushion Barke had created during round two helped him to secure the win.

Thomis, the defending Boys' Junior Am champion, walked away the solo runner up after carding 13 birdies throughout the three rounds. Though this round did not end as he had hoped, Thomis has several more chances to dominate on golf courses in the state and beyond as he begins his college career at the University of Louisville this fall.

The Boys 13-15 Division also concluded on Wednesday, dominated by Carson Nicholas. Rounds of 69-71-72 gave Nicholas a total score of 212 (-4), earning him a six-stroke margin of victory over those who tied for second: Adrian Bewley, Bryce Vernon, and Brady Parker. Bewley ultimately took home the runner-up title after winning a score card playoff based on the final nine holes of play.

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The Kentucky PGA Junior Tour extends its thanks to Robert Costello, PGA, Todd Smith, GCSAA and their teams at Nevel Meade Golf Club for their assistance in making this major championship happen. Appreciation is also expressed towards each player, family member, and spectator who attended the event and played a role in its success.

The next tournament on the Tour’s schedule open for registration is the Louisville Junior Championship. It will take place from Oxmoor Country Club on July 15-16 with registration closing on Sunday night (July 7th) at 11:00 p.m. EDT.