Golf: Making the turn – Cajuns Golfers Have New Travel Vehicle Thanks to Team Fund-Raising Effort

Dan McDonald, Daily Advertiser, Feb. 26, 2014

UL’s golf program has operated at a travel-mode disadvantage compared to some of the nation’s top squads for several years.

Not anymore, thanks to the generosity of some Ragin’ Cajun golf supporters.

UL coach Theo Sliman and the UL Foundation took delivery last week on a plush specially-equipped travel van that will allow the Cajuns to travel to tournaments in style.

“It’s about as nice as you could imagine,” Sliman said of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter van that was customized by the nationally-known Midwest Automotive Designs firm in Indiana. “This is really a dream come true.”

The van features comfortable seating for eight, with the driver and front passenger seats backed up by two rows of two captain’s chairs and a bench-style back seat — which with a flip of a switch will power down to a bed. Each deep-padded seat is adjustable for comfort level and has built-in lighting, power and sound modules.

A high-definition TV is up front for viewing from all of the rear seats, and each seat has individual headphones so passengers can listen to the TV, radio, music CD’s or their own individual devices.

And since it’s built to handle golfers, the rear is designed with compartments for golf bags, shoes and luggage. There’s plenty of equipment room for an extended tournament trip.

“It’s designed with golfers in mind,” Sliman said.

There’s no question about who’s being transported, either. Both sides are adorned with large “Ragin’ Cajun Golf” wording and a big fleur de lis logo, with “Ragin’ Cajuns” on the back as well as embroidered on every seat.

Midwest Automotive Designs worked on the project for approximately two months, and drove the van to Lafayette last Tuesday – one day before Sliman and the Cajun team used it for the first time on a trip to the Bayou City Collegiate Championship in Houston last week.

Sliman expressed his thanks to UL president Dr. E. Joseph Savoie, vice president Ken Ardoin and athletics director Scott Farmer for okaying the project.

“Without them, this wouldn’t be happening,” he said.

The $98,000 vehicle was purchased entirely with funds donated to the Foundation’s golf account by Cajun supporters. Chuck and Judy Dearing and Brad Mosing were the major contributors, and Sliman said that former Cajun players Matt Smith and John Mendell spearheaded a drive to secure the remaining funding.

A big boost came from last year’s Spring Sports Fundraiser Tournament that a group of Houston-area alumni stage each year and donate the proceeds to one of the UL spring programs.

But Sliman was also quick to point out that all supporters who have taken part in any UL golf fund-raiser in the past, including the College-Am that is part of next week’s prestigious Louisiana Classics Tournament at Oakbourne Country Club, have played a role.

“Every one of them has a stake in this,” he said. “Everyone that’s helped in our Foundation account has played a role in making this happen.”

Sliman said the primary purpose will be team travel, but the van will also be used in recruiting, for booster fund-raising trips and possibly for team transportation to nearby courses for practice. “They’re spending their own gas money right now to go to practice,” Sliman said, “so we’re hoping that this will take care of some of that.”

Fans coming out to next week’s Louisiana Classics will get a chance to see the vehicle, and at the same time see one other subliminal benefit. When some major programs in the Classics field come rolling up in their impressive travel vehicles, the Cajuns – figuratively and literally – won’t be taking a back seat to any of them.

(“Making the Turn” appears each Wednesday in the Daily Advertiser. 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. The “Making the Turn” radio show on Sports Radio ESPN1420 returns in March.)