The LGA Mourns the Loss of Chip Sullivan
Louisiana Golf lost one of its best and brightest champions last week. Chip Sullivan passed away on Friday, March 20. He was 61.
Chip was the Head Golf Professional at Bayou Oaks at City Park in New Orleans. His golf career was incredible, and he was loved and admired by many. His positive impact on the game will live on for generations. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Chip was raised on the Northshore and attended St. Paul’s High School. He won the Louisiana Junior Amateur Championship in 1982 at Pinewood Country Club. He was an All-American college standout at the University of Mississippi, a former Individual SEC Champion, and a member of the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame.
Sullivan had a decorated professional career. He made PGA Tour starts spanning a quarter of a century, winning 80 mini tour and PGA sanctioned events. He won the 2007 PGA Professional Championship at Sunriver Resort in Bend, Oregon, with a 72-hole total of 6-under par 281. He also helped the American club pros win the 2007 PGA Cup over Great Britain & Ireland. He became the first reigning PGA Professional champion to compete in the Japan PGA Championship in 2008. He finished in a tie for 18th. During his time living in the Mid-Atlantic, he won the Maryland Open four times between 2002-08. Sullivan also finished runner-up at the State Open of Virginia four times between 2005-09, and he garnered low professional honors in ’04 and ’08. He claimed Middle Atlantic Section of the PGA of America (MAPGA) open player of the year honors in 1996, 2005, ’06 and ’12. Sullivan was inducted into the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.
Chip was always a tremendous supporter of the LGA and golf in our state. He was a player, a teacher, a mentor, and so much more. Golf was his life, and he was good at it. Chip will be dearly missed.
Chip Sullivans "19th tee" a celebration of life will be Sunday, March 29 at Bayou Oaks at City Park, 1040 Filmore Ave, New Orleans, LA, 1:00 PM shotgun start, golf attire. Please join us in celebrating the extraordinary life of PGA Professional National Champion Chip Sullivan, with an honorary start from PGA Gulf States Hall of Famer and Chip's lifetime mentor, James Leitz, followed by an afternoon of putting contests, storytelling, and Acme chargrilled oysters - just as Chip would want it.
November 27, 1964 - March 20, 2026
About the Louisiana Golf Association
The Louisiana Golf Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and growing the game of golf across Louisiana. Founded in 1920, the LGA conducts state championships, provides USGA Handicap Index® services, and supports players of all ages through initiatives like the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour.
Media Contact:
Maili Bartz
Director of Marketing & Communications
maili@lgagolf.org