NEW ORLEANS, LA (April 30, 2011) -- Squirrel Run Golf Club from New Iberia fired a 14-under par 130 on Saturday to take the lead after first round play in the Louisiana Golf Association Club Team Championship at Lakewood Golf Club in New Orleans. Scott Shea and Justin Thibodeaux fired a nine-under par 63 to lead the Squirrel Run team to a two-shot lead over Money Hill Golf & Country Club from Abita Springs and the Oaks at Sherwood from Baton Rouge.
In a format where a team counts two of their three four-ball scores in the first round, Jay Smith and Danny Duplantis shot five-under 67 and Brodie LeBlanc and Jimmy Picard had a one-under 71 to round out the Squirrel Run scores.
Danny Schaus and Eric Ankerson, in spite of a double bogey on the 18th hole, shot seven-under par 65 to lead Money Hill. Ben Levergne and Chris Wertz fired a five-under 67 and Chuck Daniel and Jon Guessfeld had a two-under 70 to complete the Money Hill scores. The Oaks at Sherwood team was led by Ross Davis and Darrell Lakvold at seven-under 65, Chuck Laudermill and Wendell Akins at five-under 67, and Jimmy Robbins and Rocky Nicholas at one-over 73.
Lafayette’s Wetlands GC, LeTriomphe G & CC from Broussard, and a second team from the Oaks at Sherwood in Baton Rouge share fourth place two more shots back at 134.
Clubs participating in the 23rd LGA Club Team Championship are represented by six-man teams. Saturday’s play consisted of four-ball stroke play with each team counting the two best of their three four-ball scores. Sunday’s play consists of individual stroke play with a team’s score being determined by counting the best four of six individual scores. With the number of scores being counted on Sunday doubling those counted on Saturday, no first round lead is insurmountable.
As mentioned, the Championship is being conducted at the recently renovated Lakewood Golf Club just across the river from downtown New Orleans. Closed after Hurricane Katrina, Lakewood opened just over two years ago and is drawing rave reviews from this field of golfers from across the state. Lakewood hosted the PGA Tour event in New Orleans for many years, claiming as Champions the likes of Nicklaus, Watson, Player, Trevino, Crenshaw, and Ballesteros to name a few. The weather was gorgeous on Saturday with the wind picking up around mid-morning making club selection difficult for those starting later in the day. The course measured just over 6,700 yards and played to a par of 72 on Saturday. Final round starting times will begin a 7:30 AM on Sunday with the leaders set to go off at 11:30, 11:40, and 11:50 PM.
