The 27th annual Alumni Golf Tournament was held by the Lions golf team as a fund raiser for the team.
The tournament was played at Carter Plantation in Springfield, Louisiana on Oct. 21. The weather could not have been better for golf.
“It’s gone real good,” said Head golf Coach Jake Narro. “We had 96 people out there. Lots of alumni and lots of people who have festivities going on this weekend. The weather is perfect. That is the number one thing when you’re doing something like this. If it was raining, it would be a nightmare.”
The Homecoming Alumni Golf Tournament has been a tradition for Homecoming and has always been run by the Lions golf team.
“It’s been going on for a long time, well before my time,” said Narro. “It’s an important event for the school, golf team and Homecoming weekend.”
All funds for the tournament went to the golf team who helped the participants on the course and kept the tournament going smoothly.
“This is a specific fund raiser for the golf team,” said Narro. “If anybody is in charge, it is us. Carter Plantation is our home course, this is where we practice. Golf and fund raising go hand in hand. It’s a lot easier to ask people for money when you can give them something. A few drinks, a little food, play golf and hand out a prize or two. It makes it a lot easier to sell fund raising.”
The alumni that attended were not just former athletes but important community members as well.
“We had Ken Kennelly, son of Pat Kennelly, and Mayor Pete Panepinto,” said Narro. “We had a couple judges and community leaders come to the event.”
Former Lions golf player Kevin Grace who played 1990 to 1992 remembers how different Homecoming was when he was a student.
“It was a little bit different when I was around because we had no football,” said Grace. “From what I remember the Homecoming schedule was built around the basketball team.”
Grace enjoyed taking part in Homecoming this year at the tournament.
“Anytime I get to do something with the university, it’s always good to see old friends and how the golf team has developed and is still going,” said Grace. “The thing that I enjoy about it is the golfers that are always out there and always anticipating. It’s always enjoyable to meet them, watch them hit some shots.”