Big Easy Getaway

New Orleans is mostly known for its amazing food and party atmosphere, but this historic old city is also home to some fabulous golf courses.

On our recent trip, we teed it up at TPC Louisiana and Bayou Oaks South Course at City Park.

The NOPSI Hotel was home away from home for our three-day visit. Located in the Central Business District, less than a five-minute walk from Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, NOPSI Hotel is conveniently located near the action, while being just outside the hustle and bustle.

Built in the “Roaring Twenties”, the property has seen its share of changes over the years. NOPSI is an acronym for New Orleans Public Service, Inc., which ran the transit, electricity, and gas company in New Orleans. The entity moved from the building in 1980 and NOPSI later became known as Energy New Orleans. Many of the manhole covers throughout the city still include the NOPSI acronym.

The building was declared a historic landmark in 2011. In 2017, the NOPSI hotel opened. The finely appointed hotel continues to pay homage to the 1920s with its terrazzo floors, stone countertops, and 24-foot-high ceilings, and elegant furnishings.

TPC Louisiana, located in Avondale, is an easy 20-minute drive from the NOPSI.

The Pete Dye design, with consultation from PGA Professionals Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson, is part of the TPC Network of courses owned and operated by the PGA TOUR.

TPC Louisiana is home to the tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which has used a unique two-man team format since 2017. The popular duo of Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele won the event in 2022.

TPC Louisiana was named the #4 “Best Upscale Public Golf Course” by Golf Digest upon opening in 2004. It is consistently ranked among the best public golf courses in the southeast.

Pete Dye is known for his challenging layouts, and TPC Louisiana certainly is no pushover, but the course won’t beat you up, either. There are a limited number of forced carries, and most holes offer risk/reward options.

Dye’s philosophy was often to give the player a safe route and a riskier one. This is definitely the case at TPC Louisiana. The player willing to take a risk off the tee will often be rewarded with a shorter approach and better angle into the green. A tee shot to the wide side of the fairways often means a longer approach or one that may have to carry sand or water to reach the green.

TPC Louisiana is a part of the Audubon Golf Trail, a group of fine golf courses throughout the Pelican State. The course is set on more than 250 acres of wetlands along the Mississippi River Delta. You’ll have an opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife during the round, including a few alligators along the way.

The 24,000 square foot clubhouse includes a pro shop well-stocked with TPC logoed merchandise, dining room, luxury locker rooms, lounge facilities, and banquet areas.

The staff at TPC Louisiana, led by GM/Director of Golf Luke Farabaugh, is dedicated to making sure that each guest is treated to a great TPC experience. Rates start at just $89.00, which is a truly remarkable deal!

Make sure to visit tpc.com/louisiana to learn more about TPC Louisiana and to book your tee time!

Our next round was at Bayou Oak’s South Course at City Park. The course, owned and operated by the City of New Orleans, was an absolute joy to play! The course features wide fairways, elevated greens, and smooth-rolling greens. The course conditions were outstanding. The combination of great layout and excellent conditions quickly made it one of my favorite municipal tracks.

The two 18-hole City Park layouts were decimated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The new North Course opened in 2008. The South Course, designed by renowned course architect Rees Jones was ready for play in 2012.

Jones renovated both Bethpage Black and Torrey Pines South, courses which have hosted multiple major championships.

Bayou Oaks was a perfect compliment to our round the previous day at TPC Louisiana. They were both excellent courses and lots of fun to play!

Visit cityparkgolf.com to learn more about Bayou Oaks and schedule your round.

Before and after rounds our small group had a chance to take in some of the sites and tastes of New Orleans. Here’s a look at some of our experiences that I’d highly recommend:

Get An Eagle Eye’s Look at the Big Easy from Vue Orleans

Vue Orleans is a one-of-a-kind indoor and outdoor observation deck and cultural exhibit featuring the only 360-degree panoramic views of New Orleans and the Mississippi River.

Take in the sites from 34 stories up and get a rare look at the entire length of Canal Street, the traffic on the Mississippi River, and New Orleans’ many unique neighborhoods.

Vue Orleans also delivers a comprehensive history lesson on one of America’s most historic cities.

The attraction is open daily from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm daily. Tickets prices are $24.95 for adults, with discounts for seniors, children 12 and under, military and dependents, and college students.

Vue Orleans is the perfect place to begin your visit to New Orleans.

Cocktails at the Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons

Celebrate the rich history of New Orleans cocktail culture at the Four Season’s Chandelier Bar. Enjoy a classic cocktail, champagne by the glass, and expertly crafted small plates in an upscale yet comfortable setting.

Visit the Sazerac House

The Sazerac cocktail originated in New Orleans in the pre-Civil War era and continues to be served around the world. The Sazerac House pays tribute to the cocktail, as well as the culture and traditions of New Orleans. Make sure to check out the recipe on page 19.

Take in a tour, or meander in the immense gift shop to learn about the methods used to distill Sazerac Rye and how Peychaud’s Bitters are crafted.

Sazerac also produces such legendary favorites as Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Southern Comfort, and Meyer’s Rum.

Sazerac House is located at Canal & Magazine. Visit sazerachouse.com to learn more.

No visit to New Orleans is complete without experiencing the amazing cuisine. Our visit included a diverse group of restaurants that delight the taste buds and create memorable experiences.

Gianna is in the Warehouse District at the corner of Magazine and Girod. The rustic Italian fare is crafted with Louisiana techniques to deliver unique and memorable dishes in an upscale casual atmosphere.  Gianna was nominated as the Best New Restaurant in 2020 by the James Beard Foundation. Daily antipasti and small plate entrees are specialties, as are dishes featuring locally grown produce and fresh Gulf seafood.

Chef Donald Link creates traditional southern dishes with a Cajun flare at Cochon. Locally sourced pork, fresh produce, and seafood highlight the menu. Cochon is set in a renovated warehouse located at 930 Tchoupitoulas St.

The contemporary yet rustic setting is a perfect complement to the savory dishes you’re sure to enjoy!

Tableu is renowned restauranteur Dickie Brennan’s newest offering and is in the heart of the French Quarter near Jackson Square. Dishes are crafted using locally grown ingredients with a European influence. Tableu offers dining in the main dining room, courtyard, balcony, and Drawing Room lounge.

New Orleans offers a wide assortment of cultural and entertainment options. Make sure to include the Crescent City on your list of golf destinations and take in all that the Big Easy has to offer. TPC Louisiana is a mainstay on the PGA Tour for a reason. It is a fun and challenging course that players of all abilities can enjoy, as is Bayou Oaks at City Park.

Go to visitneworleans.com to learn more about what is happening in New Orleans and to begin planning your visit.