The 2021 Mackel Cup was held on Sunday, January 17th and Monday, January 18th at Bayou Oaks at City Park – South Course and New Orleans Country Club. This event is a tribute to the late PGA Professional Frank Mackel. In a Ryder Cup format, point leaders from the Mississippi Chapter PGA and Louisiana Chapter PGA compete for the honor of holding the Mackel Cup.
Round 1 Four-Ball matches were played at Bayou Oaks at City Park South Course. Round 2 Singles matches were played at New Orleans CC but were cut short. One point was awarded for winning each nine as well as the top overall score, with a possible total of three points per day per match.
Team members from the Louisiana Chapter PGA included: Alex Abbruzza, Reg Adams, JT Crawford, Nick Ellison, Bobby Flanagan, Marie Gateley, Drew Goff, Bobby Jacks, Allan Martel, Ryan Mundine (Sunday Sub, DNP), Jake Narro, Bradley Petashnick, Greg Sonnier, Blake Thomas, Gavin Vegas, and Matt Williamson (Sunday Sub, DNP).
Team members from the Mississippi Chapter PGA included: Nick Bailes, Matt Brunetz, Rich Fulkerson, Joseph Hanko, Adam Hickerson, Reed Hughes, David Lee, Rory Nelson, Kyle Ramey, Ronny Ross, Zach Tate, Olly Thomson, Thomas Watkins, and Benji Williams.
Team Mississippi held a two-point lead (11.5-9.5) heading into the final day at New Orleans CC. For the first year since 2014, Team Mississippi claimed the Mackel Cup with a 12.5-11.5 point victory over Team Louisiana!
The Gulf States PGA would like to thank Brian Long, PGA, Alex Abbruzza, PGA, Will Heirtzler, PGA, Kim Knatzer, and Ryan McCavit of Bayou Oaks — City Park as well as JT Crawford, PGA, Bradley Petashnick, PGA, Bradley Baumann, Ryan Mundine, PGA, and Will Guererri of New Orleans Country Club for hosting this year’s event. The Section also thanks Jeff Morici of Puma and Vineyard Vines, Eddie Welch of Titleist, and James Fuselier of FootJoy.