For the second-straight season, a Vermilion Catholic golfer will play in the LHSAA champions tournament, as Eagle Nick Hollier earned a spot in the open-class competition.

The champions tournament is May 16 at Tamaka Trails in Marksville.

Hollier, 17, a junior at VC, shot 77-71 in the Division V state tournament at Links on the Bayou G.C. last week to get fifth place.

The 71 represented Hollier’s first-ever tournament round under par.

“I was on top of the world,” he said of his accomplishment. “It should be easier to do it again now that I’ve done it.”

When asked, Hollier said his result this season might be a stepping stone for his senior campaign, but that he was not looking so far ahead.

“Right now, I’m just worried about the champions tournament,” he said.

He said he enjoyed the experience of playing at Links on the Bayou, despite its difficulties.

“I liked it,” he said. “It was open; but, it was tight. There was long grass, a lot of water, but not a tree on the course.”

Fifth position is first alternate for the champions tourney, but when one of the golfers who finished in front of him dropped out, a spot opened for Hollier.

Last season, it was Hollier’s long-time friend and fellow Eagle Josh Wilson who earned a spot in the champions tourney. Wilson shot 77-78-155 to place 14th at state this year.

Hollier said he gives a lot of credit to Wilson for inspiration.

“I give Josh credit because we play every day and we never play with nothing on the line,” he said. “It helps with pressure. We always put something on the line. It keeps you focused.”

Hollier, who has played golf since he was four years old, also credited former VC golfer Dustin Bertrand and local Wes Wilkinson as mentors in his development.

“They’ve helped me out tremendously,” he said.

Hollier said he hopes to continue playing golf at the collegiate level after graduation next year, listing McNeese State and Nicholls State as possibilities.

“I don’t really want to go to a big school,” he said.

Hollier, the son of Brian and Elizabeth Hollier of Abbeville, plays most of his golf at Abbeville Country Club.

He said he still plays with his dad, who is limited to about one round a week due to injury, but mostly plays with Wilson.

“Even when we practice, something is on the line,” he said. “It helps. It might be a drink from the clubhouse or just 50 cents... It’s always something.”