Lafayette, Louisiana – June 7, 2023
The Louisiana Golf Association (LGA) has accepted a total of 216 entries for the 104th Louisiana Amateur Championship at Southern Trace Country Club for July 20-23. This will be the fifth time Southern Trace has hosted the Louisiana Amateur Championship with the first one held in 1993 and most recently 2013. The LGA accepted entries from 29 exempt players. Therefore, the 187 players in sectional qualifying will be vying for 115 available spots in the championship proper as 144 of the best amateur players in the state come together in Shreveport for an epic 72 holes of championship golf. Those competitors that are unsuccessful in qualifying will receive a $100 refund from their entry fee of $250.
“Southern Trace is a spectacular venue, and the recent renovations to the golf course have set high expectations for this year’s Louisiana Amateur,” said LGA Director of Championship Operations Jacob Oaks. There are many things that excite players from across the state to play in this event, but there is an enhanced interest because most of the field hasn’t seen the new course yet. We are appreciative of Southern Trace’s commitment to promoting amateur golf and their steadfast support of our organization.”
Highlighting the strong field this year are several former champions, including defending Champion Greg Berthelot. Berthelot won the 103rd Louisiana Amateur at TPC Louisiana. Berthelot won by one stroke in dramatic fashion, staving off University of Louisiana-Lafayette college golfer Charlie Flynn. This came after Berthelot finished in second-place in the 102nd Louisiana Amateur at Squire Creek Country Club, in which he fired a final round 63. Berthelot continued to dominate in 2022, winning the Mid-Amateur and Player of the year honors. He also won the 92nd Louisiana Amateur Championship in 2011 at Oakbourne Country Club.
Other former Champions who are exempt and in the field are: three-time Champion John Humphries of Woodworth (2003, 2019, and 2020), and Patrick Christovich of New Orleans (2012 Champion). These former Champions are looking to add another Championship to their stellar resumes and are expected to be in contention on July 23.
The eldest player to enter this year’s Championship is Jim Lipe, 76, of Shreveport who was instrumental in helping design and renovate the Southern Trace golf course. The youngest player to enter this year is Hudson Partin, 15, from Denham Springs. The first player to sign up was Jeffrey Fooshee on February 1st at 9:07 AM and the Last player to sign up was reigning Louisiana Senior Amateur Champion Eric Lavespere at 4:51 PM, just before the 5:00 PM deadline on June 6.
To be eligible, a player must have a Handicap Index not exceeding 8.0 and be an active member of the Louisiana Golf Association. Sectional qualifying, which will be played over 18 holes at 8 sites across Louisiana, will take place between June 12 – June 26. A field of 144 players will tee it up in the championship proper at Southern Trace Country Club. The field will be cut to the low 60 scorers and ties for competition on Saturday and Sunday, July 22 – July 23.
AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIYING SITES AND DATES
Lafayette Area Qualifier June 12 The Wetlands
Baton Rouge Area Qualifier June 12 Santa Maria Golf Club
Lake Charles Area Qualifier June 12 Greywood Golf and Racquet Club
Monroe Area Qualifier June 17 Bayou Desiard Country Club
Houma Area Qualifier June 20 Ellendale Country Club
Shreveport Area Qualifier June 20 Southern Trace Country Club
Alexandria Area Qualifier June 24 OakWing Golf Club
New Orleans Area Qualifier June 26 English Turn Golf & Country Club
More information about the 104th Louisiana Amateur Championship at Southern Trace is available here:
104th Louisiana Amateur Championship Event :: Welcome (golfgenius.com)
Following the conclusion of all the qualifiers, pairings and starting times for the first two rounds of the Championship will be posted on or about July 17.
Here’s the complete list of the 29 golfers who are fully exempt and set to compete in the 104th Louisiana Amateur:
Walter Anderson, (Baton Rouge)
Hunter Battles, (Ruston)
Greg Berthelot, (Baton Rouge)
Ben Blanco, (Broussard)
Gage Burnham, (Haynesville)
Patrick Christovich, (New Orleans)
Bob Cooper, (Monroe)
Ashton Cruse, (Columbia)
Griffin Dorr, (Mandeville)
Josh Fullilove, (Larose)
Ryan Fulton, (Crowley)
Grayson Gilbert, (Monroe)
Riley Hnatyshyn, (Abita Springs)
James Holtsclaw, (Shreveport)
Erik Hsu, (Monroe)
John Humphries, (Woodworth)
Peyton Johnson, (Shreveport)
Payne Johnson, (Shreveport)
Jarrod Johnson, (Ponchatoula)
Alston Manne, (Baton Rouge)
Robby McWilliams, (Benton)
Noah McWilliams, (Benton)
Jay Mendell, (Lafayette)
Taylor Netherton, (Shreveport)
Matt Nicholas, (Lake Charles)
Eli Ortego, (Lafayette)
Will Patrick, (Oneonta)
Bryce Sutterfield, (Opelousas)
Matt Weber, (Scott)