Morrissey captures Sulphur golf crown
Last Modified: Sunday, August 05, 2012 10:50 PM
By Louis Bonnette / Special to the American Press
John Morrissey shot a 2-under par, 69, in the final round Sunday afternoon to win the 31st annual Sulphur city golf championship by four shots. Morrissey shot 12-under, 201 for the tournament, only one shot off the course record set last year.
In winning the tournament, Morrissey broke through in his battle for a city crown. The former McNeese State golfer is a four-time runner-up in city championship events around the area.
Morrissey credited his driving and putting for his Sunday score.
“I tried to play it a hole at a time,” he said.
Defending champion Ben Suarez and Jacob LeJeune tied for second place honors at 205. Sunday, Suarez shot a 68 while LeJeune shot a 66, the day’s low score.
Neithan Allen carded a 212 that included a 2-under, 69 on Sunday to finish fourth, while Craig Trosclair and Jason Horn shot 213 to tie for fifth. Rounding out the championship flight were Sutton Farmer at 217, Chris Vallette at 218 and Marty Reed at 219.
The newly crowned champion said he wasn’t sure of the title until he made his final putt on the last hole. But, fans watching the tournament action knew he had the crown in his pocket after he laced his drive over 320 yards straight down the fairway on the 17th hole. Morrissey then knocked his approach shot within 10 feet of the cup and ran in the birdie putt to secure the win.
During the final round, Morrissey also used irons off the tee box on multiple occasions on par four holes and finished the round with only 27 putts.
“John played real steady all day and I am happy for him,” Suarez said. “I knew that I needed to get off to a quick start and just didn’t do it.”
Slated to turn pro in a couple weeks, Suarez birdied the second hole but bogeyed No. 4 and went in 1-over par on the front nine. He was much better on the back nine, as he carded a 4-under 32 on the backside.
LeJeune roared back on Sunday after having started the day in fourth place and seven shots back.
Frasch Park club pro and Sulphur City Championship tournament director George McInnis was impressed with the golf played through the weekend.
“I thought that we had exceptional golf from three players,” he said. “I had thought that six under would be a good score (for the full tournament.)”
Devon Fontenot took first flight honors with a 219 after shooting 1-over, 72, Sunday. Logan Hayes and Byron Martin tied for second with 222 totals.
In the second flight, Cody LeBlanc shot 154 for first place while Mike Beglis and Dan Breaux tied for second at 159.
Scott Lantier won the third flight with 172, while Ron Cart and Art Scarborough tied for second with 173.
Derek Cormier and Raywood Lemaire both shot 185 to lead the fourth flight and Mike Nassar posted a 188.
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