December 1, 2022 — Lafayette, Louisiana
The Louisiana Golf Association (LGA) is pleased to announce its 2023 championship schedule. The LGA will once again conduct twelve Championships, in addition to eight Louisiana Amateur Championship Qualifiers. The LGA is an Allied Golf Association of the USGA, and as such, the governing body for amateur golf in Louisiana will conduct seven qualifiers on behalf of the USGA in 2023. “We are excited about our 2023 schedule and the quality venues we can provide our members with an opportunity to play,” said LGA Executive Director Logan Ray. “The schedule showcases premier LGA member clubs across the state that give back to the game by hosting our Championships, and we sincerely appreciate their support. The LGA is proud to provide first-class competitions for all golfers, and we look forward to welcoming everyone next season.” 2023 is sure to be a fantastic and memorable year for amateur golfers in the Bayou State.
The 2023 LGA championship calendar is highlighted by the 104th Louisiana Amateur Championship, to be conducted at Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport, July 20-23. Registration for the Amateur Championship will open April 1, with an entry deadline of Tuesday, June 6 at 5:00 PM. Southern Trace was originally designed by Arthur Hills in 1988 and has been among the highest rated courses in Louisiana for over 30 years. In 2022 Southern Trace completed a 4.2-million-dollar renovation led by golf course designer and Southern Trace member Jim Lipe. The renovation project included rebuilding all 18 greens and resurfacing with Mach One Bermuda grass; adding and eliminating tee boxes; reshaping fairways; and installing a new state-of-the-art irrigation system. Cart paths were repaired and rerouted, and retaining walls were reinforced, pressure washed and stained. Bridges were also added on holes 5 and 15 to accommodate walking and cart traffic. In addition, the Southern Trace Country Club agronomy team completed large drainage projects and cut tree canopies on several holes to increase playability and enhance the ability to grow healthy turf. The golf course will play to a par 72 at approximately 7,100 yards for the 104th Louisiana Amateur Championship, a stern but fair test. Southern Trace has always been a tremendous supporter of amateur golf and has hosted numerous LGA Championships. This will be the fifth time in its history to host the Louisiana Amateur Championship (1993, 1997, 2003 and 2013 previously). “Southern Trace Country Club is excited to host the 104th Louisiana Amateur Championship,” said Southern Trace Country Club Director of Golf Cameron Alford. “Our Membership proudly supports the growth of the game in Louisiana and are delighted to accommodate the event on our recently renovated championship style golf course. The changes to the course provide a challenge and we look forward to putting it to the test against the best players in Louisiana.”
The LGA will take the 95th Louisiana Women’s Amateur Championship to Ellendale Country Club in Houma, June 15-17. Ellendale Country Club opened in 1966 and was designed by Joe Finger. Since its opening, Ellendale has been a top tier facility for golf in southern Louisiana and has hosted many professional and amateur Championships. Ellendale is a par 72 and gives players a fantastic bayou golf feeling. Ellendale has its share of challenging holes, but it also has plenty of exciting holes that will provide the best female amateur golfers in Louisiana great match play opportunities. For the second consecutive year, the Louisiana Women’s Amateur Championship will be conducted at a course for the first time. Ellendale has been a tremendous supporter of the LGA and we are excited to be back in Houma.
Some other takeaways from the schedule release are:
Please note that the Louisiana Amateur Qualifiers and all USGA Qualifiers will be released in the coming weeks.
Click here to view full Men’s Championship Schedule.
Click here to view full Women’s Championship Schedule.