2023 Champion: Oregon native adds golf title to his very impressive resumé

John Tommasini has an impressive resumé at the age of 34.
He is married with a child, a college graduate (Oregon State, predentist), a former D-I college baseball player (played infield for Oregon State), and a successful business owner (he owns four Jet Coffee establishments in Lafayette). Now, he can put on his resumé — a championship golfer.
On Sunday, July 30, Tommansini won his first-ever golf title by winning the Southern Oaks Country Club Members Championship Tournament.
He shot a two-day total of 139 (68-71) to beat 2021 Southern Oaks championship Aaron David by three strokes (142, 72-70). Ryan Mayard was third (144, 72-72).
When Tommasini approached the 18th green, he was unsure he was leading. At the start of the second day, he was one stroke behind the leader, and there was no leaderboard to glance at to see who had the overall lead.
It was not until he missed his birdie putt on the final hole and tournament director Cade Hebert advised him to mark his last shot instead of tapping in. That is when he realized he was probably in first place.
Hebert took a photo of him making a par on the final hole to secure his first-ever golf title.
“I am very thankful,” Tommasini said. “I am thankful because you are never guaranteed the next day. God is good.”
On Sunday, Tommasini’s strategy was simple — play against the course and not worry about other golfers.
“To me, I play against the course,” he said. “I focus on what is before me and not think about other scores.”
On the par-5 18th hole, Tommasini was around 200 yards from the green after his drive. There was water on the left and in front of the green and a missed shot could have cost him the tournament. He smashed an iron away from the water to the right side of the green. When he saw the ball flight heading to where he aimed, he said out loud, “Play it safe.”
He would par the hole and claim the title.
The sport of golf is new to Tommasini. He is from Oregon and never picked up a golf club because baseball was his love. When he moved to south Louisiana in 2018, he took up golf. He has been playing for less than five years. His baseball skills have helped make him a good golfer, he said.
“Baseball has helped me a lot, especially with hand and eye coordination,” he said. “Also, the golf ball is not moving 95 miles per hour like a baseball. You are hitting a stationary ball.
“In baseball, you are playing against someone who can throw the baseball anywhere he can. But in golf, you are playing against yourself. I play against myself the best that I can.”
That style of golf helped him win the club championship.
For the victory, he won a glass cup trophy and now has a specific parking spot at the club for the year.

Top 3 in Each Flight
Here are the top three finishers of each flight at the Southern Oaks Country Club Members Championship Golf Tournament played Saturday and Sunday.

Championship Flight

1. John Tommasini - 139 (68-71)
2. Aaron David - 142 (72-70)
3. Ryan Mayard - 144 (72-72)

First Flight
1. Les Bradley 153 (76-77)
2. Jonathan Faulk -157 (78-79)
(tie) 3. Cole Delcambre - 160 (73-87)
3. Drake Broussard - 160 (80-80)

Second Flight
1. Garrett Becker - 160 (75-85)
2. Alec Broussard - 161 (85-76)
3. Brennan Gallet - 170 (84-86)

Third Flight
1. Titus Pillette - 188 (96-92)
2. Jacob David - 192 (102-89)
3. Emile Chiasson - 193 (96-97)

Senior Flight
1. Brent Eckert - 158 (78-80)
2. J.P. Kolb - 167 (83-84)
3. Kirk Mitchell - 176 (91-85)

Super Senior Flight
1. Weston Reed - 159 (73-86)
2. Randal Falgout - 160 (80-80)
3. Johnny Hollier - 165 (82-83)

Legends Flight
1. Scott Hollier - 155 (78-77)
2. Ricky Broussard - 164 (80-84)
3. John Reed - 190 (97-93)

Junior Flight
1. Christopher Cain - 144 (72-72)
2. Phillip Summers - 151 (74-77)
3. Kaine Stevens - 165 (83-82)