Gulfport, MS: Due to postponements caused by COVID-19, the Louisiana and Mississippi PGA elected to play their Chapter Championships together for the first time in recent history. Windance Country Club played host to both events. The contests included Chapter Championships and Senior Chapter Championships with players allowed to compete for purses in both chapters.
Ladds, Golf Cars of Louisiana, Club Car, Antigua, Lorente Golf, and the PGA TOUR partnered to support the event.
Greg Sonnier from Lake Charles Country Club, (72-70–142) took first place honors in both chapter regular divisions, and was crowned Champion of the Louisiana PGA. Kyle Ramey, from Canebrake Country Club, (73-73–146) won his second consecutive Mississippi Chapter Championship.
Bill Baker, Bayou DeSiard Country Club, (74-78–152) and Kent Smith, Vicksburg Country Club, (74-74–148) won the Louisiana and Mississippi Senior Divisions respectively.
High temperatures and dry conditions made for difficult scoring during the Championship.
In response to how he found the golf course during play, Sonnier stated, “It was great. It was in very good condition. The superintendent and Rory and the staff did a great job here. The greens were fast, you really had to pay attention to where you were going to leave your ball, because sometimes hitting the green was not as good as missing it. Played tough.”
Ramey beat Reed Hughes of Senatobia, Mississippi on the first hole of sudden death to claim the Mississippi title. When asked about his tactics, he said, “Well I got off to a bad start both days, so just staying patient and fighting back. It was pretty much a grind both days but I was able to keep my head about me and finish with a decent score.”
We look forward to seeing all of our participants at our next event, the Gulf States PGA Professional Championship at Tunica National Golf & Tennis, August 31st-September 1st.