Alumnus Competes in U.S. Open at Pebble Beach

6/7/2010
Bennett Blakeman, a 2009 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, finished first in the U.S. Open Golf sectional qualifying on June 7 and will participate at the U.S. Open, which will be played June 17-20 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links.

Blakeman, from Burr Ridge, Ill., shot rounds of 67 and 71 for a total of 138 at the par 72, 7030-yard Bull Valley Country Club in Woodstock, Ill. He hit every green in regulation in the morning round.

Former tour professional Jerry Smith of Scottsdale, Ariz., also qualified as he finished second to Blakeman with a 139 total (72-67) and Unversity of Minnesota collegiate golfer Donald Constable of Wayzata, Minn. is the first alternate with his 36-hole score of 140 (69-71).

Veteran touring professional Corey Pavin of Dallas, Texas, who was the winner of the 1995 U.S. Open, finished fourth at Bull Valley with a score of 141 (70-71) and is the second alternate. He will captain the U.S. Ryder Cup team this fall.

Blakeman told Golfweek Magazine contributor D.J. Piehowski: “As well as I played in the first round, I guess I thought it was out there for everybody else. I was in the first group, so I had no idea where I stood. I thought I needed to keep my foot down, so I guess that was my mindset more than anything else.”

Approximately 90 total qualifying spots will be awarded through the 13 sectional qualifiers to fill the championship field of 156 players.

Blakeman, who plays as an amateur, is pursuing a master's degree at Loyola as a full time student and also has a part time internship. He previously advanced to sectional competition along with five other players by carding an even par 72 at Water’s Edge Golf Club in Worth, Ill.

Blakeman had a career average at Illinois Wesleyan of 75.1 over 68 rounds and tied for eighth in the 2009 NCAA Division III men's golf championships. He was the medalist of the 2009 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championships after finishing third in the 2008 CCIW tourney. He tied for 33rd at the NCAA championship tournament.