Senior Four-Ball Championship

Round 2 Recap

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ROBERT SHELTON AND JIMMY THOMAS OF LAFAYETTE CAPTURE THE 2005 LGA SENIOR FOUR-BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Lake Charles, Louisiana                        May 7, 2004

Lafayette residents Robert Shelton and Jimmy Thomas teamed to fire a six-under par 66 to post a three shot victory at the 18^th Louisiana Golf Association Senior Amateur Four-Ball Championship, which concluded today at Gray Plantation.

Leading by one shot after shooting a first round 63, Shelton/Thomas finished with a 15-under par 129 aggregate to notch their first victory in the event.  Fellow Lafayette natives Brad Mosing and Dennis Smith, three shots back after opening round action, turned in their second 66 of the tournament to finish second at 12-under par 132. 

Finishing in third at 11-under par 133 for the tournament was the team of Ronnie Moore of Haughton and Van Stewart of Shreveport.  Moore/Stewart, who started the day five shots back of the leaders made an early run at the lead after starting the day with a six-under par 30 on the front nine.  However, a one-under par finish on the inward nine was only enough for the low round of the day as they were unable to catch the team of Shelton/Thomas.

Shelton/Thomas continued their steady play today as they shot two-under par on the front nine and birdied two of the first three holes on the back.  After three pars on holes 13-15, Jimmy Thomas made an eagle two after driving the par-4 16^th hole.  Pars on the closing holes secured the victory for the pair, who recorded only one bogey for the championship.

Finishing in a tie for fourth at nine-under par 135 were five teams: Jim Lipe/Eddie Lyons, Sid Harp/Sam Lavigne, Wiley Conn/John Muse, David Fraser/Don Scott, Henry Cole/Mark Tolson.

The 2004 champions, Curt McClure and Corky Yates finished the tournament at seven-under par, which was good enough to capture the 65-69 Age Group Championship.  Other Age Group Champions included Russ Gaudin/R.E. McKey (60-64 Age Group) and Clyde Albritton/John M. Smith (70 and Over Age Group).

This year’s Championship was held at the Rocky Roquemore designed Gray Plantation in Lake Charles.  The course, which was recently rated in the top ten in the state by Golf Digest, opened for play in 1999.  The course was played at 6850 yards for the Championship.  

In addition to the Overall Championship, players compete in various Age Group Championships.  Player’s in the 60-64 and 65-69 Age Groups compete concurrently in their Age Group Championship and the Overall Championship while the 70 and Over Age Group plays from forward tees and competes only in their Age Group Championship.

Age Group Champions were as follows:

60-64:              Russ Gaudin/St. Francisville                  71/69--140

                        R.E. McKey/Baton Rouge       

65-69:              Curt McClure/Shreveport                     69/68--137

                        Corky Yates/Pineville  

70 & over:        Clyde Albritton/Calhoun                       81/84--165

                         John Smith/Calhoun