James Anstiss all smiles after Louisiana Amateur victory
(Louisiana Golf Association Photo)

"I (was) nervous all week," Anstiss told the Louisiana Golf Association. "Just sort of nervous jitters and I just wanted to really stick to my game plan and keep everything moving forward. I went out there and just played pretty solid and managed to stick to my game plan and make a few birdies."

In the final round at Carter Plantation, Anstiss, a first team All-Southland Conference performer this past year at Southeastern Louisiana, overcame an opening bogey to close out the championship. Anstiss got back to even-par for the day with a birdie on No. 5 and then carded two more on 7 and 10 before tallying one last bogey on 13.

"It means a whole lot to win (the Louisiana Amateur), I guess this is my home now," said Anstiss, originally from New Zealand. "And it is just a really cool place and I have met a lot of really nice people here so it is just great to be able to win the state amateur in my new home."

Throughout the entire tournament Anstiss was able to avoid the big numbers as he only dropped single shots on six of the 72-holes. Anstiss also carded 15 birdies.

On the final day, the closest any player got was when Hank Shaheen reached 7-under and was two behind for a short time. Shaheen ended up finishing in second place at 6-under. Patrick Christovich began the day two-strokes off the pace but was 1-over for the day and finished 5-under and in third.

Brandon Aydlett (-4) and Blake Caldwell (-3) were the only two other players to finish under-par in fourth and fifth place.

-The Louisiana Golf Association contributed to this story

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