INDExtra

$1 million Hole-in-One kicks off Chitimacha Louisiana Open

by Walter Pierce

For the second year in a row, the Open's traditional opening event will benefit the Krewe Des Chiens, but this year will have a different format that will allow more golfers to take part. The Chitimacha Louisiana Open returns to Le Triomphe Golf Club for its 20th renewal March 20-27, and the tournament will again begin action with the Cypress Bayou Casino $1 Million Hole-In-One Shootout.

For the second year in a row, the Open's traditional opening event will benefit the Krewe Des Chiens, but this year will have a different format that will allow more golfers to take part.

Qualifying will be held at six courses in the Lafayette area during the first two weekends in March, beginning Friday, March 4, at the newly renovated Hebert Municipal. Qualifying will also be held on that weekend at the Farm d'Allie on Saturday, March 5 and at Acadian Hills on Sunday, March 6.

The second weekend of qualifying will be held on Friday, March 11, at Oakbourne Country Club (members and guests only), Saturday, March 12, at The Wetlands and Sunday, March 13, at Les Vieux Chenes. A final weekend of qualifying is set for Friday-Sunday, March 18-20 at the tournament's Le Triomphe host course, prior to the $1 Million finals on Sunday, March 20, at Le Triomphe's eighth hole.

In a format change, qualifying will be held on the courses themselves instead of on each course's practice range, allowing players to take part and qualify during their regular rounds. On the designated days at each course, players may make a $5 donation to the Krewe Des Chiens animal assistance group, and their distances from the hole will be measured on a designated par-three hole. The closest five shots each day will advance to the $1 Million finals.

For players who wish to qualify under the former format, a special green will be available outside the Le Triomphe front gate throughout the final weekend on March 18-20. That qualifying is open to anyone with no pre-registration required, and players may simply show up and take part.

Participants may take as many shots as they desire on those three days at a target green. Cost is $1 per ball, and the five closest shots to the hole each day advance to the March 20 finals where a hole-in-one will win $1 million compliments of Cypress Bayou Casino.

Players may also secure an automatic spot in the finals with a $100 contribution, which may be made at the qualifying locations or sent directly to the Chitimacha Louisiana Open, 124 Heymann Blvd. Suite 105, Lafayette, LA 70503.

"We're giving players several different ways to qualify this year," says Louisiana Open Executive Director Danny Jones, "so we're hoping that we'll have a good turnout and raise some more money for our charities."

This year's Hole-In-One Shootout is being conducted by and benefits the Krewe Des Chiens, which financially assists the many shelters and animal aid organizations in Acadiana and promotes education about the benefits of spaying or neutering pets to reduce the number of unwanted animals. More information on Krewe Des Chiens is available online at www.ParadeForDogs.com.

CYPRESS BAYOU CASINO $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE QUALIFYING DATES (times approximate)
Friday, March 4 Hebert Municipal, 10th hole, all day
Saturday, March 5 The Farm d'Allie, 7th hole, all day
Sunday, March 6 Acadian Hills, 9th hole, all day
Friday, March 11 -- Oakbourne Country Club (members and guests only), 9th hole, all day
Saturday, March 12 The Wetlands, 8th hole, all day
Sunday, March 13 Les Vieux Chenes, 12th hole, all day
Friday, March 18 Le Triomphe, front field, noon-6 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 Le Triomphe, front field, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and 8th hole, all day
Sunday, March 20 Le Triomphe, front field, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

$1 MILLION FINALS
Sunday, March 20 Le Triomphe Golf & Country Club, 8th hole, 3:30 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION:
Hole-In-One Shootout Dan or Mary Beth McDonald, (337) 857-8754 or [email protected]
Krewe Des Chiens Dr. Andy Plauche, (337) 984-7611 or P.O. Box 62366, Lafayette, LA 70596-2366
Chitimacha Louisiana Open Danny Jones, executive director, (337) 593-8000 or [email protected]