gentleman ... leader ... teacher ... genuine ... professional ... player
Ed Selserby Maria
Goddard
30
A past president of Gulf State Section of the PGA of America , making 15 cuts on a PGA Tour and winning four Louisiana Chapter championships of the PGA and 4 Gulf State Section championships are just some of the accomplishments of Edward Selser , Jr .
Selser was born in Beaumont , Texas , on Aug . 30 , 1951 . Raised in New Orleans , he is the admired PGA Director of Golf at Atchafalaya Golf Course who took his swing at PGA membership in 1979 . This opened doors for him and was the start of a long run of wins and successes .
“ Ed is the perfect gentleman ,” said Rudy Sparks , Atchafalaya Golf Commission Chairman . “ He always has time to talk to everyone , is always respectful to other people , has a great disposition , a great demeanor , is very patient , understanding and considerate .”
Someone who contributed greatly to the man he became , on and off the course , was his father Edward Selser , Sr .
“ I was always around golf ,” said Selser . “ I got started when I was around 12 years old . My dad was a weekend golfer , and he asked me one morning to caddy for him , getting me up at about 4:30 in the morning .”
That morning , he walked all 18 holes , pulling his golf clubs and equipment . His dad taught him not to go ahead of any golfer , to go around the green and where to stand .
His dad asked him to hit one , Selser Jr . did , and liked it .
“ My dad would read Golf Magazine and give me tips on how to hit ,” said Selser . “ My dad was the only teacher really throughout the time I played , even when I was on Tour . I was fortunate to grow up with a dad like that .”
This careful instruction inspired the young Selser to pay it forward .
“ He is a great instructor ,” said Sparks . “ He has studied the game and the swing his whole life . He can look at someone ’ s swing and can help out . He is such a good listener .”
In addition to his father inspiring him , several other pros helped him get competitive in golf .
He notes a couple specifically . “ Frank Gumpert at University Club of Baton Rouge and the late Frank Mackel , the golf pro at City Park was one of the most-liked guys in golf ,” said Selser . “ He was very influential for all of us there .”
Unbeknownst to Selser , he is also an inspiration to his fellow golfers .
“ I don ’ t use these words very often , but he is the one of the most genuine people you would ever want to meet ,” said Dean Baham , PGA life member and Selser ’ s best friend . “ He is the reason why I ’ m in the golf business . He ’ s my hero .”
Selser was on a full golf scholarship to UNO and helped the team win the national NCAA Division II championship back to back . He was ranked fifth on the team when they won in 1971 and 1972 , first in Williamstown , Massachusettes and then Chico , California .
Two years later in 1974 , Selser became the assistant pro at Lake Charles Country Club working for George Casino , a “ great mentor ” who taught him much about golf and the business . At the end of 1976 , he became the head pro and superintendent