Espenshade Finishes 3rd at 125th New Jersey Amateur Championship at Baltusrol
Jul 08 | Men's Golf
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (July 8, 2026) – Rutgers men's golf rising junior Bennett Espenshade delivered one of the strongest performances of his amateur career this week, finishing solo third at the 125th New Jersey Amateur Championship presented by Provident Bank, contested July 6-8 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.
Espenshade posted a 72-hole total of 2-under-par 282 (69-68-72-73), one of just three under-par finishers in a field that featured the deepest collection of amateur talent in the Garden State. Playing out of Fiddler's Elbow Country Club, the 21-year-old was the top collegiate finisher in the championship.
Baltusrol, a National Historic Landmark and host of 18 major championships, provided a demanding milestone stage for the state's premier amateur event. The 125th playing was contested across the club's renowned Lower and Upper Courses, with a cut to the low 40 and ties after 36 holes and a 36-hole final day deciding the champion.
Espenshade wasted no time asserting himself. In rain-soaked opening-round conditions Monday on the 7,010-yard Lower Course, he carded a 1-under 69 — the only under-par round of the day other than the leader's — to sit solo second. After falling 2-over early, he played his final nine in 2-under 32 to climb the leaderboard.
"I drove it great and I putted pretty well," Espenshade told NJ Golf following the opening round.
He backed it up Tuesday with a 2-under 68, the low round among the chasers, to enter the final day firmly in contention at 3-under. Rounds of 72 and 73 over Wednesday's 36-hole finale secured a podium finish, three shots clear of fourth place.
Barnes Blake of Baltusrol Golf Club successfully defended his title, closing at 12-under 272 to win by seven over runner-up Troy Vannucci (5-under 279). Espenshade finished third at 2-under 282.
The showing continues a rising trajectory for Espenshade, who competed in the 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship and has established himself as a cornerstone of head coach Rob Shutte's lineup heading into the 2026-27 season.
Rutgers men's golf returns to competition this fall.
FINAL LEADERBOARD (Top 5)
| Pos. | Player | To Par | Scores | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnes Blake (Baltusrol GC) | -12 | 66-70-69-67 | 272 |
| 2 | Troy Vannucci (Little Mill CC) | -5 | 70-73-71-65 | 279 |
| 3 | Bennett Espenshade (Fiddler's Elbow CC / Rutgers) | -2 | 69-68-72-73 | 282 |
| T4 | Rory Asselta (Ramsey G&CC) | +1 | 75-74-69-67 | 285 |
| T4 | Thomas Lamorte (NJ Golf E-Club) | +1 | 71-73-70-71 | 285 |
