SWLA Junior GOLF

04/30/2024

I created this page back in 2012. I was in the beginnings of building a large junior golf program on the heels of securing a Tiger Woods Foundation Grant for Lake Charles. Through 2018, I had built multiple junior golf programs. We even partnered with Ward 3 Recreation’s early junior golf introductory program. I built the entire infrastructure for a large and successful and sustainable junior golf program by 2018. I had a golf in schools through Middle School PE Coaches program.
I provided the equipment and a curriculum guideline. I created the PGA Junior League in 2013. It grew so much by 2018 that we had turn away applicants. That year I was the Coach for the All Star Team. We went to TPC Louisiana in New Orleans and finally beat the Jackson, Mississippi team on our 4th try. We were in the Regional finals, further than we had ever gone. We lost to a team from the David Tom’s Academy in Shreveport. It was the start of something that could have grown much bigger. However, a burn out of sorts had overcome me about that time. I was running a Youth Tour summer program all around Calacasieu Parish and even to Koasati Pines in Kinder. All while operating the Lake Charles Municipal golf course full time. I also had a tanning salon open in Moss Bluff. I asked for local help to step up and give me an extra hand or two keeping the junior golf opportunities available and growing. Sadly, no one was interested. The ones who should have been invested in the effort to that point just kept to themselves. They didn’t want to put out the kind of effort I was. Ultimately, I made a choice to walk away from everything good and positive that I had done for Junior Golf in Calcasieu Parish. And, walk away at the peak of its success. There was a 501c3 Board in place that I had managed for 5 years as the President. I informed them of my decision. When, I finallly left with only half my brain intact, no one (not 1 single citizen of Calacasieu Parish) stepped up to keep the wheels turning. All the infrastructure I had built was in place. It only needed to managed and maintained. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. So you only have a half hearted attempt being made now to create new future golfers through a pitiful offering of junior golf activities in this Parish. Real PGA Golf Pros make things happen!

05/27/2020

Sure why not?

A set of challengers has emerged to take on the winners of Capital One’s "The Match: Champions for Charity" on Sunday...

05/22/2019

I don’t know what to tell you folks. I’m hearing the SWLA Jr Golf Association is not going to host Jr golf tournaments. All I can suggest is to join the STPGA Tour and play out of the Beaumont Metro section. It sure is disappointing to know my hard work is being flushed down the toilet. I had all the tools in place that took 5 years to build. All it would take is an Administrator, and the Association actually hired one. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. Apparently no one else wants to be obligated to provide opportunities for the local kids. Sad sad sad.
Note: no one from the Board is speaking directly to me, calls and messages not returned.
Derek

05/09/2019

A parent called Putter’s recently to inquire about Jr golf tournaments this year and was told there is a meeting tomorrow to discuss it. But the person who answered the call felt like the meeting was not going to happen. No one is getting any answers. Not even myself. There is plenty of money there to keep up the programs that I built.
Derek

01/21/2019

Not sure what has been happening with Jr Golf in the Lake Charles area since I left. I have talked to Dennis Trahan several times. He is supposed to be taking over the summer tournament program. I have transferred both web sites over to Larry Thomas - swlayouthtour.com and swlajrgolf.com. I’ve told Dennis I need to get this page turned over to him. As of yet, that has not happened.

If you are wanting to know what is planned for 2019, I would suggest calling Putters Driving Range and ask for Larry Thomas or Dennis Trahan. Or call Lake Charles Country Club and ask for Greg. I hope they are working on something.
::::: Derek Smith

11/20/2018

The Shreveport team from
David Tom’s Academy finishes 4th out of 8 teams at the National Championship. Now we really know how good our 2018 All Star Team was! We played against them in Day 1 stroke play and in the Sectional Finals.

Congratulations Team Louisiana on finishing 4th place in the PGA Jr. League Championship!

09/12/2018

https://www.pgajrleague.com/news_article/show/948379

The Shreveport All-Stars have secured their spot at the PGA Jr. League Championship presented by National Car Rental! To start the day, the Gulf States PGA Jr. League Section Champion Shreveport All-Stars met the Kentucky PGA Jr. League Section Championship Runners-Up Triple Crown All-Stars, winni

09/11/2018

Our Lake Charles PGA Jr League All Star Team lost to Shreveport in the Section Championship Finals. We wished them well and told them we hope they represent the Gulf States PGA Section well and we told them to go win the Regional for us too. It looks like they did it. Congratulations to the David Tom’s Academy Team for advancing to the National Championship! Again, we wish you the best and go for it all!

08/28/2018

SWLA Youth Tour Season Points winners! Please come by Mallard Cove tomorrow or after to pick up your medals. Congratulations to all the Points Winners this year! (some have been given out already).

08/27/2018

Gulf States PGA Jr All Star Team from the Lake Charles LA League. Finished 2nd at the Section Championship at TPC New Orleans this weekend. 2nd best team in all of Mississippi and Louisiana. These are some great kids and also some great jr golfers! We have lots to be proud of!

08/16/2018

We are now looking for a McNeese or Sowela College Freshmen who played high school golf, but is not necessarily playing on the college golf team. We want to award for the 2nd year our Mike Heinen SWLA JGA Scholarship for $1000. Last year's recipient was Eric Brown. Please read the Scholarship letter and respond with the requested information through the mail. WE ARE LOOKING TO GIVE AWAY OUR 2nd $1000 SCHOLARSHIP!!!