The southern part of the Louisiana Audubon Golf Trail is home to some of the most breathtaking distilleries, breweries, wineries, and golf courses in the United States. This region is known for its rich history and delicious cuisine.
Did someone mention “spirits”?
Should your trip begin in New Orleans, then a tour of the NOLA Distillery is simply a must: Nola Distillery, located in the heart of New Orleans, is a craft distillery dedicated to producing high-quality spirits using locally sourced ingredients. Founded by Jonathan and Lindsay Forester in 2015, Nola Distillery has quickly become a staple in the city’s growing craft distillery scene. Their flagship product, Nola Vodka, is made with Louisiana sugar cane and filtered through activated charcoal to create a smooth and clean taste. They also produce a variety of other spirits, including gin and rum. The distillery offers tours and tastings, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the distillation process and a chance to try their products.
Bayou Terrebonne Distillers in Houma, LA, is a family-owned craft distillery. They use locally sourced sugarcane molasses to produce premium spirits, including vodka, gin, and rum. Their signature product is the award-winning Rougaroux Rum, available in various flavors such as Praline, 13 Pennies, and Sugar Shine. The distillery offers tours and tastings, where visitors can learn about the distilling process and sample their delicious products.
Some would say that by natural and mysterious planning, there are many golf courses along the Audubon Trail designed to showcase the state’s natural beauty while providing challenging layouts for players of all levels. Minority Golf Magazine recently had an opportunity to play several of the top golf courses along the Audubon Golf Trail: TPC Louisiana, Farm D’Allie, Atchafalaya at Idlewild Mallard Golf Club, and the Island Golf Course in Plaquemines.
TPC Louisiana – in Avondale is an award-winning course was created by golf course architect and PGA Tour player Kelly Gibson, along with renowned architect Pete Dye. The TPC Louisiana course is a beautiful blend of traditional and modern styles, with unique features such as sandy waste areas and two island greens. This course is a favorite among professional golfers and has hosted the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, an annual PGA Tour event, since 2005. TPC Louisiana is home to memorable holes such as the par-5 18th with water in play for the entire right side of the fairway, and the signature par-3 17th, which features an island green surrounded by trouble.
For those who prefer a more historical setting, the Audubon Park Golf Course in New Orleans offers a classic 18-hole, par-62 course that dates back to 1898. Audubon Park features narrow fairways and challenging greens.
Atchafalaya at Idlewild – Patterson Located near Morgan City, Atchafalaya at Idlewild is a luxurious golf course designed by the internationally recognized golf course architect Robert von Hagge. This course is a par 72, 7,533-yard layout that features wide fairways and gentle, rolling greens. Some of the memorable holes on this course include the challenging par-3 8th hole that plays over a lake, and the par-5 11th hole, a risk-reward hole that features a unique split fairway, giving golfers two options to approach the green. The Atchafalaya at Idlewild is a beautiful course that both beginners and professionals will appreciate, especially with the wide fairways that encourage good ball-striking freedom.
Farm D’Allie – Lafayette Located in Lafayette, Farm D’Allie is a beautiful 18-hole golf course with a stunning layout. The course features many challenging holes requiring precision shots, with water coming into play on about 15 holes. One unique feature of this course is that the signature hole, number 18, that plays to a large island green. This hole can be tricky and requires an accurate shot from the fairway to avoid landing in the water. Overall, Farm D’Allie is a challenging and scenic course that will satisfy golfers of all skill levels.
Mallard Golf Club – Lake Charles Mallard Golf Club is located in Lake Charles, near Calcasieu Lake, making it a perfect location for fishing and golfing enthusiasts. The course has a more open “links” feel with challenging fairways and large greens. Playing at Mallard Golf Club is one of Louisiana’s more picturesque golfing experiences…
The pressure is on for those looking for a truly challenging course at the Island Country Club in Plaquemine. Known as the “Island Course” for its location on a small island in the middle of Bayou La.
Each of these courses offers its unique flavor of Louisiana golf, but they all share the common experience of immersing players in the region’s unique culture, delicious food, and history.
The Louisiana Audubon Golf Trail is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in fine dining, spirits, and golfing. “A worthy addition to any bucket list”.
