Pro golfers look to cash in at Capital One Classic

Rob Bradley never signed up for anger management classes after playing golf at the Ellendale Country Club.

Nonetheless, he admits that the challenging fairways and putting greens on the 18-hole course can certainly try a person’s patience.

&#8220I’ve had frustrating days out there – more than I’d actually care to remember,” quipped Bradley, who works as the club’s director of golf. &#8220But overall, it’s a very rewarding place to play.”

Next week, more than 90 golfers will seek to be rewarded with a $100,000 purse at the Capital One Classic, which will make its return to Ellendale June 21 through 24 as the fourth stop of the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series.

Practice rounds tee off Monday and Tuesday, June 18 and 19, and a Pro-Am will precede the tournament on Wednesday, June 20.

The tournament is free to spectators.

&#8220It doesn’t matter if someone takes off to a big lead the first couple of days because the back nine of the course will always make it a tight tournament,” said Gary DeSerrano, president of the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series. &#8220That always makes it pretty fun to watch.”

DeSerrano expects 2006 Capital One champion Jaxon Brigman to return.

Brigman owned a commanding lead heading into the final round in 2006 but faltered on the front nine, enabling four other golfers to compete for the top spot on the leaderboard. He narrowly salvaged victory, however, with a birdie on Hole 18.

&#8220Jaxon is a quality player,” Bradley said. &#8220He’ll be the guy to beat.”

Bubba Watson beat out the field in 2005, when the tournament was known as the Hibernia Open.

&#8220Bubba is a good indication of the talent we get,” Bradley said. &#8220He went on to become a successful golfer on the PGA Tour. That’s the goal of everyone at this tournament – to get to the ‘big dance.’”

Capital One players enjoy coming to Ellendale because of its level of difficulty.

&#8220You have to work the ball both ways,” DeSerrano explained. &#8220You either have to draw it left or fade it right. There are some long, hard holes and some short-risk reward holes. It’s the combination of these things that set it (Ellendale) apart from other courses on the tour.”

Bradley believes the course captures the true ambiance and beauty of Louisiana.

&#8220I think it typifies the state in the sense that we have Spanish moss, oak trees, bayous and alligators,” he said. &#8220You know you’re playing golf in Louisiana when you play at Ellendale.”

The people, Bradley added, complete the experience.

&#8220Club members let players stay and eat at their homes,” he said. &#8220The players always say the people in Houma are the nicest they come across on the tour.”

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Children’s Coalition of the Bayou Region.

PGA regular Bubba Watson (left) won the Capital One Classic two years ago when the tournament was known as the Hibernia OPen. This year, more than 90 golfers will be competing for the $100,000 purse.