If there was a Best Dressed Award, it would have been presented to the Class of 2002 American flag-wearing foursome—Richie Savoie, Michael Ricci, Joe Vaccaro, and Michael Benz. These guys were celebrating Memorial Day for the entire week!

The 2019 Jesuit Golf Classic is one for the books! The postponed event was as “hot” as it has ever been, in both senses of the word. A sold-out total of 220 Blue Jays and friends beat the heat to support Jesuit on the competitive Rees Jones-designed, par-72 championship course at Bayou Oaks at City Park for the tournament presented by IBERIABANK. The last Friday of May offered clear skies, picture-perfect moments, and low scores for golfers in both the morning and afternoon rounds. 

View the 2019 Jesuit Golf Classic Photo Gallery!

Class Cup

The coveted Class Cup, which goes to the foursome made up of alumni from the same class with the lowest overall score, is awarded to the Class of 1994. The winning foursome, which turned in a score of -17, includes René Baumer, Charles Henry, Joe Lavigne, and George Sins.

Class Cup winners from the 1994 foursome are George Sins, Charles Henry, Joe Lavigne, and René Baumer

Morning Round

The winning foursomes were determined using a Jesuit-inspired (and Bayou Oaks-approved) innovative handicap scoring system that divided golfers into three flights based on how they finished. The morning round, consisting of more than 100 golfers, was won by the Class of 2001 foursome – Jared Strecker, Adam Bailey, Josh Couvillion, and Craig Geraci — with a score of -15.

The Class of 2002 foursome of Michael Ricci, Joe Vaccaro, Michael Benz, and Richie Savoie and took second place. Harry Hawney, Charles Neyrey, Jamie Caldcleaugh, and Chris Wertz placed 3rd.

Morning Mass at 7 a.m. was offered for the first time in the event’s history and celebrated by alumni chaplain Fr. Paul Shaughnessy, S.J.

Afternoon Round

The afternoon round was won by class cup champions René Baumer, Charles Henry, Joe Lavigne, and George Sins. The ’94 class defeated Mike Pizzitola ’02, Justin Pigford ’06, Ryan Peters ’06, and Ben Brooks for the first place flight.

Second place in the afternoon went to the foursome of Hugh Wagner, Ralph Cox, Chris Cox, and Kelly Burke. Third place went to Daniel Maurin, Eric Beach, Paul Treuting, and Paul Cusimano. 

Other Awards

The longest drive contest (Hole #11) was won by Tom Bartlett ’89 (morning) and Jason Donnaud (afternoon). Dean Roy (morning) and Mike Pizzitola (afternoon) won the closest to the hole competition (Hole #17).

On-course award winners for the longest drive were Tom Bartlett ’89 (morning) and Jude Donnaud (afternoon), and “closest to the hole” winners were Dean Roy (morning) and Mike Pizzitola (afternoon).

Special Thanks

Jesuit thanks 2019 Golf Classic chairman J.P. Escudier ’95 and his committee: Anne Barnes, Quinn Vorhaben ’96, Bill Hare ’90, Mike Rodrigue ’71, Cheri Turk-Adler, Fred Gaupp ’73, Clint Romig ’94, Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58, D.J. Galiano ’07, Mat Grau ’68, Krista Roeling, Jeremy Reuther ’01, Tom Bagwill, Brittany Donnes, and Jack Culotta, Jr. ’13. 

Jesuit would like to thank Bill Poynot, the father of Joe Poynot ’09, who generously donated and prepared jambalaya for afternoon golfers. Jesuit would also like to thank Michael Lavie ’80 for donating the shrimp and grits for morning golfers. Special photography by Greg Caffarel ’73 (Caffarel Photography) is also greatly appreciated!

Jesuit is grateful for the help of Anne Barnes and her dedicated group of volunteers, including Diane Gruezke, Kathy Weidner, Jeanne Dufour, Jeannie Favret, Jill Chaze, Julie Calhoun, Cindy Wooderson, Allison James, and Leah Grau.

And finally, Jesuit offers its gratitude to the following organizations for their generous donations: Acme Oyster House, Assured Partners, Banner Chevrolet, Bayou Oaks at City Park, Central City BBQ, Chateau Cafe, Crescent Crown Distributing, Drago’s Seafood, Festivious Gourmet Catering, Galatoire’s, Harrah’s Gulf Coast (Biloxi), IBERIABANK, Lakewood Country Club, L’Auberge Casino Hotel, Louisiana Garment, Mr. Mudbug, Paul Piazza and Son, Inc., Pelican Ice, Perret’s, and Sports Beat Pub & Cafe.