Chip Sullivan's Obituary
Chip Sullivan (Eugene Leo Sullivan III), PGA, passed away peacefully on March 20 2026, surrounded by his wife and children in Metairie, Louisiana.
Awaiting him on the first fairway in Heaven were his mother, Mary Patricia O’Grady Sullivan, father, Eugene “Gene” Leo Sullivan Jr, sister Kerry Anne Sullivan, dearest friend Edward “Hummel” Kilgore, and Father in Law/best friend/forever caddie, Tom Hall.
Left to carry on his legacy are his wife, Kari Hall Sullivan, daughters Kalley Darrshan Sullivan, Camryn Mary Sullivan, son, Colby Walker Sullivan, and sister and brother in law Doreen Sullivan and Jimmy Garcia. Additionally, Chip is loved and remembered by his cousin by marriage and #1 fan, Kevin Naniewicz, a Special Olympian multiple gold medalist in golf.
Chip was raised at Tchefuncta Country Club under the mentorship of Billy Walker, PGA. His first set of golf clubs came from Frank Mackel at City Park. Amazingly, his life led him full circle back to Bayou Oaks at City Park, where he last served as Head PGA Professional and proudly hosted the Mackel Cup.
He attended St. Paul’s High School where he was a LA State Junior Champ and a member of the St. Paul’s Athletic Hall of Fame. It was Chip’s belief that to be a well-rounded golf professional, you should not only possess exceptional business skills and the ability and desire to serve others, but also be an exceptional player in your own right. Living his mantra, Chip was a former PGA Tour player, an All-American college standout at the University of Mississippi, a member of the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame and a former Individual SEC Champion. Since turning professional, Sullivan won more than 80 mini tour and PGA sanctioned events including the PGA Professional National Championship at Sunriver, Oregon. He proudly played on two PGA Cup Teams and played in 6 PGA Championships. Most notably he finished tied for 31st in 2004 at Whistling Straits.
Even more impressive than his golfing career was his fierce love for his family. He was a loving, doting husband to Kari. He showed her an extraordinary life, and loved spending his time with her traveling, exploring, and introducing her to new places and people. He mostly loved their quiet talks in the evening at home.
Chip was a fiercely protective and supportive father to Kalley, Camryn, and Colby. He could always be counted on for random jokes and funny pictures in family group chats, hilarious phone calls and messages, and a lifetime of pranks and humor. He was always there for the ups and downs in their lives with encouragement and without judgement. He rallied each of them to boldly reach for their dreams, inspiring them to fly with their aspirations to the ends of the earth. He gave the family his everything. Chip had a zest for life, love, and endless laughter which was infectious and motivating to his family and all he touched.
A vivacious Celebration of life was held on Sunday, March 29 at Bayou Oaks in New Orleans, led by his lifetime mentor, James Leitz, PGA. Thank you to the staff at Bayou Oaks and the Bayou Oaks Foundation, especially Michael Rodrigue, for making the event a spectacular tribute to Chip.
Another dear friend, Robert Brown, C.E.O. of the Gulf States PGA, has set up a Go Fund Me account to assist the family with medical and living expenses. The link can be found here:
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