On Wednesday, Scottsdale, Arizona, software professionals Brian Blanchard and Sam Engel claimed victory in the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course, defeating Tennessee teenagers Blades Brown and Jackson Herrington 2 up.
“It’s why we put in the work,” Blanchard said. “We’re out there after work, grinding until dark, putting in the hours.”
Blanchard, 31, works as a software engineer, while Engel, 29, is an account executive and aspiring software company founder. Engel made history as the first left-handed player to win this event, becoming the 10th left-hander to capture a USGA title.
“It’s tough to qualify for USGA championships, and if you’re not on top of your game, you’re out,” Engel said. “There are so many talented players. But we brought our A-game this week.”
Brown, 17, from Nashville, is a rising high school junior who recently made the cut at the PGA Tour’s Myrtle Beach Classic. Herrington, 18, from Dickson, is about to start at the University of Tennessee, and is also a left-handed golfer.
Blanchard sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-4 13th, while Engel, a former Cal State Northridge player, hit a perfect 52-degree wedge from 125 yards to within a foot on No. 14, securing a conceded birdie and a 2-up lead. Brown and Herrington stayed in the hunt with a birdie on the par-4 17th, but Team Software sealed the win with a birdie on the par-4 18th.
Earlier in the day, Blanchard and Engel narrowly defeated Floridians Will Davenport and Mike Smith 1 up in the semifinals, while Brown and Herrington triumphed over Furman University teammates Trey Diehl and Mac Scott 4 and 3.