Golf: Chip Shots by Dan McDonald – Bill Bass Open, Tip-Off Classic, Assist Reset + Cajun Golf

Dan McDonald, The Advertiser, Oct. 22, 2020

BILL BASS OPEN: The Bill Bass Open, UL’s annual Homecoming golf event that raises funds for the Cajun golf team, has set its new date after COVID-forced changes in UL’s football schedule caused a shift of Homecoming activities to early November. Entries remain open for both four-person teams and individuals.

The traditional event that raises funds for the Cajun golf team is now set for Friday, Nov. 6, at its regular Les Vieux Chenes home, and organizers are stressing that the event is even more important to the UL program this year given financial hardships brought about by the virus and its long-range economic impact. The UL golf team’s budget has been severely impacted due to the slowdown.

The tournament, which dates back more than three decades, will again be a four-person scramble and will include the opportunity to meet all members of the UL golf team who will be stationed at selected holes on the course.

Virus protocols that include one rider per cart will limit this year’s field to 18 teams and 72 players, so those who have participated in the past or wish to play this year should enter as soon as possible since no entries will be accepted after 72 paid entries are received. Entry fee remains at $125 for RCAF members and $150 for others, which includes lunch, drinks on the course, range balls, tee gifts and door prizes. Entries and more information are available by calling (337) 857-8754 or e-mailing danmcdonald@cox.net.

UL HOOPS GOLF: It’s not that long before college basketball makes its return, and UL’s men’s basketball program will hold its annual Tip-Off Classic golf tournament this Friday at The Wetlands with members of the Cajun coaching staff taking part in the event.

Last minute entries are still being accepted for the four-person scramble event, with a $125 individual or $500 team entry fee that includes gift bag and food and beverage, and sponsorship opportunities from $200 for a hole sponsorship up to a $1,500 Rebounders Team are available. The Rebounders Team sponsorship includes an “All-American” gift package from the Rebounders Club and a social at Cajun coach Bob Marlin’s house.

Entry forms and more information are available at the UL basketball office, by e-mail at MER0761@louisiana.edu, or by calling (337) 262-3865.

ASSIST TOURNEY RESET: UL’s women’s basketball had to postpone its scheduled Assist Club Open fund-raiser tournament last month because of bad weather, but the event has a new date and will be held Monday, Nov. 9, at Le Triomphe.

Players who had registered for the Monday event may roll over their entry by calling tournament organizers, and registration for other players is still available. The four-person scramble has a $700 per-team entry fee that includes cart and fees, range balls, beverages, Adidas golf apparel and other prizes. Sponsorships from $100 to $4,000 are also available with all proceeds going to the Cajun women’s hoop squad.

Information and entries are available from Assist Club president Jenifer Dendy at (337) 280-2275, director of basketball operations Mary Chris Vogt at (337) 249-5345 or Cajun coach Garry Brodhead at (337) 540-3573.

CAJUNS BACK IN ACTION: UL’s golf team, which had to withdraw from what was to be its final scheduled fall tournament due to Hurricane Delta, but the Ragin’ Cajuns were able to add an event at the last second and wound up with its best scoring performance of the season.

The Cajuns finished fifth in a 14-team field at the Little Rock Invitational at Chenal Country Club on Monday and Tuesday, posting a 13-under 284-283-284—851 score for its most consistent performance of the season. Host Little Rock won with an 829 score on its home course, while UL was in a tight race for runner-up honors with Arkansas State (844), UT Arlington (848) and UL Monroe (849).

The Cajuns got a top-five finish from Hunter Hammett, who shot sub-par in all three rounds to finish at 70-71-69—210 in tying for fourth place. Hudson Dubinski tied for 11th at 73-69-71—213 and Charlie Flynn tied for 18th at 72-74-69—215.

ACES: Retired naval officer Troy Thibeaux made the most of a visit back home last Wednesday, when he recorded the first hole-in-one of his golfing career.

Thibeaux, a native of Maurice who served for 28 years in the Navy, was visiting from Greensboro, N.C., and was in a threesome at The Wetlands with his father and long-time Wetlands member John Thibeaux and brother Brandon Thibeaux. He used a pitching wedge and a Titleist ball to hole out on the 138-yard fourth hole.

“Making the Turn” appears each week in the Daily Advertiser through November. Clubs, courses and individuals with information about local golf events may email Dan McDonald, editorial director at Golfballs.com, at danmcdonald@cox.net, FAX to (337) 857-8763 or call (337) 857-8754 and leave a message with phone number.