LOUISIANA La. - When Bob Bass signed the area’s three top high school seniors last spring, much of the talk was the impact that the threesome would have on the UL golf program.

But few people, Bass included, thought that Michael Smith, Morgan Landry and B.C. Thibeaux would make such a splash so soon.

At least two of the three have made the Cajuns’ six-man travel roster in each of the first two tournaments this fall, out of a roster of a dozen players, and they’re making history of sorts this week when all three are in the lineup for the SMU/Stonebridge Invitational in McKinney, Texas.

Smith (St. Thomas More), Landry (Lafayette High) and Thibeaux (Teurlings Catholic) have been friends for years, and all basically grew up in the game and played junior golf at Oakbourne. But, until this week, they’ve never been on a team together since they played at different high schools.

Add in fellow Cajun freshman Justin Lowe of Tioga, who has also made a tournament appearance this year, and it’s been a youth-dominated squad for Bass in the early part of the season.

“It’s not me picking them, either,” said Bass. “They’ve all qualified to play through our qualifying rounds, so they’ve had to play their way into the lineup.”

Smith, in particular, made a big stride two weeks ago when, playing as an individual, he tied for fifth in Southern Mississippi’s Raising Cane Classic with a strong 72-71-67—210 score to finish three-under-par. Landry has been in the lineup in both tournaments so far, posting an even-par 72 in one round of the season-opening Mean Green Invitational and a one-under 70 in the middle round of the USM meet.

“Michael’s finish as Southern Miss was just outstanding,” Bass said. “That may be the best first-tournament showing for a freshman player since I’ve been here.”

Bass’ tenure as Cajun coach encompasses 15 years, but probably never in that time have first-year players perform so solidly so early.

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Dan McDonald
dmcdonald@lafayette.gannett.com