By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — For Bonnie Dinvaut-Irving and her sisters, this time of year tends to be bittersweet.

In honor of their late father, the Rudolph G. Dinvaut Athletic Foundation’s annual golf tournament will be contested May 11 at Belle Terre Country Club.

The event has gained momentum over the last eight years, and Dinvaut-Irving expects this year’s field of players to be its largest to date.

The only thing that would make it better, she says, is if her father could see how successful the tournament he and his foundation established has become.

“We started this thing with him,” said Dinvaut-Irving. “It was his dream to be able to give back to the community. I wish he could be here to see how it’s grown.”

Rudolph Dinvaut passed away in 2009. He was well known as a highly accomplished high school football coach, leading West St. John for over 30 years dating back to when the school was known as Second Ward High School. He led the program to back to back state championships. Upon retiring from coaching, he became the school’s principal.

Above all, he loved sports and loved his community, and the golf tournament was one thing he helped establish to boost each. Proceeds from the tourney benefit WSJ athletics, scholarships and Rudolph G. Dinvaut Stadium.

Dinvaut-Irving said that when the tourney began, 30-40 players comprised the field. By 2011, that number jumped to 127. That number was slightly depressed due to some rainy weather — some who signed up did not attend, and had all who registered played, the number of players would have been 144.

“We’re anticipating more than that this year,” said Dinvaut-Irving. “We think this will be one of our biggest years.”

Ram alumni and current NFL stars Tyson Jackson and Quinn Johnson are serving as sponsors at the event, just as they did a year ago.

West St. John athletic director Robert Valdez said that having the two at the event is a boon for the tourney and the community.

“Kids around here know who they are and can relate to them,” said Valdez. “They see guys who came from where they’re from and the success they’ve made for themselves. A lot of guys forget where they come from, but these guys don’t.”

Historically, other well-known NFL veterans have played, such as former Saints standout Dalton Hilliard, LSU notable Charles Alexander and former Pittsburgh Steelers star and Reserve native Louis Lipps.

Valdez says he enjoys the tournament himself, but don’t look for him to pick up a club.

“I tried to play my first year … I was politely asked to stop,” Valdez chuckled. “It would cost too much to fix the damage I’d cause. It’s not my thing, so I voluntarily excused myself.”

Dinvaut-Irving said that the event’s tournament committee works tirelessly to make it a success. She also credited the event’s sponsors, volunteers, golfers and the community itself for making it’s success and rapid growth possible.

“It’s not about any one person. So many people work extremely hard to make this what it’s become,” she said.

Valdez added, “It’s a tremendous community effort, from the East Bank to the West Bank.”

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