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Golf: Making the Turn – Chip Shots – Bass Open, Assist Club Open, Thomas Classic Coming,Cajuns Rally

Dan MicDonald, The Advertiser, Sept. 14, 2016

Making the Turn: Flood-affected courses fully operational

The last remaining effects on local golf courses from the recent flooding are almost over, and because of yeoman efforts at several courses our area golfers, they will not see any long-term impacts.

The courses that were the most affected by the massive amounts of water — Oakbourne, Le Triomphe and The Farm d’Allie — are all fully operational with the exception of the 13th hole at Oakbourne.

That LONG par-five (615 yards from the back tee) runs directly along a small flood plain on the banks of the Vermilion River across from the airport. It has taken some water in the past when the Vermilion went over flood stage, but nothing like what the Acadiana area experienced in August.

Course superintendent Jason Barras said parts of the course were as much as 7 feet under water at the highest point of the flooding.

“I came out here on Saturday when the rain stopped, and when I looked, I thought this isn’t too bad,” Barras said. “On Monday, it had risen several feet.”

Many of the course’s electronic sprinkler systems are elevated several feet off the ground, but many of those went under water.

More notably, the 13th green stayed under water for more than a week, but Barras and the Oakbourne staff spent untold hours and used some unique methods to save the turf from both drowning and “burning” from sitting in standing water.

“They did some unbelievable things,” said new Oakbourne general manager Greg Klemp.

Oakbourne operated as a nine-hole course for more than a week and steadily added holes as they were ready for play, up to its current 17-hole layout. The opening of the 13th hole back for play should come in the very near future and easily in time for the course to host the Louisiana Golf Association’s Senior Amateur on a rescheduled Oct. 20-22 weekend.

Both the Le Triomphe development and the golf course had water issues, but the course was back up and functioning one week after the flooding. The entire club staff spent significant time cleaning up trash and debris on the course and made it possible to open a couple of days ahead of its original target re-opening.

The backed-up flood waters also affected The Farm and kept that layout closed for an extended time when the water from the Vermilion basin stubbornly refused to recede. But The Farm is also back and open for business.

Having our area golf courses back and playable, of course, is secondary to the losses facing many Acadiana residents who are struggling with the aftermath of flooded homes and businesses. But having those facilities available, if for nothing else than to provide a temporary diversion from the realities of the flood, is both a benefit and a blessing.

And when you golfers head out to your favorite course, make a point to thank the staff — and especially the course superintendents — for all the work they put in to get the courses back open and playable. Their job is an immense one even without nearly 3 feet of rain in a four-day period, and they deserve your thanks and support.

Cajuns rally

Things looked about as bleak as possible for UL’s golf team at the start of its season-opening tournament Monday.

The Ragin’ Cajuns were struggling badly midway through Monday’s first round of the Sam Hall Intercollegiate at Hattiesburg Country Club, but rallied in the afternoon’s second round to get into the top five and finished up tied for sixth in a 15-team field following Tuesday’s final 18 holes.

The Cajuns also got a bright glimpse of the future, with two of the team’s freshman newcomers turning in the best three-round performances. Iceland product Aron Juliusson took an impressive individual third-place finish with a 69-68-72—209 score, and Acadiana-area signee Jack Tolson had a consistent 70-72-71—213 score to tie for 12th, both in their first-ever collegiate event.

In addition, veterans Ragnar Gardarsson and Fernando Cruz Valle rallied from disappointing first rounds (78 and 76 respectively) to shoot 69-70 and 71-71 in the final two rounds.

As a team, the Cajuns finished at four-over-par 856 for the three rounds, and over the final two rounds the high scores the team counted were a Monday-afternoon 72 by Tristan Elston and a Tuesday 73 by Ryan Desormeaux.

“I was very pleased with the grit and determination that the team showed to bounce back,” said coach Theo Sliman. “Through nine holes of the day we were in dead last, and they fought hard as a collective group to battle back and put us in a good position going into the final round. The guys showed heart and determination and it really impressed me.”

UL Monroe won the event with an 844 score and host USM was second. The Cajuns were only four strokes out of a tie for third with Mississippi State and Western Kentucky both at 852.The Cajuns have now finished in the top six at the season-opening Sam Hall event four straight years. They won the team title in 2013 for their first victory in almost four seasons, finished third in 2014 and were runners-up last year.

Assist Club Open

UL’s women’s basketball program will hold its annual Assist Club Open on Monday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. at Le Triomphe, with all funds raised going to support the Ragin’ Cajun squad. With the recent flooding and recovery, entry feels have been kept low so that as many golfers as possible may take part in the event.

Entry fee is $450 for a three-person team including food, drink and an Adidas pullover. Players may also play for $100 per person without the pullover and golf extras.

Mulligans and sponsorships are also available, and entries and more information are available online at ulassistclub.com or by calling 482-9012.

Thomas Classic coming

The Vermilion Links Club, the recently organized fundraising group to support the Ragin’ Cajun golf program, will hold its rescheduled Jimmy “Chicken” Thomas Classic on Monday, Sept. 26, at Oakbourne, after the late-August event was postponed by flooding.

The two-person scramble will have its same time and scheduled events, and is open to all golfers. The event is a primary fundraiser for the Links’ upcoming projects, and activities will begin on Sunday night, Sept. 25, when the club holds a dinner and social at 6:30 p.m. at Oakbourne.

All Vermilion Links members and all tournament players are invited for a meet-and-greet with the 2016-17 Cajun squad, and the Cajun players will also be stationed around the Oakbourne course for the next day’s tournament which has an 11 a.m. lunch and a 1 p.m. shotgun start.

The Thomas tournament has a $200 per person or a $400 per two-person team entry fee, and all monies raised go to the Vermilion Links’ efforts to financially assist the UL program. All 50 of the Links’ founding members may play at no charge. Tournament coordinator David Church said that players who had previously entered do not have to enter again, and that other players may enter up until Wednesday, Sept. 21. More information on the event is available from Church at dchurch@dartenergyservices.com.

Bill Bass Open

Save the date and make plans now for the annual Bill Bass Open, UL’s annual Homecoming golf tournament that is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 4 — one day before the Ragin’ Cajun football team takes on Idaho in the annual Homecoming game.

The four-person scramble event features availabilities for morning and afternoon shotgun starts, with play beginning at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the two waves. Registration begins 90 minutes before each tee time, and lunch will be served after play for the morning wave and before play for the afternoon session.

Snacks and beverages will be available on the course, and there will also be special “Homecoming” holes in play throughout the round.

This year for the first time, RCAF members will get a bonus, with those members paying a $125 entry fee per player. Regular entry fee is $150 per player or $600 per team. Players may make up their own four-person team or may enter as individuals to be paired up on teams, and a team handicap index will be used so that all players have a chance at the Cajun-themed prizes that go to winning squads.

Entry forms will be available soon at local courses and golf outlets as well as several UL locations. Forms will also be mailed out to RCAF members in that group’s September mailing, and forms and information are also available by calling (337) 857-8754. An online form will also be available in the near future at RaginCajuns.com