Aug. 8, 2003

Union, Ky. – Kentucky golfer John Holmes added another championship to his resume by winning the 84th annual Fifth Third Bank/Callaway Golf Kentucky Open Championship on Thursday. Holmes had a three-stroke advantage going into the third round and overcame a final day 74 to pickup the win by one stroke over Josh Teater and Scott A. Porter, two professional players.

The junior from Campbellsville, Ky., finished with a 3-under-par 213 for the tournament. Holmes, who was the 2002 Kentucky Golf Association Player of the Year, battled through rainy conditions on Thursday that made the course soggy and stopped play several times.

“The conditions were kind of tough and it was hard to get into a rhythm because you were constantly stopping for a rain delay,” Holmes said. “It was an up and down day, but I won and I had a good time.”

UK men’s golf coach Brian Craig was excited about Holmes’ victory as an amateur playing in a tournament with professionals.

“It is another great honor for him as he continues to get better and play at a higher level,” said Craig. “Hopefully, it will be a big confidence builder for him heading into his junior year.”

UK will tee-off its first fall season tournament on Sept. 8 at the Cleveland Golf Kiawah Island Intercollegiate in Kiawah Island, S.C. The Cats finished sixth out of 15 teams in the tournament last year.

Fifth Third Bank/Callaway Golf Kentucky Open Leaderboard

1st – John Holmes – 213 (70, 69, 74)
2nd – Josh Teater – 214 (71, 73, 70)
Scott A. Porter – 214 (72, 71, 71)
4th – Robert S. Clarke – 215 (70, 72, 73)
5th – Adam Gary – 217 (77, 71, 69)
Kelly Maxwell – 217 (69, 75, 73)