Golf: Church charges to lead in Gulf States PGA event

From Daily Advertiser staff reports • July 28, 2009

BROUSSARD – Le Triomphe head pro David Church used home-course knowledge to card a 4-under 68 here Monday to take the first-round lead in the Gulf States PGA’s Golf Cars of Louisiana/Club Car Louisiana PGA Championship.

Church, who already owns three wins in Gulf States Section play this year, holds a one-shot lead over Baton Rouge’s Phil Schmitt heading into today’s final 18 holes over the 7,069-yard par-72 Le Triomphe layout. Schmitt carded a 3-under 69 in Monday’s opening round of the event for state pros.

Craig Campo of Alexandria and Oak Wing Golf Club and Jake Narro of Hammond and Oak Knoll Country Club are tied for third at 2-under 70, while Jim Justus of Monroe and Bayou DeSiard Country Club and Derek Sanders of New Orleans and English Turn Golf Club were the only other golfers to break par at 1-under 71.

The 37-player field will wrap up competition in the event, which features a $9,000 total purse, with tee times beginning at 8 a.m. today. The leaders will tee off at approximately 9:50 a.m.

Five other local players – David Gary of The Wetlands, Todd Robertson of Les Vieux Chenes, Dean Baham of Sugar Oaks in New Iberia and Matt Sonnier and Jeff Perry of Le Triomphe – are in the field.