Lakewood Golf Club

Lakewood Golf Club: After being ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, the "rebirth of this legend" has further enhanced New Orleans' growing reputation as a great golf destination (and one of the most interesting and lively cities in North America).

The rebirth and complete course redesign included two fascinating features. With many hurricane damaged trees around the now quite open course, a wood-carver was commissioned to create life-like sculptures from some of the tree trunks. It's almost worth paying a green fee just to see these carvings ( ... amazing what an artist can do with a chain-saw).

After the hurricane, the new owners (the Fire Dept Pension Fund), put out the threat of the course's extinction, while putting into the new layout several flame-shaped, fiery-red bunkers. This signature bunkering is found at the par-5 1st and par-4 18th, while a Fleur-de-Lys and a Maltese Cross also feature in the bunker design.

Fairway-flanking sandy waste areas and several small ponds will also need to be avoided, not least at the par-3 17th, surrounded by water on three sides. New tree planting will help break-up the openness of this relatively flat and open course, adding to its overall look and challenge.

Housing is only found on one section of the course perimeter of this classic and well-maintained parkland course. Lakewood Country Club may have taken a battering in the mid-2000s, but it bounced back in fine style as Lakewood Gold Club.