Backspin nov_2017 | Page 42

newsspin Louisiana Golf Association announces 2018 Championship Schedule The Louisiana Golf Association (LGA) announced its 2018 Championship Schedule on Wednesday. The LGA will again conduct 12 Championships, in addition to 16 State Amateur and Mid-Amateur Championship Qualifiers. As in previous years, the LGA will conduct USGA Qualifiers (U.S. Open, Amateur, Mid-Amateur, Senior Amateur), and the LGA is adding both the U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls’ Junior Amateur Qualifiers to the slate. The 2018 Championship Season kicks off in April at Beau Chene Country Club (Oak Course) in Mandeville, site of the popular LGA Club Team Championship. The impressive 2018 Schedule is highlighted by the 99th LGA Amateur Championship (June 7-10) at Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette and the LGA Mid- Amateur Championship (August 3-5) at Le Triomphe Golf & Country Club in Broussard. The season concludes with the Junior River Cup Matches in Mississippi. “We are excited about our 2018 LGA Championship schedule and the quality venues we can provide our members an opportunity to play,” said LGA Assistant Executive Director and Director of Championship Operations Logan Ray. “The 2018 schedule showcases facilities across the state of Louisiana that make an effort to give back to the game by hosting our Championships. We sincerely appreciate their support and are looking forward to a fun and competitive 2018 Season at these excellent golf courses.” As mentioned, the LGA’s 99th Amateur Championship, an event that crowned its first champion in 1920, will be conducted June 7-10 at Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette. Oakbourne Country Club is currently ranked as the third best course in the state of Louisiana by Golf Digest Magazine, 42 although some would debate it in the top 2 facilities. It is characterized by its oak trees and beautiful water hazards. The course was originally designed by Dick Wilson in 1955, and it was redesigned by Joe Finger and Ken Dye in 1985. There is a history at Oakbourne, as it was the home club of Jay and Lionel Hebert, PGA Champions and Ryder Cup competitors. The LGA is thrilled to be able to bring its marquee Championship back to this wonderful facility in Lafayette. Oakbourne will provide a stern but fair test for the best Amateur golfers in the state. The course measures 6,900 yards from the back tees, which have a course and slope rating of 73.2/129. The LGA last conducted the State Amateur Championship here in 2011, an event won by Greg Berthelot of Baton Rouge who finished at twelve-under par 276. Oakbourne will host U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls’ Junior Amateur Sectional Qualifiers three weeks after the State Amateur June 26. The LGA is thrilled to bring its two largest events to the Acadiana Area in 2018. Le Triomphe Golf and Country Club in Broussard will welcome the 2018 LGA Mid-Amateur Championship August 3-5. Le Triomphe, host of the Web.com Tour’s Louisiana Chitimacha Open, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and founded in 1986. Le Triomphe has hosted a number of LGA Championships over the years, including the State Amateur in 1987, 1996, and 2014. The LGA last conducted its Mid- Amateur Championship at Le Triomphe in 2000, which John Davis of Lafayette won on the second extra hole over Chip Houston of Baton Rouge after both competitors finished at 211. Le Triomphe is an outstanding layout and the golf course is sure to be in superb condition in August. The Mid-Amateur