Former Lyons Township High School golfer Bennett Blakeman (class of 2005) played against some of the sport’s best last weekend at the infamous Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Blakeman, 23, who helped lead the Lions to a seventh-place tie with Glenbard North in the 2004 IHSA Class AA Boys State Golf Meet, competed in his first U.S. Open. Blakeman scored an 81 in the opening round with two birdies and six pars. In Round 2, he shot an 85, cupping a single birdie and seven pars.
Blakeman, who played golf in college at Illinois Wesleyan and now calls Burr Ridge home, didn’t qualify for the third and fourth rounds. He finished the tournament 24-over.
The former Lion qualified for the U.S. Open by shooting a 67-71 at Bull Valley Country Club to earn medalist honors in the sectional. Blakeman, currently a graduate student at Loyola University, outshot 1995 U.S. Open winner Corey Pavin to qualify.
Blakeman was one of nine amateurs who qualified for the Open.
Adding to his golfing achievements this summer, Blakeman also had his first hole-in-one earlier this month.
-Brad Spencer
