If you have heard the fast-moving rumors involving George Brown III and Aquila Golf, there is some truth to them. However, what actually transpired is much more limited than some of the stories making the rounds.
Brown has been owner and operator of Bayou Din Golf Club since 1980. Under the Aquila umbrella, he has had an agreement with the City of Port Arthur to manage Babe Zaharias Golf Club since 1993. Aquila was also involved with Belle Oaks Golf Club for a brief period in the late 1990s before pulling out.
Until a couple of months ago, Brown operated his golf business pretty much as a lone wolf. That changed in November when he entered into a 50-50 equity partnership with retired Sulphur, Louisiana, vet Dr. Glen Rhodes. Since retiring several ago, Rhodes has been heavily involved in real estate projects, including a handful of golf courses in Texas and Louisiana.
Brown and Rhodes first crossed paths while bidding on the same property at an auction in Louisiana about 10 years ago. They were eventually brought together by a broker and in 2014 Rhodes made an offer to completely buy out Aquila Golf.
“It just didn’t feel right to me at the time,” Brown said. “But as I’ve gotten to know Glen he’s become the best business partner I ever had. We have really hit it off. He has a big vision for ranches and golf courses and does more than he says he’s going to do.”
Rhodes’ agreement with Brown specifies that he’ll be involved on the property side only. He will have no say whatsoever in the golfing aspect of the operation. Brown, who remains 100 percent in charge of the golf, says not to expect changes in staff at Bayou Din or Babe Zaharias, or on the courses.
Golfers who play at Bayou Din have probably already noticed Rhodes’ influence. A major clubhouse remodeling is underway.
“There will be a big change,” says Brown. “We will also be doing a lot of cleaning up outside the clubhouse. I’m real excited about the new look. I think golfers who play at Bayou Din will be impressed.”
CHIP SHOTS
Last time former Lamar golf coach Brian White caddied for Chris Stroud, the PN-G ex finished second in a November European Tour event at St. Andrews and pocketed over $400,000.
After poor putting led to a 73-74 in the Sony Open, and a third consecutive missed cut on the PGA Tour, Stroud is hoping for another boost from his college coach. White, who works with Stroud
at Lochinvar Golf Club in Houston, has flown to Palm Springs to help get Chris back on track with his putter in the Career Builders Challenge at PGA West.
The plan is also for him to caddie this week only. Stroud’s nightmare at the Sony, where his 147 (73-74) beat only four players, started with a four-putt from 12 feet. Things didn’t get much better the rest of the way. …
Three other players with area ties — Andrew Landry, Dawie van der Walt and Shawn Stefani — are also in the field for the Palm Springs tournament which used to be hosted by Bob Hope. Former president Bill Clinton is now the celebrity host.
For Landry, it will be his first start on the 2016 portion of the new season. He will be trying to make his first cut on the PGA Tour, after carding the same 36-hole score (143) in three fall events.
Van der Walt will also be trying to rebound from a missed cut at the Sony after shooting 141 (69-72).
Stefani finished tied for 50th on rounds of 67-67-72-66. His 272 total was worth $13,881.33. …
The Super Saturday Game at Babe Zaharias was played in a best two-ball format. On the front, the team of Javier Torres, Larry Johnson, Gene Jones and Dan Flood won with minus-3. The foursome of Bill Hanley, Rick Pritchett, Tom LeTourneau and Wes McGuire combined for minus-4 to win the back. …
The Friday Game at Zaharias was also played in a two-ball format, with the team of Bob Byerly, Adam Noel, Harrell Guidry and a ghost partner winning the front in minus-4. On the back, there was a three-way tie between teams captained by Craig Fontenot, Tony Trevino and Byerly. …
The Thursday Senior Game at The Babe was played in a 9/9 best ball, scramble format. The duo of
Joe Gongora-Gerald Huebel won First Flight with a 68. Guidry-Don MacNeil took Second Flight with a 67. In Third Flight, Tommy Duhon-Dwain Morrison prevailed with a 75. Closest to the pin winners were Guidry (No. 2), Charles Leard (No. 7), Gongora (No. 12) and Huckaby (No. 15). …
The foursome of Earl Richard, LeTourneau, Paul Brown and Bud Auffurth rolled up 19 points to win the Babe Zaharias DogFight. Second with 18 points was the foursome of Gary Whitfill, Ron Mistrot, Jim Cooper and Morrison. Closest to the pin winners were Guidry (No. 2), Ed Hetzel (No. 7), Dillard Darbonne (No. 12) and David Sturgal (No. 15). …
Monday’s Senior 50 Plus Game at the Babe ended in multiple ties on both the front and back nines. On the front, teams captained by Trevino, Fontenot and Benny Sharpe finished at minus-2. On the back, the Sharpe team tied at minus 3 with the team captained by Byerly. …
The Jan. 11 Senior 50 Plus Game at The Babe was played in a best two-ball format. The front was won in even by the team of Richard Briggs, Bobby Wactor, Billy Thillet and Huckaby. On the back, the foursome of P.Y. Young, Raymond Darbonne, Dillard Darbonne and Larry Foster posted the winning score of minus-4. …
Opening event in the Texas-Louisiana Junior Tour is set for Saturday, Feb. 6 at Gray Plantation in
Lake Charles. Entry deadline is Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. Entry blanks can be obtained at the Zaharias golf shop or by e-mailing jhonz@pgatour.com. Cost to play is $20.
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