• Oleolive awarded Small Business Innovation Research grant

Oleolive, a pre-clinical biotechnology company located in Shreveport, La., has been awarded a Phase II AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to continue its work on technology that aids in the care of trauma suffered by special operations warfighters in austere environments. This SBIR grant awarded through the Air Force’s AFWERX program allows companies to work with the Air Force in research and development, with the option for the Air Force to purchase the technology.

Oleolive first received a Phase I AFWERX SBIR grant in late 2019, designed to allow the company to develop a potential customer base through Air Force departments, which would further back the development of the technology.

This Phase II award, the fifth SBIR received by Oleolive in two years, will allow Oleolive to further test the product before bringing it before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval.

“We’ll collect all the data needed so we can approach the FDA to find the appropriate regulatory pathway to get our product to humans,” said Kiley Grant, CEO of Oleolive. “There is a great need for a product like this in the military.”

Oleolive’s patented technology is a powdered, platelet-rich plasma that researchers believe could be used for life-threatening hemorrhaging wounds incurred by soldiers in battlefields. Notably, the No. 1 reason for death for otherwise survivable injuries is blood loss. Operationally, the technology would take platelets from a soldier’s blood (plateletpheresis), turn it into a stable form, and then return it to the donor to carry in the field during dangerous military operations. Grant believes this technology could one day be developed into a “one size fits all” product for anyone involved in a trauma situation.

If Oleolive successfully completes Phase II of the grant, it will move to the final phase – a sole source contract to sell the product to the military.

“Oleolive is an example of what can happen when we have the programs, support and space to accommodate and retain the state’s brightest researchers and entrepreneurs. Having been in the academic research setting for collective decades, they are the best partners we could have to discover and commercialize technology developed within our universities in order to move that technology forward, whether through the Air Force’s AFWERX program or the private sector,” said Dave Smith, EAP executive director.

This award is the second AFWERX SBIR for Oleolive and the fourth awarded to EAP portfolio companies.

To learn more about Oleolive, please visit oleo.live.

• Troon selected to manage Southern Trace Country Club

Troon ® , a leader in club management, development and marketing, has been selected to manage Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport, La. Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon, will oversee golf, club, and food and beverage operations as well as golf course agronomy and membership marketing.

Established in 1988, Southern Trace Country Club features a beautiful Arthur Hillsdesigned golf course that plays through open meadows and a dense oak forest. The 7,015- yard golf course has appeared atop Golf Digest’s ranking of top courses in Louisiana several times. It has a proud history of hosting high-level professional and amateur tournaments, including the WEB.Com Tour’s Southern Open from 1990-2002, multiple state amateur championships and the AJGA David Toms Junior Invitational.

“Southern Trace Country Club is a beautiful property and has long been considered one of Louisiana’s top clubs,” said Rob DeMore, president, Troon Privé. “We’re excited to be on board and will immediately look to improve agronomic conditions, raise service levels and further enhance the member experience.”

In addition to an award-winning golf course, Southern Trace members also enjoy a host of club amenities, including eight tennis courts, a resort-style swimming pool complex and a fully-equipped fitness center. Arthur’s Bar and Grill overlooks the first hole, has two outdoor patios to dine al fresco and multiple televisions.

“We couldn’t be more impressed with Troon’s deep knowledge of every aspect of club and golf course management and the design process,” said Southern Trace Country Club Board President Steve Skrivanos. “Their track record at high-end facilities across the nation is unsurpassed.”

For more information on Southern Trace Country Club, visit www.SouthernTraceCC.com or call (318) 798-8300.

• The City Tennis Tournament Returns Aug. 4

After a hiatus of almost 10 years, the area’s annual City Tennis Tournament came roaring back in 2018. Three local tennis enthusiasts – Rick Holland, Todd Killen and Jeffrey Goodman – are the group responsible for reviving The City, and it seems clear the group’s instinct was spot-on. The City is a great, local tradition that people want to continue.

This year is different from 2018 and 2019 because of the COVID-19 outbreak. The City has implemented several new policies to ensure safety during this year’s tournament. The guidelines include enforced social distancing and no seating for spectators. Spectators are asked to bring their own chairs.

Here’s what you need to know if you come: The tournament will run from Aug. 4-9. All matches will be at Bossier Tennis Center. It will be family-friendly, and there will be no admission to the public. Matches will begin Tuesday-Friday at 5 p.m. and last until about 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matches will start at 8 a.m. and last until 5 or 6 p.m.

In terms of the highest level players, here’s what you can expect:

In the tradition of years past, this year’s City will feature a virtual who’s who of the most accomplished players in our area including the 2019 Singles Champion Claire Hammond, 2018 Singles Champion Anthony McMaster, the 2018 Singles Runner-Up Todd Killen, four-time State Champion John Gray Pou, former NSU standout Bianca Schulz and former member of nationallyranked Virginia Tech Ginger Lowdermilk Morris.

In addition to the players above, this year’s City will feature unique events like the Father/ Son Doubles and Mother/Daughter Doubles competitions.

Like last year’s City, this year’s City is for the entire tennis community – from people who have never played in a tournament before to current and former collegiate players and everything in between. A City Champion will be crowned in 25 different divisions.For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page, The City Championships.

Players can register at: https://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament. aspx?T=245340