Greg Berthelot (Louisiana Golf Association Photo)
Greg Berthelot of Baton Rouge is now a three-time Louisiana Amateur Champion and the undisputed best amateur golfer in the state. He carded rounds of 69-72-69-72 to finish 6-under and win the 105th Louisiana Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Louisiana by one shot over Jarrod Johnson of Ponchatoula.
Johnson fired a final round 66 on Sunday, which was tied for the lowest round of the championship, to make things interesting. Berthelot played brilliantly all week and made 16 birdies in 72 holes. His victory secures his exemption into the U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club in August.
Berthelot joins John Humphries, Shirley Picard, Jimmy McGonagill, and Fred Hass, Jr., as the only players in the LGA's history, dating back to 1920, to win at least three state amateur championships.
Berthelot is also the two-time reigning Louisiana Mid-Amateur Champion. Berthelot was in the final pairing of the day, along with Tyler Ledet of Lafayette and Patrick Blaum of Covington. In the final round, Berthelot shot 35 on the first nine holes and 37 on the second nine holes.
When he stepped on the 18th tee Sunday afternoon, he was at nine-under par for the championship with a three-shot lead. However, drama ensued, and a few errant shots left Berthelot with a five-foot putt for a triple bogey to the back left-hole location to win the championship.
Fortunately, he drained the putt and could take a sigh of relief. Berthelot birdied the par 5 No. 2 and par-5 No. 11 in all four rounds of competition this week.
The Country Club of Louisiana (CCLA) was in immaculate condition for this championship. CEO Chris Brown, Head Golf Professional Brian Williams, and the entire CCLA team went above and beyond to enhance the player experience, and it was a tremendous showcase of one of the premier clubs in Louisiana.
CCLA’s hospitality was first-class. On Sunday, the Jack Nicklaus-designed course played to a par 72 at 6,954 yards. This was the fourth time in history that CCLA has hosted the Louisiana Amateur Championship (also in 1999, 2006, and 2017). 282 was the champion's highest total since 2018.
Ryan Fulton of Crowley and Ryan Dupuy of Baton Rouge finished tied for 3rd place.
ABOUT THE
Louisiana Amateur
The Louisiana Golf Association Amateur
Championship
is the most prestigious of the organization's
championships, having been conducted every year
since 1920. Entries are open to any Louisiana
resident
(as of at least 90 days) who is an amateur golfer
holding membership in a LGA member club in good
standing. 72 hole stroke play championship.
View Complete Tournament Information