Blythe Honored by Hall of Fame

Keith Blythe, a Bellmont High School graduate, will be inducted into the Indiana High School Athletic Association Golf Hall of Fame on Friday, June 19, 2009 in Indianapolis. Keith’s phenomenal golfing career started when he was only 14, shooting a 65 at Cross Creek. Then, at age 17, Keith won the Adams County Golf Tournament, and he later added a City Championship. All four years of high school, Keith qualified for the Indiana State Golf Finals, finishing fourth his sophomore year and second his junior year. While in high school, Keith’s lowest score was a 30 at Parlor City (now Timber Ridge).    

At age 18, Keith won a National American Junior Golf Association tournament. He not only won the tournament, but he also was given the opportunity to meet Larry Bird at his home in French Lick, Indiana. After saying hi to each other, Larry signed a basketball for Keith which he still has today. Because of his win at French Lick, he was qualified for the AJGA Tournament of Champions at Oak Tree Golf Club in Oklahoma. With most of the nation’s top college golf coaches watching, Keith finished in fourth place. Later that fall, Keith received an invitation to the season ending tournament at Lapaloma Golf Club in Tucson, Arizona. While attending the dinner the night before the tournament, Keith was honored as a Second Team All American. A few moments later, Tiger Woods was called up as Player of the Year.  

After high school, Keith chose Oklahoma State which was then the number one golf school in the country. His sophomore year Keith received a trophy for his team finishing as the #1 ranked team in the country. After transferring to Tennessee University, Keith’s team qualified for the NCAA finals during both his junior and senior years. While playing in the finals his junior year, Tiger Woods was crowned the individual NCAA Champion.

Shortly after turning professional, Keith won two Indiana State Tournaments: The Indiana Southern Open and the Indiana Northern Open.

While most golf fans only see Jack Nicklaus through their TV screen, Keith has had the privilege  to visit with Jack at Jack’s house while playing at a Pro Am in Florida.

Keith went on to win the most prestigious tournament of his career when he won The Long Island Open at Beth Page in New York. Keith’s name now appears on a Champion’s Wall at Beth Page.

Keith has had four hole-in-ones for his career. His first hole-in-one happened at Prestwick in Indianapolis during the High School State Finals. Completing a rare feat, Keith has also obtained a hole-in-one at each of the three Adams county golf courses. At Wabash Valley, he got a hole-in-one on #9. At the Grey Goose he shot a unique hole-in-one on #8 which is a par 4. His hole-in-one at Cross Creek happened on hole #7.

Keith holds many course records as well. At Cross Creek, Keith holds the record with a 63. He also holds the record at the Grey Goose with a 64 and at Inwood Country Club in Long Island, New York with a 64.

Because Keith is modest about his many accomplishments, many local golf fans may not be aware of all he has achieved in his still young golf career. The next time you see Keith, be sure to shake his hand and congratulate him on being inducted into the Indiana High School Athletic Association Golf Hall of Fame.

Submitted by Betsy Goulet and Bob Goulet