The 2022 Gulf States E-Z-GO Section Championship was held at Bayou DeSiard Country Club on September 19-20 in Monroe, LA. The field was comprised of 33 players.
Greg Sonnier, PGA, of Lake Charles Country Club, played exceptionally well. He made a comeback in the second round with three-under-par to take first place (72-69–141). Two strokes behind and tied for second were Bobby Flanagan, PGA, of Baton Rouge Country Club (69-74–143) and Joseph Hanko, PGA, of Elm Lake Golf Course (73-70–143).
With the win, Sonnier will earn an exemption into the 2023 PGA TOUR Sanderson Farms Championship.
Sonnier remarked, “I played solid this week. I’ve been struggling hitting my wedges close, and for the first 27 holes still was pinned by that. And then finally there – 13, 14, and 15 – I hit a couple close shots and made some good putts and really surged forward.” He added, “I was able to work on my game this last week. This is always a goal for us in the Section to win and play well in this championship.”
Cliff Bailey, PGA, of East Ridge Country Club, fired rounds of 69-75–144 to claim the Senior Division by five shots over Jake Narro, PGA of Oak Knoll Country Club (75-74–149).
The Gulf States PGA would like to thank Ben Nelson, PGA, Benji Nelson, Seth King, PGA, Dean Leblanc of E-Z-GO and Ben Nelson Golf & Outdoor, Mark Danton of Ouray, Winston Collection and Joseph Elliott, and the PGA TOUR for their partnership of the Gulf States PGA and this event! The GSPGA would also like to thank the entire staff at Bayou DeSiard Country Club including PGA Head Golf Professional Nick Ellison, PGA Assistant Golf Professional Bill Baker, and Golf Course Superintendent Brandon Johnson.
Our next event is the Gulf States PGA Pro-Am Presented by Jani-King on October 25th at The Refuge Golf Course. We hope to see you there!