The Louisiana State Open was the state open golf tournament in the U.S. state of Louisiana, open to both amateur and professional golfers.

History

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The inaugural event was held in 1937 and won by Gray Little.[1][2] The event was not held in the mid-1940s due to World War II. The tournament re-started in November of 1946. The tournament and was held at Louisiana State University's golf course in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.[3] The eligibility requirements were reported as: "Professionals and amateurs who have been residents of the state 60 days prior to the tourney are eligible. Also all military personnel and students at Louisiana schools are eligible."[4][5] In the mid-1950s, the state open and the state's professional golf organization championships started to be played concurrently.[6]

In 1963, Homero Blancas, then a private in the military, won the tournament. He was one of the first amateurs to win the event.[7] Blancas was one of the most notable champions and would go on to a lengthy career on the PGA Tour. In 1969, the 29th event was held at Acadin Hills Country Club.[2]

Winners

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Year Champion Ref.
1937 Gray Little [2]
1938 Jimmy Cole [8]
1939 Ray Hill
1940 Jim McGonigall
1941 Henry Castillo
1942 Gray Little
1943–1945: No tournament due to World War II
1946 Henry Castillo [3][9]
1947 Frank Champ [10]
1948 Honald Millet [5][11]
1949 Gray Little [5]
1950 Johnny Meyers
1951 Tommy Morrow (a) [12][13]
1952 Gray Little
1953 Frank Champ
1954 Frank Champ
1955 Ned White [14]
1956 Frank Champ
1957 Frank Champ
1958 Jerry Stolhand [15][16]
1959 Fred Haas
1960 Jackey Doss
1961 Billy Capps [17]
1962 Billy Capps
1963 Homero Blancas (a) [7][18]
1964 DeWitt Weaver
1965 Tommy Morrow
1966 Richard Parvino
1967 Jerry Lee Comeaux
1968 Tommy Morrow
1969 Bill Daigle (a) [19]
1970 Richard Ellis [20]
1971 Richard Gaille [21]
1972 Robert Flagler [22]
1973 Dick Chassee [23]
1974 Bob Davis (a) [24]

Source:[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "LA Open Past Winners". The Shreveport Journal. Louisiana. July 14, 1969. p. 12A. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c "State Open At Lafayette". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Louisiana. July 21, 1969. p. A10. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Louisiana Open Scheduled Nov. 1–3 At Baton Rouge". The Shreveport Times. Louisiana. August 19, 1946. p. 14. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "Announce Plans For Golf Event". Monroe Morning World. Louisiana. August 25, 1946. p. 11. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c Johnson, Larry (November 13, 1949). "Links Log – State Open Set for Dec. 2–3". The Shreveport Times. Louisiana. p. 38. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Strohland (sic) Cops Open ove Jay Hebert". Daily World. October 21, 1958. p. 19. Retrieved December 24, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "Blancas First Amateur To Win Louisiana Open". The Shreveport Times. Louisiana. Associated Press. December 13, 1963. p. C1. Retrieved September 19, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Lastie Hoffpauir Qualifies To Plat In State Tourney". Crowley Daily Signal. October 7, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Henry Castillo Wins Louisiana State Open Golf". The Shreveport Times. Louisiana. Associated Press. November 4, 1946. p. 14. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Champ to Defend Louisiana State Open Golf Crown". The Shreveport Times. Associated Press. November 15, 1948. p. 16. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Millet Captures Louisiana State Open Golf Crown". The Shreveport Times. Associated Press. November 29, 1948. p. 15. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Bullock, Jimmy (December 31, 1951). "Highlights In Various Fields Are Rounded Up: 1951 Sports – October". Shreveport Journal. pp. 8–9. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "100 Expected to Be After State Open, LPGO Titles". The Shreveport Times. November 28, 1955. p. 5B. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "State Open Date On Tap". The Shreveport Times. September 16, 1956. p. 4D. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Stolhand Wins Open Tourney". The Shreveport Journal. October 20, 1958. p. A11. Retrieved July 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "State's Open Golf Tourney At Bogalusa". The Monroe News-Star. October 15, 1959. p. 5B. Retrieved August 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "State Open Won by Capps". The Shreveport Journal. Associated Press. December 4, 1961. p. 16A. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Blancas Captures Louisiana Open". Nashville Banner. Associated Press. December 13, 1963. p. 32. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Daigle Withstands Charges". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Associated Press. p. A11 – via newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Freeze, Larry. "Ellis Charges to State Title". The Shreveport Times. p. C1 – via newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Gaille Winner In Golf Event". The Shreveport Times. p. D6 – via newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Robichaux, Gerry. "Flagler Takes State Open Crown". The Shreveport Times. p. C1 – via newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Long Birdie Putt Wins for Chassee". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Associated Press. p. B4 – via newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Carter, Bill (December 6, 1974). "Cozy Back Side Answered Davis' Call". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. p. B1. Retrieved September 16, 2022 – via newspapers.com.