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PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Carr McCalla
Louisiana Golf Association
(www.lgagolf.org)
For Release: Upon Receipt
LOOPER AND LOUPE TIED FOR LEAD AFTER FIRST ROUND IN 2009 LOUISIANA GOLF ASSOCIATION AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
June 4, 2009 – Ken Looper of Mandeville and Andrew Loupe of Baton Rouge both shot four-under par rounds of 68 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead over Robby McWilliams of Bossier City and Matthew Harvey of Ruston after first round play in the 90th edition of the Louisiana Golf Association Amateur Championship.
After a delay of one hour to allow a strong thunderstorm to make its way through southeast New Orleans, the first shots of the Championship were struck at 8:30 AM with all starting times delayed by one hour.
LSU golfer Loupe, who started at 9:24, birdied the 2nd, 4th, and 6th holes on the front to turn in three-under par 33. A string of nine consecutive pars on #s 7-15 was broken by a birdie three on the 16th; two closing pars on #17 and #18 brought him in at four-under 68. Looper, who plays at UNO, also fired nines of 33-35 with birdies on #1, #2, and #5 on the front. He got to five-under after birdying #11 and #12; a bogey on the par three 17th and a finishing par on #18 got him into the clubhouse at 68.
McWilliams, a contender in this Championship numerous times, had nines of 34-35, fashioning his 69 with six birdies and three bogeys; Harvey also had six birdies and three bogeys, with five of his birdies coming on his back nine (English Turn’s front nine).
Weather was the story of the morning as players were called in off the practice range at 7:15 AM to let the thunderstorm roll through. Once the storm passed, the rest of the day’s weather was good, with swirling breezes making club selection somewhat of a challenge until calming late in the day. Forecast for the remainder of the week is for sunny skies and cooler than normal temperatures.
Other first round under-par scores were turned in by Marc Noel of Abbeville (70), five-time runner-up Tommy Brennan of Covington (71), New Orleans’ Patrick Christovich (71), Frank Briseno of Harahan (71), and Colin Richwine of Marrero (71). Nine competitors stand at even par 72, with defending Champion Jarrod Barsamian of Baton Rouge among a group of six at one-over 73.
“The golf course certainly stood up to the morning downpour with minimal effect. We’re fortunate that the top clubs across the state are willing to ‘give back to the game’ by hosting LGA Championships. We are indebted to English Turn, its ownership and membership for allowing us to conduct our Amateur Championship at their facility,” said LGA President Lew Ward. “This year’s event will certainly be another memorable experience for our players.”
English Turn G & CC, longtime host until recently to the New Orleans PGA Tour stop, is playing to a par of 72 at approximately 7,050 yards. Second round play will commence at 7:30 AM on Friday off both #1 and #10 tees with the afternoon wave to start at 12:00 PM, also off #1 and #10. Once Friday’s play is complete the field will be cut to the low 60 scorers and ties for the weekend.
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