November 16, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
It didn’t take Chris Arceneaux long to get some new youth golf programs going as the newly appointed Head Golf Pro at Jay & Lionel Herbert Memorial Golf Course in Lafayette, Louisiana. Arceneaux’s new role became effective on October 30 and was announced in a press release by the muni located just East of Highway 90, the public course is easy to find and easy to play.
Arceneaux brings over two decades of experience in the golf industry to the 18-hole course. A driven, family-oriented individual, he established a tenured career as well as a name for himself locally and around the nation.
During his times as Assistant Golf Professional at Cherry Valley Golf Club in New York and Quail Valley Club in Vero Beach, Florida Arceneaux was active as coordinator with the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, so it is no surprise that he is engaging with the youngsters in his new role.
(photo: contributed)
Arceneaux has hosted several business professional networking events and hopes to have monthly networking and business card exchange events at Muni. His nonprofit organization, the Darby Foundation, established a S.T.E.A.M.S. Academy in Freeport, NY and later Long Beach, NY. Arceneaux hopes to work with local organizations to establish an afterschool S.T.E.A.M.S. Academy mentoring program and a junior golf program at Muni.
“I’m so grateful and thankful God blessed me with this opportunity to return home closer to my mother and family after being in New York for 25 years,” said Arceneaux following the new position announcement. “I look forward to using all I’ve learned from others, as well as my experience as an Assistant Golf Pro in New York and Florida to help make an impact in the community through mentoring, internship, junior golf, and other programs for the next generation.”
Another program at the course to benefit youth is being developed in partnership with Generations Sports Golf Academy. The pilot program will introduce kids to golf.
Arceneaux proudly confirmed the scheduling of late-fall golf clinics which will be held at the venerable course over the final two months of the 2020 calendar year.
With my career focus being community, member relations, tournament management and junior golf, I am honored to have the opportunity to join this team and am committed to taking the Jay & Lionel Hebert Municipal Golf Course to the next level,” Arceneaux said. He was born and raised in Lafayette and resided across the street from Muni and says that is where his passion for golf first started.
Arceneaux is a graduate of Northside High School, where he played on the golf team, lettered and went to the golf state championship each year as the team captain. He later attended Southern University in Baton Rouge and USL in Lafayette before deciding to enter the PGA’s Professional Golf Management Program. Chris relocated to Brooklyn, New York in 1995 to live his dream working jobs in sales management and has over two decades of experiences, skills and accomplishments within the golf industry, including working relationships with PGA Head Pros at first class private country clubs and facilities.
I am thrilled to have such a professional and family oriented individual join our team! With Chris’ positive attitude, commitment to grow the game and industry expertise, I know he is going to be an excellent addition to our community,” states retiring Muni General Manager, Wayne Wills.
About Jay and Lionel Hebert Municipal Golf Course:
The course, located at 1121 Mudd Avenue in Lafayette, was originally built in 1926 and is the oldest course in Southern Louisiana. After undergoing a major renovation in 2010, it is now seen as “The New Course at an Old Location”. Muni features a 72 par, 18-hole, 6,426-yard course, a quality Pro Shop, and a restaurant. The course rating is 70.1 and it has a slope rating of 117 on Bermuda grass.
For more information visit or contact Jay & Lionel Herbert Memorial Golf Course at 337.291.5557 or reach Chris Arceneaux at chrisjapga@gmail.com
