.jpg)
Phillip Shurden, Andy York, Tim Faircloth, Blake Mims, and Billy Foster all won the 2025 Cajun Classic Regional hosted by Tamahka Trails Golf Course in Marksville, LA.
The 2nd Annual Cajun Classic Regional successfully attracted a full roster of 100 participants from eight local Tours nationwide to Marksville, Louisiana. Our sincere gratitude goes to Kevin Michael, Greg Gilder, and the staff at Tamahka Trails Golf Course for their exceptional hospitality. The course was impeccably maintained, with the greens performing at their best, rolling north of 12 throughout the weekend. Furthermore, the vibrant atmosphere in the casino added to the overall excitement of the event.
We commenced the weekend on Friday evening with a Top Golf Simulator Contest held in The Draft Room of the casino, which saw participation from 74 players. Each participant had two attempts to achieve the Closest to the Pin (CTP) shot on the iconic 17th hole of TPC Sawgrass, set at a distance of 106 yards. The first-place winner, Scooter LaBorde, recorded an impressive distance of 7.09 feet and was awarded a Stay and Play package valued at $800. The second-place winner, Troy Oliphint, achieved a distance of 13.25 feet and received a Stay and Play package valued at $400.
Following a demanding first day, Kevin Michael, the Director of Golf, crafted an innovative five-station putting obstacle course for our challenge contest. We welcomed 80 participants to this engaging event. Each flight's winner was awarded a Stay & Play package at Paragon Casino, along with a cash prize of $100. Winners were determined by the fewest number of putts:
- Champion Flight: Chris Bailey (13 putts)
- A Flight: Graeme Fidelak (11 putts)
- B Flight: Ed Tilden (13 putts)
- C Flight: Jon Calderon (12 putts)
- D Flight: Billy Foster (13 putts)
I would like to extend my gratitude to Steven Boyd of LIVINITI and JD Davidson of Patricia Netherland Estate for their generous sponsorship of this regional event. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge our Golfweek Tour Sponsor, Srixon, for their donation of a set of irons, which we raffled off, raising $840 for the V Foundation (Victory Over Cancer). Congratulations to Corey Jeansonne, the fortunate winner of the raffle.
In the Championship Flight, Phillip Shurden (Dallas/Fort Worth) maintained his lead throughout both days of competition, starting with a narrow advantage after the first round. He then accelerated on Day Two, delivering an impressive score of 69, which ultimately earned him a four-stroke victory with a total of 73-69-142. Brian Grubbs, the points leader from the LA North Tour, challenged Shurden throughout the weekend, finishing in second place with consistent rounds of 73, resulting in a total score of 146. LaDarrin McLane (Dallas/Fort Worth) secured third place after improving from a tie for fifth on Day One, achieving a five-stroke improvement with rounds of 77 and 72 for a total of 149. Chris Bailey, (Dallas/Fort Worth) demonstrated consistent performance, finishing in fourth place with carding 75-75-150. Notably, Steven Boyd (Louisiana North) posted the low round of Day Two with a score of 74, despite not winning the tournament.
In A Flight, Andy York (LA North) began Day One with a three-stroke deficit, scoring 79-76-155. However, he made a remarkable comeback on Day Two, posting the lowest round of the day with a score of 76, ultimately winning by three strokes. Robbie Brooks (LA North) demonstrated consistency throughout both days, finishing tied for second place with a cumulative score of 156 (77-79). Andrew Almaguer (LA North) held a narrow lead after Day One with a score of 76 but fell short on Day Two, scoring 80, which also placed him in a tie for second with a total of 156. Rounding out the prize money was Matt Walker (LA North), who finished in fourth place with a score of 78-81-159. The Low Round/Non-Winner for Day Two was Kain Savoy (LA South), who achieved a score of 77.
In B Flight, Tim Faircloth (LA North) led the competition from start to finish, achieving a wire-to-wire victory. After a three-way tie on the first day, he secured the win on Day Two with a final score of 78-79-157, finishing one stroke ahead of his competitors. Kyle Swart (LA North), who was in pursuit of his second Cajun Classic title, maintained a consistent second-place position throughout the tournament, concluding with a score of 78-80-158, just one stroke behind Faircloth both days.
Micah Holton (LA North), starting Day One tied for sixth with a four-stroke deficit, made a significant comeback with an impressive score of 79, ultimately claiming third place with a total of 82-79-161. Robie Choate (LA South) finished fourth with a score of 78-84-162, experiencing a six-stroke difference from his Day One tie for first. Notably, the Low Round/Non-Winner for Day Two was Crowley Wright (LA North), who demonstrated remarkable improvement, posting a score of 81 after starting in twelfth place on Day One.
In the C Flight, Blake Mims (LA North) emerged victorious with a consistent performance, posting scores of 82-81 for a total of 163. Mims maintained a commanding lead throughout the weekend, finishing three strokes ahead of second-place finisher Rick Ryan (LA North), who recorded a total of 166 with scores of 83-83. Ryan faced challenges on day two, notably incurring two triple bogeys in the final three holes of his round.
David Foster (LA North) initially placed tenth after the first day but made a remarkable comeback, improving by eight strokes on Day Two to secure a solid tie for third place with a total score of 172 (90-82). Sharing the T-3 position and claiming fourth place prize money was William Maddox (Alabama), who finished with a score of 172 (84-88). Notably, the low round for non-winners on day two was achieved by Trey Mayeux (LA North), who delivered an impressive score of 83.
In the D Flight, Billy Foster (LA South) achieved a score of 90-83-173, showcasing his potential by commanding a three-stroke lead to victory on the second day. He delivered an impressive 38 on the front nine, which solidified his win. Scooter LaBorde (LA North) improved significantly, moving from seventh place after the first day to second place on Day Two with a commendable comeback round of 85, finishing with a total of 91-85-176. Jim Abshire (LA South) faced a challenging weekend, ultimately securing third place after leading on Day One. Kurt Simpson (LA North) maintained consistency, finishing fourth with a score of 90-90-180. Notably, the low round for non-winners on Day Two was recorded by Ricky Johnson (LA North), who achieved an excellent score of 85.
The Golfweek Amateur Tour operates Local Tours in over 45 markets across the country and hosts both one-day and two-day tournaments. To get your tour card, visit www.amateurgolftour.net, complete the Join the Tour form, pay your annual membership, and become part of the oldest and largest nationwide amateur golf tour in the United States as we enter our 31st season. The Senior Amateur Tour also hosts one-day and two-day tournaments in over 25 markets nationwide and is open to players 50 years of age and older. Consider joining us by visiting www.senioramateurgolftour.net, completing a Join the Tour form, and paying your annual membership for our 27th season.