For two and a half days, the Spartanburg County Amateur Championship belonged to Blake Kelly. But with one thunderous three-wood on the final hole, Brad Thorne snatched the title in a thrilling finish at Woodfin Ridge Golf Club

Thorne, a former Erskine College standout and now a financial planner, used all his experience—and a little nerve—to edge Kelly on the 18th hole and win one of the Upstate’s most competitive amateur events.

“I just knew I had to swing freely,” said Thorne of his second shot on the par-5 18th. “It came off perfect and ended up five feet from the pin. That was the difference.”

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Kelly’s Hot Start

Kelly, a college golfer at North Greenville University and former member of a state high school champion from Woodruff, was red-hot early. He fired a four-under-par 68 in the opening round and backed it up with a 69 on Saturday, giving him a three-shot lead heading into the final round.

Thorne stayed within striking distance but still trailed by multiple strokes after the first nine on Saturday.

Turning Point on Saturday

That’s when Thorne made a conscious decision to change his approach.

“On the front nine Saturday, I shot even par,” he said. “I knew if I was going to give it a real shot, I had to start going after pins.”

His aggressive play paid off quickly—he stuck his approach on the short par-4 12th to within a foot and made birdie.

“That was the one,” Thorne said. “That’s when I felt like I was settling in. I saw some birdies out there and decided to go after them.”

The momentum carried into Sunday’s final round, where Thorne found himself paired with the leader.

Final Hole

Kelly came out swinging, applying early pressure. “He didn’t let up,” said Thorne. “He was fearless—just went right at everything.

But on the back nine, Kelly faltered ever so slightly with a bogey and double bogey, allowing Thorne to close the gap. By the 11th hole, they were tied.

The two remained deadlocked heading to the final hole.

That’s where Thorne delivered the defining shot of the championship—an aggressive three-wood second shot that finished just five feet from the cup.

Kelly, meanwhile, was forced to scramble after a tough lie and couldn’t convert his birdie attempt.

A Win Years in the Making

Thorne, who once chased pro golf dreams, has since found success off the course, launching Avenor Wealth, a financial advisory firm in Forest City, North Carolina. He credits his new routine—and just enough golf practice—for helping him stay sharp.

“I don’t get to play as much anymore, but golf’s been a great release,” he said. “This gives me confidence heading into the State Am next month.”

Still, after nearly a decade away from competitive championship golf, this victory felt especially sweet.

“I had a feeling this week might be special,” Thorne said. “It was.”

Rest Of The Field

After Thorne and Blake the Championship flight included a third place finish for Dustin Adair, the former Wofford golfer who always seems to earn a top-10 in the county championship,

Defending champion Brad Sill finished in fourth place with two-time county champion Trevor Phillips in fifth place.

The Tournament Division title was won by Jeff Barth who squeaked out a one shot victory Zach Boyd in second and Paul Ross in third place.

The Spartanburg County Amateur is conducted by The First Tee – Upstate. The  youth golf and character education program is now in all upstate counties.

Some of the funds raised by the Spartanburg County Amateur is contributed to support the ongoing programs being advanced by The First Tee

Scores frown the Spartanburg County Amateur https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/11451973751680322208