TEAM LOUISIANA
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT | A FLIGHT I B FLIGHT I C FLIGHT I D FLIGHT
CHAMPIONSHIP FLIGHT | A FLIGHT I B FLIGHT I C FLIGHT I D FLIGHT
Lafayette, LA – Eric Simmons will serve as captain
of the 2009 Louisiana team for the 3rd Annual VALA
Challenge Cup match against Virginia. This event
precedes the Egolf National Championship in Hilton
Head Island, SC. VALA Challenge Cup occurs on
October 21-22.
"Each year Lyle and I try to introduce a little something
different,” remarked Simmons when asked about the
changes for 2009. “We have added another round of
golf, and ten more players to each team.” Simmons
added.
“Foursomes, also known as alternate shot, is a very
difficult format, and requires practice,” Simmons replied when asked about the additional round.
How does the Louisiana Team plan to prepare for this new format?
“We have a tournament planned for Oct. 3rd, a competition between our North/South to see which of our
two Tours is the best,” Simmons exclaimed. “We are going to play one round of four-ball, and one round
of alternate shot at Links on the Bayou. Most of my higher flights have never played alternate shot. It will
help me decide partners when we get to Hilton Head."
“Last year, our A flight just never got out of the blocks,” Simmons remarked.
“I’m not taking anything away from Virginia’s A flight, I just know what my season
points winner, Lance Halsell, told me when I asked him how he did against Dave Scearce, VA’s A flight
champ.
“I wouldn’t have placed in the C flight with that showing Captain,” replied Halsell.
Why is this year so important? “Well,” Simmons sighed, “This is the rubber match; we each have a victory
so this decides it.” Will the teams meet again in 2010? “Sure, I’ll be here as long as Lyle wants to
continue competing against Louisiana,” Simmons said. “We expect this event to last a long time. In fact, it
is already bigger than either Lyle or I expected. It has gained some attention from the local newspapers in
Hilton Head.” Simmons remarked.
Simmons plays on the North, South, and Senior Tours in Louisiana. There are 10 events in a season on
each of the LAAGT schedules. “I’m a blessed man,” Eric added, “how many people can say they have 350
friends.” “I never base my enjoyment of the game on how well I play,” Simmons explains “a bad day at the
course is always better than a good day at work.”
“Lyle and I hit if off when we met in 2006. He was Director of the Year and I was Rookie Director of the
Year,” Simmons added, “we discussed ways of gaining interest in our tours, and shared what worked and
what didn’t work and Lyle came up with the idea of a competition between our states styled after the Ryder
Cup; voila’ the VALA Cup was born.” “Lyle’s the idea guy, and I just agree with everything.” Simmons
quipped, “Lyle’s a graphics design guy, and I’m just an old worn out carpenter.”
CAPTAIN PROFILE
Full Name: Eric C. Simmons
Residence: Lafayette, LA
Birthplace: Beaumont, TX
Height/Weight: 6ft 2in / 250 lbs.
Family: Wife: Gizell, 2 Children, Hunter & Hannah
Interests: Church, golf, politics
Years as Tour Director: 2006-Present
VALA Challenge Cup Captain Record: 1-1
of the 2009 Louisiana team for the 3rd Annual VALA
Challenge Cup match against Virginia. This event
precedes the Egolf National Championship in Hilton
Head Island, SC. VALA Challenge Cup occurs on
October 21-22.
"Each year Lyle and I try to introduce a little something
different,” remarked Simmons when asked about the
changes for 2009. “We have added another round of
golf, and ten more players to each team.” Simmons
added.
“Foursomes, also known as alternate shot, is a very
difficult format, and requires practice,” Simmons replied when asked about the additional round.
How does the Louisiana Team plan to prepare for this new format?
“We have a tournament planned for Oct. 3rd, a competition between our North/South to see which of our
two Tours is the best,” Simmons exclaimed. “We are going to play one round of four-ball, and one round
of alternate shot at Links on the Bayou. Most of my higher flights have never played alternate shot. It will
help me decide partners when we get to Hilton Head."
“Last year, our A flight just never got out of the blocks,” Simmons remarked.
“I’m not taking anything away from Virginia’s A flight, I just know what my season
points winner, Lance Halsell, told me when I asked him how he did against Dave Scearce, VA’s A flight
champ.
“I wouldn’t have placed in the C flight with that showing Captain,” replied Halsell.
Why is this year so important? “Well,” Simmons sighed, “This is the rubber match; we each have a victory
so this decides it.” Will the teams meet again in 2010? “Sure, I’ll be here as long as Lyle wants to
continue competing against Louisiana,” Simmons said. “We expect this event to last a long time. In fact, it
is already bigger than either Lyle or I expected. It has gained some attention from the local newspapers in
Hilton Head.” Simmons remarked.
Simmons plays on the North, South, and Senior Tours in Louisiana. There are 10 events in a season on
each of the LAAGT schedules. “I’m a blessed man,” Eric added, “how many people can say they have 350
friends.” “I never base my enjoyment of the game on how well I play,” Simmons explains “a bad day at the
course is always better than a good day at work.”
“Lyle and I hit if off when we met in 2006. He was Director of the Year and I was Rookie Director of the
Year,” Simmons added, “we discussed ways of gaining interest in our tours, and shared what worked and
what didn’t work and Lyle came up with the idea of a competition between our states styled after the Ryder
Cup; voila’ the VALA Cup was born.” “Lyle’s the idea guy, and I just agree with everything.” Simmons
quipped, “Lyle’s a graphics design guy, and I’m just an old worn out carpenter.”
CAPTAIN PROFILE
Full Name: Eric C. Simmons
Residence: Lafayette, LA
Birthplace: Beaumont, TX
Height/Weight: 6ft 2in / 250 lbs.
Family: Wife: Gizell, 2 Children, Hunter & Hannah
Interests: Church, golf, politics
Years as Tour Director: 2006-Present
VALA Challenge Cup Captain Record: 1-1
Schedule of Events
October 20th - 6:30 p.m.
VALA Rules Meeting
FAZIO CONF. CENTER
October 20th - 8:00 p.m.
VALA Opening Match Selection
October 21st - 8:30 a.m.
First Round Four-ball Matches
FAZIO GOLF COURSE
October 21st - 1:30 p.m.
Second Round
Alternate Shot Matches
FAZIO GOLF COURSE
October 21st - 6:30 p.m.
VALA Dinner and Singles
Selection Party
FAZIO CONF. CENTER
October 22nd - 8:30 a.m.
Third Round Singles Matches
ARTHUR HILLS GC
October 22nd - Awards Presentation
October 20th - 6:30 p.m.
VALA Rules Meeting
FAZIO CONF. CENTER
October 20th - 8:00 p.m.
VALA Opening Match Selection
October 21st - 8:30 a.m.
First Round Four-ball Matches
FAZIO GOLF COURSE
October 21st - 1:30 p.m.
Second Round
Alternate Shot Matches
FAZIO GOLF COURSE
October 21st - 6:30 p.m.
VALA Dinner and Singles
Selection Party
FAZIO CONF. CENTER
October 22nd - 8:30 a.m.
Third Round Singles Matches
ARTHUR HILLS GC
October 22nd - Awards Presentation