TPC of Louisiana’s 17th hole to take centerstage at Zurich Classic of New Orleans once again

When you think of great par-3 holes, and 17th holes in golf in particular, you have what made renowned golf course architect Pete Dye a household name among golf enthusiasts.

The famous 17th at TPC Sawgrass will be challenging the PGA elite as it does every year in a couple of weeks at The Players Championship.  Last year, the par-3, 17th during the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits was a game changer. 

The 17th at TPC Louisiana stands tall among all of the challenging and beautiful par-3s on the PGA Tour. 

I predict this hole to produce triumph and heartbreak and even ultimately determine the 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans champion.

During a visit last week to TPC Louisiana, I met with Luke Farabaugh of the PGA, the General Manager at TPC Louisiana. You could feel the excitement in his voice.  “We have had a great spring weather season and the course is in the best condition it has ever been in since the tournament moved here in 2005,” boasted Farabaugh. “Golf course superintendent Robb Arnold (of the GCSAA) and his staff are top of their game.” 

The buzz is certainly sky-high at TPC Louisiana and much deserved.  Golf Digest Magazine just selected the Westwego course as one of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses.”  The only other TPC course selected is infamous Sawgrass.

It is wonderful seeing the TPC Louisiana design finally receiving this much-deserved attention earned through the work of Pete Dye, Kelly Gibson and Steve Elkington. 

The Zurich field is the best it has been in years with ten of the Top 50 in the World Rankings participating.  When you throw in the food from our Hall of Fame-caliber Restaurants plus the friendliest fans and volunteers in golf, we have the making for a great PGA event. 

In a day where a PGA Tour event no longer needs Tiger Woods in the field to be considered a success, New Orleans is getting its mojo back.  Let’s all get behind Louisiana’s greatest golf event. Oh, and do stop by #17 to savor its aesthetic beauty and the beast-like challenge it presents to the world’s best players. Remember you read it here.