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Louisiana Golf Association Releases 2023 Championship Schedule

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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:

  • The LGA is excited to take the 40th Louisiana Four-Ball Championship to the newly opened Mallard Golf Club in Lake Charles April 15-16. A Scottish links inspired golf course designed by Jeff Blume will test 96 of the best teams from across the state.
  • The 66th Louisiana Junior Amateur and the 58th Louisiana Girls’ Junior Amateur Championships will be conducted at Beaver Creek Golf Club in Zachary July 12-14. This will be the fourth Junior Amateur held at Beaver Creek and the first Girls’ Junior Amateur Championship. Beaver Creek will be in excellent condition for the top junior players across Louisiana.
  • The 31st Louisiana Mid-Amateur Championship presented by Coppola Wine will be conducted at Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette August 11-13. This will be the second time that Oakbourne has hosted this Championship in its storied history. There will be no local qualifying for the Mid-Amateur in 2023. Registration for the Championship will be first come first serve. Exempt players will have priority registration before open registration. Exempt players will be able to register beginning on May 1. Open registration will begin on June 1. A spot in the Championship will not be held for an exempt player if he does not sign up before June 1.
  • The Net Amateur Championship will return to Pelican Point Golf & Country Club August 19-20 for the first time since 2005. The first six Net Amateur Championships were conducted at Pelican Point and we are excited to return there for 24th edition of this Championship.
  • After conducting the Louisiana Women’s Mid-Amateur & Senior Amateur Championship simultaneously in 2022, the LGA will once again conduct these Championships together at OakWing Golf Club in Alexandria September 28-29. We saw tremendous support from our female participants and hope to continue to build off of that success moving forward.
  • There are three great Stay and Play opportunities in 2023 for LGA Championship participants. The 34th Louisiana Senior Amateur Championship will take place at Tamahka Trails Golf Course at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville April 27-29. The 22nd Louisiana Women’s Four-Ball Championship will be conducted at Koasati Pines at Coushatta Casino Resort September 9-10. The 36th Louisiana Senior Four-Ball Championship will be played at the newly renovated Cypress Bend Golf Course and Resort in Many, Louisiana October 14-15. The LGA will have room blocks set up at all of these fantastic resorts for Championship participants.

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.