Aug. 6, 2009

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas -- Louisiana Tech junior college transfer Cody Blankenship qualified for the U.S. Amateur this week after he shot a four-under par 140 to finish third at the sectional qualifier held at Tangle Ridge Golf Course.

"I am proud of Cody and his performance at the U.S. Amateur qualifier," Tech head coach Jeff Parks said. "I wish him the best of luck at the championship."

Blankenship finished only one stroke behind the two leaders who both shot a 139. He concluded round one with an even-par 72 and finished round two with a four-under 68.

Blankenship will be one of 312 amateurs competing in the U.S. Amateur Championship scheduled for Aug. 24-30 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla.

Prior to signing with the Bulldogs in April, Blankenship was a standout at Tyler Junior College. In his two years with the Apaches, he medaled in three tournaments, led his team to the Texas State Championships and was named to the Ping All-American Team as a freshman. He helped his team win six tournaments and nationals, while shooting a 72.1 average in tournament play.

The last Bulldog to qualify for the U.S. Amateur was senior Matthew Harvey in 2006.