HEBRON, Ky. — John Holmes won his second Kentucky State Amateur title in three years on Thursday, winning by an amazing 12 strokes at the Traditions Golf Club in Hebron, Ky. Holmes posted an 8-under par 64 in the first round on Tuesday and never looked back on his way to a 14-under 202 for the tournament, which is a new 54-hole record for the event.

?This is an outstanding accomplishment for John,? Kentucky head coach Brian Craig said. ?To win by this many strokes is quite a feat. He is right on track where he was this past year and we are real proud of him. He is a worthy state champion for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.?

Holmes claimed the tournament title two years ago, but was unable to defend it last year because he was competing in the U.S. Open. The PING First Team All-American and First Team All-SEC performer is the reigning Kentucky Golf Association Player of the Year.

The rising senior recently led the Wildcats to an eighth-place finish in the 2004 Division I Men?s Golf NCAA Championships. Holmes finished tied for sixth as an individual.

Several other current and future Cats competed in the 90th Kentucky Amateur Championship as well. Mark Blakefield registered an eighth-place finish by posting a 1-over par 217, and Brandon Waldrop tied for ninth with a 218 54-hole total. Rising sophomore Andrew Stephens carded a 234. One of the Wildcats incoming freshmen also finished in the top-10 of the event.