Metairie, LA: The 2024 Inaugural Bank Plus Gulf States Open was held at Metairie Country Club on August 23-25th. The course was in phenomenal condition. The tournament field consisted of 144 players with the Section’s top PGA Professionals and Amateurs. After round two, there was a cut and the top 54 players advanced to round three.
Hunter Logan (p) of Steens, MS, fired rounds of 69-65-66 for a three-day total of ten-under par, 200, to claim the Low Professional and the 2024 Bank Plus Gulf States Open title. Logan’s second round included six birdies and one bogey. Lawrence Allan (a) of Baton Rouge, LA (67-69-67–203), came in solo second place and won low amateur. Joseph Dendy (p) of Brandon, MS (64-71-70–205) came second place in the Professional Division to tie the low round of the tournament with a 64 in round one.
Logan later commented, “The Gulf States Open was a fun experience for me because it was my first professional event. I treated this event just like any other event that I have played in before. The wind posed a real challenge this weekend, but I managed to handle it effectively. I kept my drives straight and in the fairways, struck my irons and wedges accurately, and converted many birdie opportunities. These factors were key to maintaining my position at the top of the leaderboard.”
Allan added, “The course was set up perfectly.The wind was a major challenge throughout the event, testing players’ skills and strategy. Despite the difficult conditions, I feel as though I limited my mistakes and missed them in the correct spots. Playing with some of my players that are on my college team, it adds a little bit of pressure but I hope this motivates my players this coming up season.”
Special thanks to Brian Brown and Morgan Wynne of BankPlus, Benji Nelson, Matt Brunetz, PGA, and Ben Nelson, PGA of Ben Nelson Golf & Outdoor, as well as everyone at E-Z-GO for their support and partnership with this tournament. The Gulf States Section also extends gratitude to Director of Golf Brandon Stooksbury, PGA; Assistant Golf Professionals Emily Lankford, PGA, Andrew Mongrue, PGA, and Mike Rezac; and the entire Metairie staff and membership for their hard work in making this a fantastic event.