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February 15, 2009
Like so many residents of the Big Easy, the members of the UNO men's golf team were forced to evacuate the city when Hurricane Katrina swept through, spending the fall semester of 2005 on the LSU-Shreveport campus. Unlike so many others, though, the experience hardly had an adverse effect.
"We actually just conducted business as usual," Privateers coach Chris McCarter told me this week. "We didn't miss one of our tournaments. We had a lot of driving to do, but it was business as usual and the guys performed admirably."
There was a time, pre-Katrina, when "performing admirably" didn't translate into admirable results for UNO. In 2003-04, McCarter's first season at the helm, the squad finished 29 shots behind the second-to-last place team in the Sun Belt Conference tournament. "We were almost in our own category," the coach says now with a laugh. "We had last place sewn up early."
Despite brief struggles trying to recruit players to the New Orleans area, McCarter has turned the program around in recent years. In that 2005-06 season, much of which was spent displaced by the hurricane, the Privateers finished 2 strokes out of first place at the conference tournament. One year later, the team missed by just 1 stroke, then unbelievably, unimaginably matched that result the next season, too.
Perhaps this will finally be the year UNO breaks through for the elusive victory. The team closed the fall part of its season with a pair of victories and this past week it hosted a tournament for the first time since before Hurricane Katrina.
Held at the team's home course of TPC-Louisiana -- which also plays host to the PGA Tour's Zurich Classic -- the Mardi Gras Invitational featured 15 teams. After Monday's opening 36 holes, though, UNO found itself in fifth place, 10 strokes behind leading Southeastern Louisiana.
"I felt we played just about as bad as we could have. Even though it was our home course, it didn't look like it," McCarter said. "But I also looked at the teams that were ahead of us and I thought we could beat 'em."
Turns out, the coach has a little bit of soothsayer in him. Led by sophomore and eventual medalist Ken Looper -- who shot a final-round 68, the only closing sub-70 total of the day -- the Privateers finished 12 shots better than any other team Tuesday, winning the event by 4 strokes.
And the good news doesn't end there.
The UNO program is already planning to make the Mardi Gras Invitational an annual event -- and McCarter doesn't see a reason why it can't be one of the top tourneys in the country within a few years. "Why wouldn't it? It's a PGA course. It's very challenging. It's around Mardi Gras, which is an interesting time down here, and New Orleans is one of the great cities of the world," McCarter said. "I must be missing something if that isn't an exciting place to bring your team for a tournament."
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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.
Avondale
 The PGA TOUR announced today that the TPC Louisiana will once again host the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the next two years, following a one-year hiatus. The Club, which sustained significant damage from Hurricane Katrina, is scheduled to reopen to the public on Saturday, July 15. The announcement was made by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.
"We are excited about reopening the TPC Louisiana and look forward to working with Zurich Financial to make the 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans an outstanding success," said Finchem. "Most importantly, we look forward to continuing to support the exceptional philanthropic efforts of the Fore!Kids Foundation, which annually benefits more than 100,000 children in the greater New Orleans area."
James J. Schiro, CEO of Zurich Financial Services, added, "Everyone involved with the Zurich Classic of New Orleans is excited about the reopening of the Club and the return of the tournament to the TPC Louisiana. This signifies another step on the road to recovery for New Orleans and we look forward to another exciting tournament in 2007."
Named by Golf Digest the "No. 4 Best Upscale Public Golf Course" when it opened in 2004, the TPC Louisiana became the new home for the PGA TOUR's Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2005, but was unable to host the event in April due to storm damage. The Zurich Classic instead was held at English Turn Country Club, the tournament's previous host site. Designed by world renowned golf course architect Pete Dye, with PGA TOUR players Steve Elkington and New Orleans native Kelly Gibson serving as player consultants, the TPC Louisiana was already undergoing competitive enhancements when the storm hit last August.
In addition to announcing the return of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans to the TPC Louisiana, the PGA TOUR Policy Board approved a series of competitive enhancements at the TPC Louisiana designed to dramatically improve both the strategic presentation and aesthetics of the golf course.
Initial work will center upon enhancing the drama and visual appeal of hole 9 and finishing holes 16, 17 and 18. Among others, improvements will include the modification of numerous tee angles and heights to improve sightlines from the tees, hole variety improvements from the standpoint of length, hole strategy and landscape aesthetics, and the redesign of numerous bunkers to better test players' accuracy off the tee shot and provide for greater risk/reward. Significant landscaping improvements will further improve the visual interest of the course.
Planned improvements are expected to be well-received by Zurich Classic of New Orleans competitors when the tournament returns to the TPC Louisiana in April 2007. The only PGA TOUR event in the state of Louisiana, the Zurich Classic generates more than $25 million annually for the local economy. The tournament also serves as the pinnacle fundraising vehicle for the Fore!Kids Foundation, a New Orleans based non-profit organization that has provided more than $13 million in funding to local and regional children's charities.
"We are thrilled that the Zurich Classic of New Orleans will be returning to the TPC Louisiana and look forward to working with the PGA TOUR and Zurich Financial to show that the city of New Orleans is not only back on track, but poised to once again claim its place as one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the world," said Fore!Kids Foundation Chairman of the Board Mike Rodrigue.
"The reopening of the 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.
PGA TOUR Commissioner Finchem added, "We are very appreciative for the considerable support we have received from the State of Louisiana and are indebted to the exceptional team at English Turn for the great event they produced this year."
Avondale
He won't admit it, but Tournament Players Club of Louisiana head golf professional Luke Farabaugh is a hero in every sense of the word.
For the many local youths to whom he devotes his time teaching the game of golf and the many positive life skills learned through the game, Farabaugh offers a positive, healthy alternative that helps keep some kids out of the rough and offers others a chance at college scholarships. And for one very lucky patron of the TPC of Louisiana, Farabaugh is, literally, a lifesaver.
On Feb. 3, 2005, as golfers stepped off a bus on their way to a golf outing at the course, Jerry Grafdal of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada had a heart attack and collapsed. Within minutes, Farabaugh had secured the perimeter around Mr. Grafdal, instructed an assistant to call 911, and -- armed with an oxygen tank/mask and a defibrillator -- began administering oxygen and successfully stabilized him. He was then taken by ambulance to West Jefferson Medical Center, where he suffered another heart attack. Fortunately, with medical personnel around, he was quickly attended to. According to hospital personnel, Farabaugh's fast response was key to Mr. Grafdal's recovery.
"I am indebted to Luke and his associates at the TPC of Louisiana for the extraordinary care and attention they gave me," said Grafdal. "I am also very thankful for the fine medical care I received in the U.S."
As do all of the Tournament Players Clubs across the country, the TPC of Louisiana keeps a defibrillator on hand at all times and trains employees annually on the proper use of the equipment.
Farabaugh's effort to save Mr. Grafdal is just one of the many ways in which he gives back. Farabaugh's service to the community has earned the New Orleans native and Class A PGA member numerous awards. He was recently honored with his second TPC Network Award for Best Area-Wide Junior Golf Clinic after hosting more than 1,500 students from the Jefferson Parish School System at an inspiring motivational golf clinic at the TPC of Louisiana hosted by world-renowned paraplegic golfer Dennis Walters.
Farabaugh regularly conducts clinics for juniors and inner-city youths, and oversees a myriad of instructional and charitable programs for both juniors and adults.
"We are extremely proud of Luke and feel very fortunate to have him as a member of our team," says TPC of Louisiana General Manager Bill Delayo, Jr. "Luke's professionalism, leadership, poise under pressure and commitment to uphold the highest standards both as a member of the management team at the TPC of Louisiana and as a citizen, set a remarkable example for the entire golf industry. He truly cares about people, and it shows in his work here at the TPC of Louisiana and through his outstanding work in the community."
Home of the PGA TOUR's 2005 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the TPC of Louisiana's stunning layout was designed by renowned golf course architect Pete Dye, with PGA TOUR members Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson serving as player consultants. The course opened in April 2004, and has already become a classic. In January 2005, the course was named the No. 4 Upscale Public Golf Course in Golf Digest's annual listing of the best new facilities in America. Numerous other accolades have followed, including designation by Travel & Leisure Golf as one of the Best New Courses to Open in the United States in 2004. For more information on the TPC of Louisiana or to inquire about tournaments or group events, please call 866-665-2872.
Avondale
 The Tournament Players Club of Louisiana has been named the No. 4 Upscale Public Golf Course in Golf Digest Magazine's annual listing of best new facilities in America.
Designed by Pete Dye with input from PGA TOUR player consultants Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson, the golf course will serve as the new home for the PGA TOUR's Zurich Classic of New Orleans beginning in 2005, April 25 - May 1. It is viewed as an outstanding venue for professionals and amateurs alike.
"We're extremely pleased by the news of this recognition, which reinforces our belief that Pete Dye, Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson did a phenomenal job of designing a golf course that will serve its dual purpose of providing an outstanding venue for the tournament while giving our daily guests a memorable golf experience," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem.
Offering five sets of tees ranging from 5,200 yards to 7,600, the par-72 course is visually appealing, with special strategic nuances, but no gimmicks. It's straight-forward golf with Dye's special touches, including tiny, steep-faced bunkers in and around the fairways and challenging contouring around the greens.
The TPC of Louisiana opened in April 2004 as the 24th among the 25 Tournament Players Clubs, which are recognized throughout the industry for providing a consistently outstanding golf experience with the highest standards of customer service. The TPC Network dates back 25 years with direct links between the TPC of Louisiana and the original TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Dye was the architect for the original Stadium Course at Sawgrass, considered one of the finest courses in the world and the annual home of THE PLAYERS Championship. Moreover, he was given a similar low-lying tract of land with which to work.
Dye has become a master of designing great courses on low, untamed property. The same held true for another highly acclaimed Dye course, Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, S.C., which hosts the TOUR's MCI Heritage. Comparisons already are being made between the TPC of Louisiana and the TPC at Sawgrass and Harbour Town.
"There's already a groundswell on TOUR of the people who have heard how good this course is," Elkington said. "It has a footprint not much different from the TPC [at Sawgrass] or Hilton Head. When you come to a course like this, with that kind of reputation, I think ball-striking is going to be a premium here."
The finished product is a source of pride for many, for it truly took a cumulative effort to get it done. It was developed as a joint venture between affiliates of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties and Marrero Land and Improvement Association, Limited, a real estate developer on the Westbank of the Mississippi River. The State of Louisiana provided partial funding for the project. Others that were instrumental in the project development include First Union Bank & Trust, the New Orleans Fire Fighters Pension and, of course, the ForeKids! Foundation, which produces the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
"The collaborative effort of Pete Dye and the PGA TOUR created very high expectations among everyone involved in this project. The 'Best New Course' designation puts the TPC of Louisiana on the short list of places to play in America and confirms we are on the right track to creating a golf destination in New Orleans," said Bill Delayo, general manager and director of golf at the TPC of Louisiana. "The entire team here at the TPC of Louisiana is very proud of this accomplishment and we will continue to work tirelessly to uphold the highest standards of excellence upon which the TPC Network was founded."
For tee times or to set up tournaments or group events, contact our Marketing Director at
1-866-NOLA-TPC.
Avondale
 The Tournament Players Club network was born in a swamp with the development of the TPC at Sawgrass in 1980 and has become an unswerving symbol of excellence in golf course development. Little wonder then that there were great expectations for another relatively flat site, the TPC of Louisiana.
Situated on 250 acres across the Mississippi River from New Orleans, the TPC of Louisiana was designed by a man who knows how to turn a site with limited topography into a beautiful and compelling test of golf. Pete Dye, who created the flagship layout for the PGA TOUR, the TPC at Sawgrass, was called on again for another challenge.
The TPC of Louisiana is now host of the PGA TOUR event, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
"Mr. Finchem asked me to do this, and I think I know why," Dye says, starting to chuckle. "He finds a flat site and then he calls me. But I appreciate the confidence he has in me, and, what the heck, I still love digging in the dirt.
Dye worked in conjunction with Steve Elkington and Louisiana native Kelly Gibson, both TOUR players, to create a 7,300-yard, par-72 golf course that sits low on the property and utilizes natural vegetation, including numerous cypress trees. One of the most attractive features to the property is that it's self-contained, surrounded on three sides by drainage canals.
"It's an engineering exercise and a design exercise that Pete Dye has experience with and has been successful with," says John Hugghins, national director of golf operations for Tournament Players Clubs. "The site is similar to Sawgrass, so that's a challenge, yet Pete's approach is about simplicity and I think that's going to come out in the design. Then you have the privacy factor by the natural landscape. It's going to be like a private nature preserve."
Dye, working on his third TPC course (the other is the TPC of Virginia Beach, which opened in 2000), built relatively flat and small greens -- no more than 5,000 square feet. Because of the modest green complexes, the bunkers were set off from the putting surfaces with chipping areas between.
"We don't want the bunkers right up against the greens," he says. "We want to have a different look, maybe a little optical illusion, and a different strategy to the holes."
In addition, Dye installed numerous waste bunkers. Some 20 acres of the 80-plus acres of playing area were covered in sand. The water hazards had to be created.
The course offers four sets of tees, and even though the championship course stretches to 7,300 yards from the championship tees, Dye is pleased about a collection of short but challenging par-4 holes that complement some of the longer ones.
"We've got some pretty nice, short par 4s that are really going to be the heart of the golf course," he said.
Hugghins believes that the New Orleans community will take the TPC course to heart. "There hasn't been an upscale golf course there in a number of years," he says. "The response from the folks in New Orleans has been strong. They're looking for good golf and we're going to deliver that to them."
Avondale
 Pete Dye has never had any qualms about taking risks, infusing new ideas into classical design concepts, or building some of the most startling, intriguing and difficult golf courses in modern design. Because of this adventurous spirit, Dye is considered in many circles to be the most influential course architect in the last 50 years.
Dye, whose ideas have been tempered by sound strategic guidance from his wife, Alice, an accomplished amateur player, enjoyed a successful insurance practice in central Indiana before finding his true calling as a course designer.
Seldom working from set plans or elaborate blueprints, Dye sculpted his visions with a hands-on approach that has increasingly come into vogue in recent years. Especially in the early design days, Dye was not averse to hopping on a bulldozer to attain the kinds of features he sought for his courses.
Though viewed as a maverick with a penchant for stirring controversy - the byword for his work is "Dye-abolical" - Dye's philosophies are grounded in the old-style concepts. A month-long trip to Scotland, golf's home country, in 1963 influenced his work significantly. There Pete and Alice discovered railroad ties shoring up bunkers, smallish greens with bold movement, tiny pot bunkers, sandy waste areas, and angular, rolling fairways guarded by strategically placed hazards.
Of course, practically all these features can be found on many of his courses, including his most recent design, the Tournament Players Club of Louisiana. The man who designed the flagship layout for the PGA TOUR - the TPC at Sawgrass - has been called upon again to turn a site with limited topography into a beautiful and compelling test of golf.
Dye built relatively flat and small greens -- no more than 5,000 square feet. Because of the modest green complexes, bunkers were set off from the putting surfaces with chipping areas between.
In addition, Dye installed numerous waste bunkers. Some 20 acres of the 80-plus acres of playing area are covered in sand. The water hazards that exist have been created.
The course offers four sets of tees, and even though the championship course stretches to 7,300 yards from the championship tees, Dye is pleased about a collection of short but challenging par-4 holes that mesh nicely with some of the longer ones.
"We've got some pretty nice, short par 4s that are really going to be the heart of the golf course," he said.
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