BROUSSARD – The Chitimacha Louisiana Open returns to Le Triomphe Golf & Country Club for its 21st renewal March 19-25, but before that it will stage its opening event at golf courses across Acadiana during March.

The Cypress Bayou Casino $1 Million Hole-In-One Shootout returns to provide local golfers the chance to hit one shot for a $1 million prize prior to the start of Open play. The event includes qualifying at six different courses in the area along with the addition this year of a qualifying opportunity on a golf simulator at The Golf Connection retail center.

The Open's traditional kickoff event will benefit the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) and will begin qualifying on Friday, March 2, on the 10th hole at Hebert Municipal. Qualifying will also be held on Saturday, March 3, at The Farm d'Allie, on Friday, March 9, at Oakbourne Country Club (members and guests only), on Saturday, March 10, at The Wetlands, and on Sunday, March 11, at Les Vieux Chenes.

The final weekend of qualifying will be held Friday-Saturday, March 16-17, at Le Triomphe, with the finals scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 18, at Le Triomphe's 8th hole where qualifiers will be shooting at the $1 million prize.

Until two years ago, all qualifying was staged at Le Triomphe, the home site of the $500,000 Nationwide Tour event. Holding the qualifying rounds at a total of six courses has made participation more convenient for local golfers, while keeping the final weekend of qualifying at the Louisiana Open's primary site.

Qualifying is held on a par-three hole at each course, allowing players to take part and qualify during their regular rounds. On the designated days at each course, players may make a $5 donation and their distance from the hole on their tee shot will be measured. The closest five shots each day advance to the $1 million finals.

On the final Friday and Saturday, a target green will be set up in front of the Le Triomphe main gate just off U.S. Highway 90, and players may take as many shots as they desire at $1 per ball. No pre-registration is required, and the four closest shots to the target each day will also advance to the finals. Qualifying will also be held on the 8th hole at Le Triomphe during play on Saturday, March 17.

In a new feature this year, four days of qualifying will be staged on a PGA Tour Simulator at The Golf Connection store on Pinhook Road. Qualifying will be held from 4-6 p.m. each day from Monday-Thursday, March 12-15, and the five closest shots to the simulated hole during the week will also earn spots in the finals.

Players may also secure an automatic spot in the finals with a $100 contribution, which may be made at the qualifying locations or sent directly to the Chitimacha Louisiana Open, 124 Heymann Blvd. Suite 105, Lafayette, LA 70503.

This year's Hole-In-One Shootout is being conducted by and benefits the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), one of the organizations under the Krewe Des Chiens umbrella. ARF is an all-volunteer non-profit animal rescue and adoption group dedicated to improving the lives and welfare of homeless dogs. More information on ARF is available online at www.arf-la.org.

Donations to ARF are part of the Louisiana Open's charity program which has generated almost $4 million for local and regional charities and youth groups since the tournament's inception. Information on the Open and its charity programs is available online at www.laopen.com.

CYPRESS BAYOU CASINO $1 MILLION HOLE-IN-ONE QUALIFYING DATES (times approximate)

Fri., March 2 – Hebert Municipal, 10th hole

Sat., March 3 – Farm d'Allie, 7th hole

Fri., March 9 – Oakbourne, 9th hole

Sat., March 10 – The Wetlands, 8th hole

Sun., March 11 – Les Vieux Chenes, 3rd hole

Fri., March 16 – Le Triomphe, front field, noon-6 p.m.

Sat., March 17 – Le Triomphe, 8th hole, and front field, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Qualifying also at The Golf Connection store, Monday-Thursday, March 12-15, 4-6 p.m., on PGA Tour Simulator.

$1 MILLION FINALS

Sunday, March 17 – Le Triomphe Golf & Country Club, 8th hole, 3:30 p.m.

MORE INFORMATION:

Hole-In-One Shootout – Dan or Mary Beth McDonald, (337) 857-8754 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) – Nancy Tabb Marcantel, (337) 332-4756 or at www.arf-la.org,