Southwest Louisiana juniors playing more, winning more

Published 6:50 pm Sunday, July 16, 2017

Young golfers in the area are now doing more than just making an appearance in major tournaments.

They are winning the events.

The latest was Logan Kuehn, a recent graduate of St. Louis Catholic High.

He won last week’s Gray Planation men’s club championship by four shots.

Kuehn is the second young golfer to win a major title recently. Gage Primeaux, recently graduated from Barbe High, won the Lake Charles city crown a couple of weeks ago, and prior to that had claimed the Mallard Cove men’s club championship.

A 2-under-par 142 (69-73) carried Kuehn to the Gray title, four shots in front of former champion Craig Trosclair (76-70—146) and six ahead of third-place Bruce Eisen (75-73—148). Rounding out the top five were Charles Karam (78-76—154) and Sid Bradley (77-78—155).

Club assistant pro Jonathan Jester said Kuehn, who will be playing golf for Southeastern Louisiana in the fall, had to get over a rocky start.

“He was actually 3 over after seven holes the first day,” Jester said, “but he righted the ship and went on from there.”

Kuehn said both days “were pretty much the same for me. The first day I shot a 38 on the front nine, but then I came back and had five birdies on the back nine for a 31. The second day I had five birdies on the back nine and shot 32.

“Usually I’m fairly consistent, won’t make a lot of mistakes. I did make a couple of 50 foot putts and that helped.”

Jester went on to say, “He’s a hard working kid who takes the game seriously. I played with him the day before the tournament and he shot 70. He’s just a very consistent player. He’s long off the tee and doesn’t miss too many shots.”

Next up for Kuehn will be the Cotton States amateur tournament at Bayou DeSiard in Monroe, July 25-30, and then the Prien Lake Four Ball at the Lake Charles Country Club where he and Primeaux will be paired.

After that he’s headed to Southeastern where he said qualifying for the golf team begins the first week of the school semester.

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Taking second flight honors in the Gray men’s club championship was Jeff Harper with 73-77-150. He beat out Greg Ardoin, who shot 73-78—151. Rounding out the top five were Gus Barber (80-72—152), Benny Holcombe (75-78—153) and a fifth-place tie among Minh Nguyen (80-77—157), Troy Higginbotham (78-79—157) and William Wiese (77-80—157).

Barney Bridges went one shot below his age last week at Frasch Park in Sulphur. He shot 74 with nines of 38-36 while making five birdies.

Upcoming

Saturday — Adult/Junior two-person scramble, Mallard Cove.

Saturday-Sunday — Gray Plantation Senior Men’s Championship.

July 29-30 — Shine Flournoy two-man scramble, Mallard Cove.

Aug. 5-6 — Plantation four ball, Gray Plantation.

Aug. 14 — J.T. Mitchell Memorial, Lake Charles Country Club.

Louis Bonnette has written about local golf for the American Press since 1971. His column appears each Sunday. Contact him at 274-5689 or lbonnette@mcneese.edu