Inside the course: TPC Louisiana

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A view of the 18th hole at TPC Louisiana

Apr. 25, 2011

The TOUR heads to The Big Easy for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Learn more about this week's host, TPC Louisiana.

Fast facts

Course Superintendent	Robb R. Arnold
Original architect	Pete Dye (2003)
Par value	72
Number of TOUR events as host venue	6 (including 2011)
Course ranking	Ranked 26 (out of 52) in difficulty on the PGA TOUR in 2010
Yardage history	7,520 (2005)
	7,341 (2007-present)
Grass	TifSport bermudagrass (tees, fairways, rough); Mini verde bermudagrass (greens)
Tournament Stimpmeter	11 ft
Sand bunkers	71
Water hazards	5
Course tour	Click here

Course record

Player
Kyle Reifers

Year
2007

Round
1st

Finish
T24

2010 Rankings

Most Difficult Hole

	The par-4 482-yard fourth One of the longer holes on the course, the 4th sets up for a fade off the tee to avoid a hazard on the right. This will leave players with a mid-to-long iron shot into the green that favors a left-to-right approach. Trees on the left took a hit during Katrina but still pose a problem. Beware of the deep pot bunkers left of the green, but don't short-side yourself if the hole location is on the right. 2010: 0 eagles, 35 birdies, 289 pars, 105 bogeys, 16 double bogeys, 5 others.
Easiest hole
	The par-5 561-yard seventh A fairly long par-5 requires a well-placed drive, avoiding the massive fairway bunker on the right and some pot bunkers on the left. A lay-up is prudent play as the fairway widens out to the right. Longer hitters must avoid the pot bunker to the left if they are trying to hit a smallish green in two. 2010: 7 eagles, 217 birdies, 202 pars, 22 bogeys, 2 double bogeys and 0 others.

TPC Louisiana			2010 rankings		Last 5 years
Hole	Par	Yards	Avg. Score	Rank	Avg. Score	Rank
1	4	399	3.993	11	3.950	12
2	5	548	4.733	16	4.718	17
3	3	221	3.169	4	3.156	7
04*	4	482	4.267	1	4.219	2
5	4	438	3.871	12	3.978	11
6	4	476	4.216	3	4.263	1
7	5	561	4.544	18	4.612	18
8	4	372	3.769	14	3.844	14
9	3	207	3.12	8	3.157	6
10	4	390	4.133	6	4.003	10
11	5	575	4.762	15	4.783	15
12	4	492	4.167	5	4.210	4
13	4	377	3.713	17	3.783	16
14	3	216	3.042	10	3.035	8
15	4	490	4.127	7	4.164	5
16	4	355	4.076	9	4.003	9
17	3	215	3.231	2	3.212	3
18	5	585	4.871	12	4.940	13

Course origins

The 2011 Zurich Classic of New Orleans will be the fifth event held at TPC Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina and the sixth event at TPC Louisiana since 2005. The course suffered severe damage during Katrina, but the hurricane did allow for several changes to be made on the course. The new areas debuted during the 2007 Zurich Classic. This is the 52nd anniversary of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and the fourth home of this storied PGA TOUR event.

The course is 7,520 yards long and a stern test for PGA TOUR players and guests. The course is designed to give players a good shot, but to also challenge their shot-making ability. The rough is not severe but there is plenty of trouble if players stray from the fairways. --Source: Golf Course Superintendents Assocation of America

Tournament course history

Course	Location	Years
City Park GC	New Orleans, La.	1938-1962
Lakewood CC	New Orleans, La.	1963-1988
English Turn G&CC	New Orleans, La.	1989-2004, 2006
TPC Louisiana	Avondale, La.	2005, 2007-present

This week's Kodak Challenge hole

HOLE: The par-3, 215-yard 17th at TPC Louisiana
LAST YEAR: The 17th played to a stroke average of 3.231, with players recording 0 eagles, 38 birdies, 301 pars, 85 bogeys, 22 double bogeys and 4 others
DESCRIPTION: After Hurricane Katrina, architect Pete Dye made some changes to TPC Louisiana. On the 17th hole, bunkers to the left were eliminated and replaced by bulkheading. The pot bunker on the right, however, remained the same. Par will be a great score on the newly-reshaped green. (Click here for tour)