Backspin September 2018 | Page 27

Jane Rosen and Daniel Theriot win LGA Net Amateur Champion It was a historic day at Bayou Oaks at City Park (South Course) in New Orleans. The 2018 Louisiana Golf Association (LGA) Net Amateur Championship marked the first time in history that the organization has conducted a Men’s and Women’s Championship on the same date and on the same course. Jane Rosen of Metairie captured the inaugural LGA Women’s Net Amateur Championship with a 36-hole total of one-under par 143. Rosen carded rounds of 69/74, and she was the only woman to finish under par for the Championship. Daniel Theriot of Metairie won the 18th edition of the LGA Net Amateur Championship after posting rounds of 67 and 66 to finish at 11-under par 133. Rosen carded eleven birdies and an eagle over the course of the weekend, showcasing her stellar iron play and deftness around the greens. She is a member at Bayou Oaks at City Park, so her local course knowledge served her well. She won this Championship by an impressive eight strokes over runner-up Gina Jones of Jefferson who finished at seven-over par 151. Wendy Kahn of Kenner also finished at 151 but lost a scorecard playoff to finish in third place. Theriot carded eleven birdies and two eagles total for the weekend. His final round 66 was the lowest round of the Championship. Both Mark Bernard of Metairie (2nd place) and Ronnie Averett of Loranger (4th place) also carded a 66 on Sunday. The LGA reported the golf course was in excellent condition for this championship and drew rave reviews from competitors. The greens rolled true, and the fairways were extremely well manicured. The course played firm and fast to a par of 72 at approximately 6,411 yards. Sunday’s play was again conducted in ideal golf weather, with temperatures in the upper 80s and a slight breeze throughout the day. The wind was a factor at times when it gusted, but also cooled competitors off in the August heat. Bayou Oaks at City Park (South Course) proved to be an extremely popular venue for the LGA Net Amateur competitors. The LGA also conducted the U.S. Mid- Amateur Qualifier on the South Course on Thursday. Top 5 finishers in the Men’s Overall Championship received prizes. Rounding out the Top 5 were: 2. Mark Bernard of Metairie (69/66/135), 3. 2013 & 2016 LGA Net Amateur Champion Mike Hymel of Hammond (67/69/136), 4. Ronnie Averett of Loranger (73/66/139), 5. Dennis Roussel of Destrehan (69/70/139). The top 5 finishers in the Overall Championship were taken out of their respective flight at the conclusion of play on Sunday. Top 3 finishers in each flight also won prizes. Flight winners included: Ward Lafleur of Lafayette (St. Andrews / 145), Shannon Hardy of Lafayette (Prestwick / 141), Ed Amedee of Gonzales (Troon / 142), and Ronnie Gibbs of Lake Charles (Carnoustie / 143). If there had been a tie for the Overall Championship, there would have been a three-hole, cumulative score playoff (with 1/6 of handicap) beginning on a hole determined by the Championship Committee. All other ties, which determined prizes or recognition, were decided by matching scorecards. The USGA method, as prescribed in Appendix I of the current Rules of Golf booklet, was utilized (i.e., last 9 holes; if still tied, last 6 holes; if still tied, last 3 holes; if still tied, 18th hole). The most improved golfer goes to Brian Passantino of Kenner who shot a 78 on Sunday, improving by 11 strokes from his first-round score. The LGA conducts this event to provide a Championship for the higher handicap players with procedures in place that assure consistency and integrity. The LGA utilizes the USGA Tournament Score Probability Table to adjust any handicap indexes when a player’s score exceeds normal probability. In the Net Club Team Championship, conducted concurrently with the Net Amateur, TPC Louisiana #2 won by finishing at fifteen-under par 417. Team members included: Daniel Theriot, Mark Bernard, Kirk Menard, and Travis McKinney. In the Net Club Team Championship, team totals are comprised by combining the low three individual scores each round from four- man teams. With Theriot and Bernard leading the way, TPC Louisiana #2 won by nine shots over runner-up Oak Knoll CC. Click here for results. Courtesy of the Louisiana Golf Association.