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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Carr McCalla
Louisiana Golf Association
(www.lgagolf.org)
E-mail address: lgagolf@lgagolf.org
For Release: Upon Receipt

AUSTIN GUTGSELL LEADS AFTER FIRST ROUND IN LOUISIANA GOLF ASSOCIATION AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

June 10, 2010 -- Kinder, LA -- LSU golfer Austin Gutgsell of Mandeville fired a four-under par 67 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead into second round play at the 91st edition of the Louisiana Golf Association Amateur Championship at Koasati Pines at Coushatta in Kinder. Tied for second one shot back are Kevin Gros of Baton Rouge and Louisiana-Lafayette golfer Andrew Noto of Luling.

Gutgsell, who won the LGA Junior Amateur Championship in 2007, started his round on the back nine Thursday and got off to a great start with birdies on #10 and #11 before giving one back with a bogey on the par three 12th. Birdies on #15 and #18 brought him to the turn in three-under 33. A consistent final nine, sandwiching eight pars around a birdie three on the fifth hole brought him in at 67.

Gros, the only one of the foursome to break 70 that played in the morning wave, also started his round on #10. He finished his first nine with birdies on #17 and #18, also playing holes 1-9 in one-under with 8 pars and a birdie on #6 to shoot his 68. Noto, who started on the frontside, parred the first three holes then ran off a string of threes on holes #4, #5, and #6, all par fours. From there it was a bit of a roller-coaster, with bogeys on #8, #10, and #16 and birdies on #12, #14, and #18; enabling him to finish with his three-under 68.

Finishing alone in fourth at two-under 69, including eagle threes on both par fives on the back (#10 and #18), was McNeese State golfer Ben Suarez of Sulphur. Tied at one-under par 70 are Brandt Garon of Baton Rouge, Matt Hungerman of Mandeville, Darrel Benoit of Belle Chasse, Kelsey Angelle of Arnaudville, and last year’s runner-up Ken Looper of Mandeville. Eight competitors stand at even par 71, with 12 more at one-over 72.

“The golf course is in great shape considering the amount of rain southwest Louisiana has received over the last 10 days. We’re fortunate that the top courses across the state are willing to ‘give back to the game’ by hosting LGA Championships. We are indebted to Koasati Pines at Coushatta and the Coushatta Tribal Council for allowing us to conduct our Amateur Championship at their facility,” said LGA President Mike Ameen. “This year’s event will certainly be another memorable experience for our players.”

Thursday’s weather was hot and humid with the wind kicking up around noon. Koasati Pines at Coushatta, a Kevin Tucker design, hosted the LGA Club Team Championship in 2004, but this is its first time to host this, the LGA’s marquee event. It is playing to a par of 71 at approximately 7,050 yards. Second round play will commence at 7:30 AM on Friday off both #1 and #10 tees with the afternoon wave to start at 12:00 PM, also off #1 and #10. Once Friday’s play is complete the field will be cut to the low 60 scorers and ties for the weekend.

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Louisiana Golf Association