Jay & Lionel Hebert Municipal Golf Course

🎥 NOW LIVE ON YOUTUBE! ⛳️🏌🏾‍♂️

Celebrating 100 YEARS of Jay & Lionel Hebert with a special panel at Oakbourne Country Club—honoring the history, legacy, stories, and generations that helped shape golf in our community.

This one is bigger than golf. It’s about legacy, family, history, and impact. 💯

▶️ The full video is UP NOW — go watch!
🎬 Shot & Edited by Cameron Lawrence / RUNDACITY

Oak Bourne Country Club Panel * 100 YEAR CELEBRATION OF JAY & LIONEL HERBERT * 2026 shot and edited by cameron lawrence

A Personal Reflection: The Call That Inspired My Journey:

About 12 or 13 years ago, while planning the Big Brooklyn Golf Show in New York, I had a vision of bringing golfers together for a historical and educational presentation to honor the game's rich history. During the event prep, I was given Lee Elder’s phone number. Getting to speak directly with him about his career and historic achievements was deeply inspiring—he was truly an incredible individual. While I only saw him in passing a few times later on, that conversation left a lasting mark on my own golf journey.

Years later, while putting together these historical features for our own 100 years of Golf and Gala in Lafayette, Louisiana my Uncle Al Damo shared another great memory: Lee was easily the best-dressed golfer on the course every single year he came out to play. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful for the gentleman who paved the way for me and so many others in this game.

Paving the Way: Lee Elder’s Journey, Legacy, and History at the Cajun Classic in Lafayette, Louisiana

As we celebrate a landmark 100 years of golf right here in Lafayette—highlighted by our recent centennial gala celebrating a century of community, competition, and progress at our local course (formerly known as Muni and now proudly named the Jay & Lionel Hebert Golf Course)—we reflect on the legends who shaped the sport. Long before Lee Elder broke one of sport’s most historic barriers as the first African American to play in the Masters Tournament in 1975, his path as a PGA Tour professional was forged through grit, undeniable talent, and key milestones in South Louisiana.

The Lafayette Connection: The Cajun Classic
Elder’s arrival on the big stage ran directly through Lafayette, Louisiana.

After dominating the United Golf Association (UGA) circuit—winning 18 of 22 tournaments in a single stretch—Elder raised funds to attend Q-School and earned his PGA Tour card in late 1967.

PGA Tour Debut (1967): Elder made his official regular PGA Tour debut right here in Lafayette at the Cajun Classic Open Invitational, held at Oakbourne Country Club.

Impeccable Style & Presence: Beyond his ball-striking, Elder immediately turned heads with his dignity and sharp presentation. He walked onto the fairways as one of the best-dressed, most impeccably tailored golfers in the field every single week.

Season-Ending Stakes: Held at Oakbourne Country Club, the Cajun Classic served as the PGA Tour's official year-end event during the 1960s. It was an essential battleground where players fought for final money-list standings to secure tour privileges for the following year.

Desegregation Era in the Deep South: Following the 1961 repeal of the PGA’s "Caucasian-only" clause, the Cajun Classic became a crucial stop where Black pioneers—including Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, and Pete Brown—competed on an integrated tour in the South.

The Battle That Announced His Arrival
During his 1968 rookie campaign, Elder proved he belonged at the absolute top of the sport. At the 1968 American Golf Classic at Firestone Country Club, Elder went head-to-head with Jack Nicklaus in a legendary five-hole sudden-death playoff.

While Nicklaus birdied the fifth extra hole to take the title, Elder's extraordinary composure under pressure against the "Golden Bear" captured national attention and established him as a major force in professional golf.

The Path to Augusta

Elder's early consistency at stops like Lafayette laid the groundwork for his landmark victory at the 1974 Monsanto Open. That triumph earned him an invitation to the 1975 Masters Tournament at Augusta National, breaking a long-standing color barrier and opening doors for generations of golfers to come.

From unforgettable phone calls to the historic fairways of Lafayette during our centennial era, Lee Elder’s story remains an enduring symbol of elegance, perseverance, and trailblazing achievement.

CONNECTING THE DOTS: The Journey of Louisiana Golf Continues ⛳️✨

The Centennial message didn’t end at the Gala—it carries on as we continue to honor the deep, rich history of Louisiana Golf and the incredible people who shape it.

I have to take a moment and look back to my early days in New York at Cherry Valley Country Club. My Head Golf Professional Ed Kelly and good friend, John Hickey, introduced me to Don Beatty, the Golf Professional at Garden City Country Club.

For years, Don would say to me: "Hey Chris, you’re from Lafayette, Louisiana—do you happen to know Jean-Paul Hebert?" At the time, I didn't know him. Don shared, "That's Jay Hebert's son. You guys need to connect since you're both from Louisiana."

Little did I know that Jean-Paul had worked at Garden City Country Club for Don Beatty.

Decades later, according to God’s perfect plan, our paths crossed on a deeply historic level to preserve and honor the legacy of his late father Jay and uncle Lionel Hebert!

And the story gets even more incredible...

Jean-Paul is writing his own historic chapter in college golf. On May 22, 2026, he was named the new Men’s Golf Head Coach at Baylor University, bringing over two decades of collegiate coaching excellence to the program!

Before taking the helm at Baylor, Jean-Paul led the UNLV Rebels for four seasons—guiding them to the 2026 Mountain West Championship and three consecutive NCAA Regional appearances.

Prior to UNLV, he spent 12 seasons at his alma mater, the University of Texas (where he was a 3-time All-American player alongside Justin Leonard). At UT, he helped lead the Longhorns to NCAA National Championships in 2012 and 2022, mentored World No. 1 and 2-time Masters Champion Scottie Scheffler, and was named the 2020 National Assistant Coach of the Year!

Now, full circle: In the Spring of 2027, Coach Jean-Paul Hebert will bring his Baylor Bears to compete right here at Oakbourne Country Club—the very fairways where his father Jay and uncle Lionel played, competed, and planted seeds of excellence generations ago.

From the fairways of the Jay & Lionel Hebert Golf Course to the national collegiate stage, the Hebert family remains true trailblazers of the game.

Here’s to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and carrying this legacy forward for the next generation! 🏌️‍♂️🏆

I am truly humbled to share that I have been named the 2026 Parish Proud Volunteer of the Year.

This recognition belongs to all of us. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our incredible staff, dedicated volunteers, and extended community who have wrapped their arms around me and offered unwavering support since I returned home. Every project we undertake, every space we clean up, and every young person we engage is a direct reflection of your hard work, pride, and devotion to making Acadiana a better place.

A very special thank you goes to my wife, Vee, and the wonderful Ladies of Links. Your incredible efforts and continued partnership during our Community Cleanups keep us grounded, inspired, and moving forward.

I share and celebrate this award with each and every one of you. Thank you all for your continuous dedication, love, and community spirit!

Congratulations to our 2026 Parish Proud Volunteer of the Year, Chris Arceneaux!

Chris has been a dedicated part of Parish Proud’s work, always willing to step up and bring others along with him. His passion for getting younger generations involved and encouraging them to take pride in their community makes him especially deserving of this recognition.

Join us in congratulating Chris and celebrating all he does for Acadiana! 💚

⛳️ IT’S OFFICIAL — WE’RE SOLD OUT! ⛳️

The Todd Lastrapes Memorial Foundation Golf Tournament this Saturday, September 12, 2026 is officially SOLD OUT for teams! 🙌🏽🏌️‍♂️

We can’t accept any additional teams, but we will add a few single golfers to our waiting list in case spots become available. Please contact us if you’d like to play. See flyer for more details and information. If would like to support this great organization you can make a donation.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone for the incredible support of this great cause! 💚

Come out, enjoy the day, and join us on the golf links!

See you on Saturday!!

⛳️ LABOR DAY CLOSURE NOTICE 🇺🇸

In observance of Labor Day, Jay & Lionel Hebert Golf Course will be CLOSED on Monday.

From all of us at Jay & Lionel Hebert Golf Course, have a great Labor Day holiday! Be safe out there and enjoy the day. 🇺🇸⛳️

As we celebrate 100 Years of Golf (1926–2026), we thank our golfers, families, friends, and community for your continued support.

A Century of Golf: Building on the Past, Driving Toward the Future. ✨