LAFAYETTE - Former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns golfers Michael Smith (2005-08) and Greg Sonnier (1996-99) are in the same pairing at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open presented by Dynamic Industries at Le Triomphe Golf and Country Club. The duo tee off in the Nationwide Tour Tournament at 2:10 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and 9:35 a.m. on Friday morning.

“I am excited to get back to Lafayette and play at Le Triomphe,” Sonnier said. “It is always nice to play with other Cajuns. I am excited to play with Michael and I have played with Mike [Heinen] several times. The Cajuns have a strong representation here at the tournament, which is a great thing.”

Also taking part in the Chitimacha Louisiana Open will be former Cajuns Mike Heinen (1986-89), Craig Perks (1989-90) and current head coach Theo Sliman (2000-03). Heinen will be playing in the tournament in a different pairing than Smith and Sonnier. Perks, who now serves as one of the golf pros at Le Triomphe, will help out with tournament operations, while Sliman will caddy for his former teammate Sonnier.

Smith was a two-time Academic All-American (2007, 2008), All-Sun Belt Conference selection (2008), two-time All-Louisiana honoree (2007, 2008) and four-time All-Sun Belt Academic honoree (2005-2008). He helped lead the Cajuns to the 2007 Sun Belt Conference Championship and the team’s first NCAA Regional Appearance since 2001. In his senior season, Smith had a team best 73.3 stroke average on the season, playing in all 12 tournaments for the Cajuns. He recorded 34 rounds on the year with 12 rounds of par or better. Smith boasted five rounds in the 60s with a season low of 68 at the ASU Indian Classic and he posted the Cajuns’ 36-hole low with a seven-under par 137 at the ASU Indian Classic. At the Indian Classic, Smith had UL’s 54-hole, finishing the tournament at nine-under par 207. He recorded Top 25 finishes in nine of the 12 tournaments he played and in the Top 10 in five tournaments, finishing no higher than 30th in any tournament on the year.

Sonnier was a four-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection in his time with Louisiana, earning the honor in 1996-99. He helped the Ragin’ Cajuns claim the 1997 Sun Belt Conference Tournament title. Sonnier was a major part of the Cajuns’ back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances in 1996 and 1997, leading UL to a fifth place finish in the 1996 NCAA Regionals with his 24th place finish. Sonnier was one of just six Ragin’ Cajuns named to the Sun Belt Conference’s All-Time Team.

UL Press