Golf in the State of Louisiana
Louisiana, nicknamed the Pelican State, borders Arkansas, the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi and the Mississippi River, and Texas. Much of the state is covered by marshes and swamplands, home to many species of birdies. Other types of rare birdies can be found on the state’s 145 golf courses, 25 of which are in largest city New Orleans, 18 in capital city Baton Rouge,17 in Shreveport, 12 in Lafayette, Lake Charles with 8, and 7 apiece in Monroe and Houma.
Trails End Golf Course, located in Arcadia, “provides golfers great views and challenges”. The National Golf Club of Louisiana, Westlake, is renowned for its beauty, premium fairways and roughs, and large greens. TPC Louisiana, Avondale, an 18-hole championship public course designed by Pete Dye, is highly-ranked and is a PGA Tour property. Les Vieux Chenes Golf Course, Youngsville, offers golf for the whole family on its newly renovated 18-hole course. World-class but tranquil, Carter Plantation Golf Course, Springfield, is one of Louisiana’s top public courses.
Pros from Louisiana include David Toms, born in Monroe, who has won multiple PGA Tour events and has established a charitable foundation to help abused children. Miller Barber, born in Shreveport, has 1,297 Tour starts to his credit, a record. Hal Sutton, another Shreveport native, in 1983 was PGA player of the year. Meredith Duncan, from Shreveport, (there must be something in the water), had a successful amateur and pro career and now is part of the athletic program at C. E. Byrd High School, Shreveport. Born in Abbeville, Deb Richard grew up in Manhattan, Kansas and is a member of the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame. Jay Hebert, born on St. Martinville and brother Lionel, from Lafayette, both won the PGA Championship within 3 years of each other.