As part of a continuing series, we offer our first look into the fantastic GOLFING available throughout Central Louisiana. This issue takes you to OakWing Golf Club in Alexandria and Tamahka Hills Golf Club in Marskville. There are two insightful stories about the courses that are sure to intrigue and invite you to play a round or more!
TAMAHKA TRAILS GOLF CLUB ~ A GOLF COURSE WITH SOME TEETH …
Let’s start by learning a new word. “Tamahka” is the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal word for alligator. Tamahka Trails Golf Club is one of the wonderful amenities at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA, and believe me, this course has some bite.
Tamahka Trails winds its way through 230 acres of rolling terrain, majestic century-old trees, and a bevy of native wildlife. You’ll traverse creeks that wind their way through the property and encounter strategically placed hazards all designed to keep you honest and, ultimately, make you a better golfer.
The course has received many accolades, including “Top 10 Courses in Louisiana” in 2015 and 2016 by Golf Digest and a three-time host for U.S Open Qualifying. Tamahka Trails is also a proud member of Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail.
Tamahka Trails was designed by Lakeland, FL native, Steve Smyers, who has taken the natural contours of this unique piece of property and created one of the best public-access golf courses in Louisiana.
From the back tees, Tamahka Trails plays 7,019 yards to a par of 71 with a course rating of 73.4 and a slope of 138. In all, there are 5 sets of tees that will provide an enjoyable and memorable experience for the high handicapper while at the same time challenging the scratch golfer.
As far as a course classification, Tamahka Trails would be considered a resort course, but it’s not your typical resort course where you can just stand on the tee and bomb away. Steve Smyers has taken resort courses to a new level, where brains over brawn will yield better results. For the most part, the bunkers are penal; many are deep with steep faces that can be tough to play. The native grasses not only add to the look and feel of the course, but they can also prove to be a formidable hazard as well.
Keep it in the fairway and play to the center of each green and you’re sure to score well and have a great time.
The putting surfaces are incredible and well-undulated. There are several greens at Tamahka Trails where the green runs away from the golfer: you’ll want to do your best to be putting from below the hole so you’ll want to hit your approach shot a little past the hole.
The yardage book that Tamahka Trails provides you can be a valuable asset, especially if you’ve never played the course before. There are several blind shots and a few doglegs. There’s nothing worse than standing on the tee and not knowing where it goes or playing for a dogleg left that actually goes right.
There’s also a grid on the scorecard that can help you determine the best set of tees to play and enjoy your round.
The friendly, knowledgeable staff at Tamahka Trails wants your golf experience to be unique. Your daily greens fees include all the golf you can play, along with complimentary use of the entire practice facility and a yardage book.
After your round, head to the Tamahka Grill where you’ll only pay your score for your first beer. So that “98” you’re not so proud of gets you your first beer for less than a buck! That in itself can help make this the best golf experience you’ve had in a while! They also serve some delicious food. I highly recommend the Tamahka Black Oak Smoked Sausage, 1/4 lb. smoked sausage grilled to perfection and served with grilled peppers and onions. And you can’t go wrong when you build your own Tamahka Burger, a half-pound burger, served with lettuce, tomato, and onion on a toasted bun with your choice of a number of toppings.
Once you play it, Tamahka Trails Golf Club is a course you’ll want to come back to again and again.
According to General Manager and Director of Golf Kevin Michael, several renovations including a lot of re-bunkering have given the course a whole new look, come see! For more information or to book your next round at Tamahka Trails Golf Club, visit them online at www.tamahkatrails.com. Tamahka Trails Golf Club and Paragon Casino Resort is located on on LA Highway 1 in Marksville, Louisiana, within a short drive of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Alexandria.
About Tamahka Trails Golf Club: http://ow.ly/XNtY50FXPeo
Course Map | Hole by Hole: http://ow.ly/4l5d50FXPof
Visit our Website: http://www.tamahkatrails.com/