Backspin Volume 3, Issue 1 | Page 14

juniorspin a reunion The New Orleans Junior Golf Reunion took place at the historic Lakewood Country Club in New Orleans. Former PGA Tour player Kelly Gibson and Top 100 PGA of America teacher Brian Manzella were in attendance. Rick Oster and Mitch Kapoulas organized the event that included New Orleans Golf Association members from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Brian Noto cooked his famous pasta jambalya, and the Lakewood staff also Winners of the tournament were Mark Bernard, Stephen Bernard, Troy Bernard and Daniel helped provide food after the tournament. Theriot (pictured with Rick Oster & Mitch Kapoulas). “The tournament exceeded our expectations,” said Oster. “Mitch and I came up with the idea because junior golf meant so much to us and was an important part of our childhood. We realized there were so many guys we knew only through golf, that we hadn’t seen in 35 or 40 years. We were all competitors as kids (and into high school and college), but there was mutual respect for each other and genuine friendship.” Oster said he was pleased with the turnout and that everyone enjoyed re-connecting. They plan to make it an annual event. Seth Boudoin and Chase Robles Brian Noto 12