TPC Louisiana to re-open July 15 after post-Katrina restoration

AVONDALE

Less than one year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the PGA TOUR's TPC Louisiana in Avondale, home to the PGA TOUR's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, will reopen to the public on Saturday, July 15, 2006 following an extensive restoration project.

"The reopening of TPC Louisiana is further evidence that the greater New Orleans area is recovering from Hurricane Katrina. This world-class facility will provide an additional amenity for tourism growth," said Louisiana State Representative John A. Alario, Jr.

Designed by world renowned golf course architect Pete Dye with TOUR players Steve Elkington and New Orleans native Kelly Gibson serving as player consultants, TPC Louisiana's spectacular par-72, 7,520-yard championship layout sustained significant damage from Katrina, with widespread flooding and thousands of downed trees forcing the closure of the property. In all, more than 2,000 trees were lost, with 25-30 acres of fairway turf in need of repair. The course, which was named by Golf Digest the "No. 4 Best Upscale Public Golf Course" when it opened in 2004, was already undergoing competitive enhancements when the storm hit last August.

In the months that have followed, TPC Louisiana team, working in collaboration with the PGA TOUR and a team of superintendents from throughout TPC Network, has completely renovated the clubhouse and is well on the way to restoring the course to PGA TOUR standards. The course will also benefit from a number of competitive enhancements initiated by the TOUR designed to dramatically improve both the strategic presentation and aesthetics of the golf course - changes expected to please both local golfers and Zurich Classic of New Orleans competitors when the tournament returns to TPC Louisiana in April 2007.

During the renovation, many TPC Louisiana employees were relocated to other TPC properties in the region and nationally. A number of team members are already back at the property working to ensure a seamless and successful re-opening, including Head Golf Professional Luke Farabaugh, Food and Beverage Director Brent Baudier, Facility Engineer Paul Mayeaux and Director of Sales and Marketing Pam Vitrano-Buie, all Louisiana natives.

"We are thrilled to welcome local residents and TPC Louisiana staff members back to the Club on July 15 and extend our deepest appreciation for their continued patience and loyalty as we work to complete renovations of this outstanding amenity for the New Orleans community," said PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties Vice President of TPC Operations John Hugghins. "

To welcome local golfers back to the course, TPC Louisiana will be offering special Louisiana resident introductory rates of $75.00 on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and $55.00 weekdays from opening day on Saturday, July 15 through August 31, 2006. Five dollars from every round of golf purchased will be donated to the Fore!Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that annually assists more than 100,000 disadvantaged children in the greater New Orleans area. The Fore!Kids Foundation serves as host tournament organization for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, an event that generates more than $25 million annually for the local economy. To date, the Fore!Kids Foundation has provided more than $13 million in funding to local and regional children's charities.

TPC Louisiana is located at 11001 Lapalco Boulevard in Avondale, Louisiana. For more information, please call the Director of Sales & Marketing at (504) 436-8721.