The 31st annual Greater Slidell Golf Championship was a success as local golfers survived the relentless, unforgiving heat and battled the terrain of three different courses Friday through Sunday to put another event in the books.

Slidell’s Jack Abney secured his sixth consecutive title firing a three-day total of 209, seven under par as he edged out Dustin Deffes by five strokes. Mike Mims was third 73-75-73—221 followed by Corey Dupuy 80-75-75—230.

Abney, who also won the title in 1996, carded a one-over par 73 in Friday’s championship flight opening round at Oak Harbor Golf Club, followed by a 5 under par 67 Saturday at Pinewood Country Club, before registering a 69, 3 under in Sunday’s final round at Royal Golf Club.

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Abney, 35, said the difference in the Slidell City Tournament was Saturday’s back 9 at Pinewood, his home course.

“I hit it solid for three days. My ability to manage the course and keep the ball in play was important. I just didn’t want to do anything crazy,” Abney said.

Abney birdied 15 and 16 in Sunday’s final round to help secure the victory.

He said he was able to get in some rounds of golf prior to the tournament.

“I played in a scramble tournament a few weeks ago, which helped. I also played in the Pinewood Club Championship on Father’s Day weekend, shooting a 71 and 68 for a two-day total 139, 5 under par,” Abney added.

Abney credited Deffes, a Salmen High grad, with being an excellent player and a really nice young man.

“Kudos to Dustin. He was a joy to play with and is a quality individual,” Abney said.

Deffes shot rounds of 73, 73 and closed with a 68 (four under) on Sunday at Royal Golf Club.

Abney, a 1992 Slidell High grad and 1996 Tulane University graduate, who lettered three years as a Green Wave golfer, said he looks forward to playing in the Slidell City Championship.

Alan Black, 50, a Slidell lawyer, won the senior’s division (50 and over) with a three-day total of 231, including rounds of 77-78-76. He finished five strokes ahead of Dan O’Sullivan, 81-75-80—236 and Trenton Eversull, 81-82-73—236.

Black, who hadn’t competed in the city championship for the past 10 years, said it was a real challenge just trying to manage the heat.

“It was three-days of competing and most of us are not use to playing three consecutive days in extreme heat. The heat presented a real challenge for us. We just wanted to finish. The scores almost became irrelevant,” Black said.

“The constant stress of trying to hydrate yourself and just keep the ball in play made it a fight of attrition. I was blessed enough to come out with the lowest score and my health intact,” Black added.

Black, a member of Pinewood Country Club, said his first time out as a rookie competitor in the senior division was a good outing since he won and survived the terrible heat.

In the ladies competition, Virginia Cole won her third consecutive championship with a three-day total of 263 finishing 37 strokes ahead of Linda Bailey. Cole posted rounds of 87-91-85, while Bailey carded rounds of 102-101-97. Cole has competed in the tournament for the last five years.

Cole, the pro shop manager at Pinewood Country Club since Hurricane Katrina, said the heat was nearly unbearable.

“It was really hot, especially the first two days. You had to push fluids and be aware of the intense heat, “ Cole added.

Cole talked about what worked for her during the tournament.

“My driver was working well for me. I only missed three or four of my tee shots. I putted better at Pinewood because it is my home course. I generally shoot in the low 80s with a handicap of 11,” Cole added.

Cole credited James Leitz, the head golf professional at Pinewood Country Club, for his instruction helping her to victory.

“I owe the win to James for getting my game in gear,” Cole said.

Leitz said the tournament went well despite the heat.

“This year the heat was a little more than normal. That was somewhat of an issue, but the scores were pretty good. Our three winners Jack Abney, Alan Black and Virgina Cole played good golf. It was fun to watch,” Leitz said.

Leitz said the golfers enjoy having an opportunity to play three different courses in three days. “That’s what people do when on vacation.”

Leitz said the three golf courses work very well together putting on the annual tournament.

“The golf professionals are all great friends. It is really a coordinated effort to put this on at the three courses. It is definitely a team effort,” Leitz added.

Nick Lagrange won the first flight with the lowest net score of 219 finishing one stroke ahead of Jason Burns. He is a member at Royal Golf Club and Pinewood Country Club.

The second flight winner was Greg Spencer, a member of Royal Golf Club, with a net of 201, finishing one stroke ahead of Brian Calamari.