WKU golf’s Rafe Blankenship earns runner-up finish in Kentucky Men’s Amateur

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – WKU men’s golfer Rafe Blankenship finished as the runner-up in the 112th Kentucky Men’s Amateur at the University of Louisville Golf Club on June 18.

Over three days of competition, Blankenship shot 205 for an 11-under-par finish.

He shot 71 after the first round on the course which tied him for 10th place heading into day two, but jumped up several spots after a solid 67-stroke day during the second round.

Blankenship concluded the tournament with another score of 67 to lock in his second place finish and came just one stroke away from tying the Amateur’s victor.

As runner-up, the rising senior earned exemption into the 2027 U.S. Amateur final qualifying round which is a brand new achievement for his golf career.

“ It’s super exciting” Blankenship said. “Definitely gives you something to practice for. Anybody that plays high-level amateur golf wants to play in the U.S. Amateur, and it’s a super awesome tournament to get to experience. I’ve never got to play in one before, so it’s going to be a great opportunity for me to be able to skip local qualifying and get straight into final qualifying. It just makes it one step easier.”

This was Blankenship’s third time competing in the Kentucky Men’s Amateur and his highest placement yet.

Not only was he repping the Hilltoppers, but also his hometown of Allen County, and getting to compete at such a high level in his home state is super meaningful.

“ I’m very proud of where I’m from,” Blankenship said. “I’m very proud of being from the state of Kentucky and being from Allen County. I got a lot of buddies that I play with… We’ve put out some good players in the last couple years, and we always rep this part of the state. We’re very proud to be from here, and especially very proud to be from Kentucky. It’s always fun to compete against all the guys in your state and give yourself a chance to win.”