TPC Louisiana - Zurich Classic

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29

TPC Louisiana

11001 Lapalco Blvd

Avondale, LA 70094

Zurich Classic website

TPC Louisiana website

Year Opened: 2005

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Golfing in the Bayous

The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is one of the more unique stops on the PGA Tour. Established in 1938, the tournament has evolved over the decades, attracting some of the best golfers to ever play the sport, with winners such as Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Vijay Singh, Bubba Watson and Rory McIlroy. In 2017 the Zurich Classic introduced its team format, making it the only PGA Tour event where players compete in pairs rather than individually.

The Zurich Classic has been played at several golf courses in the area, but in the spring of 2005 the tournament found a new home at TPC Louisiana, a Pete Dye-designed course located in Avondale, 20 miles southwest of New Orleans on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. This course was built through 250 acres of wetlands, offering a scenic layout that embodies the beauty of the Mississippi River Delta.

Bringing the PGA to the bayous of Louisiana has created a tournament unlike any other. The relaxed atmosphere, mixed with New Orleans’ signature energy, sets the Zurich Classic apart from more traditional stops on the tour. You’ll hear live bands, local musicians playing on stages, and second-line parades, and well as feel a party-like atmosphere that reflects the city’s love of celebration. The event embraces the laid-back, festive nature of New Orleans, making it one of the most enjoyable stops on the PGA calendar.

Food and Beverage   4

You can’t come to an event in New Orleans without talking about the food, and the Zurich Classic is no exception. The highlight of the culinary options here is the Best of Zurich Classic food option, set up on Hole 13; a covered area bringing some of the finest restaurants in New Orleans. Patrons can also taste dishes from esteemed New Orleans restaurants such as Galatoire’s, Emeril’s, Desi Vega’s Steakhouse, Jack Rose, Palace Café, and City Pork at the 18th Fairway Club, while over at the 17th Fairway Club, Acme Oyster House and Drago’s serve up their renowned seafood specialties. In addition, Patton’s Caterers, a tournament staple, delights guests with offerings like crawfish beignets, oysters, boudin, jambalaya and a local staple in Crawfish Monica. The Walk On’s Party Pavilion is also popular, featuring a covered pavilion overlooking the 17th Green and including Walk On’s signature items.

For the general admission ticket there are five concession stands scattered along the course – hamburgers, sausage dogs, and breakfast sandwiches round out this menu, along with a few items unique to the area such as muffaletta and crawfish mac n’cheese. Prices are reasonable, with every item costing $8. Coca-Cola is the official soft drink provider of the Zurich Classic, and the New Orleans institution PJ’s Coffee provides coffee, tea, and lemonade. For alcohol a wide selection of beer is on sale, as well as margaritas and glasses of wine, with prices ranging from $7-$12.

A few other food options in the general admission section include Jameson Courtyard between the 8th and 9th holes, a lively atmosphere with signature Jameson cocktails served with smoked pork cheek and pork belly boudin tacos. In addition, Tito’s Golf Club on Hole 18 features an air-conditioned bar with Tito’s signature cocktails, and Skrewball Lounge serves up peanut butter whiskey, while Hoop Tea Lounge offers samples of their new Hoop Tea – needless to say there is a wide alcohol selection at the Zurich Classic.

Atmosphere   5

The golf course here is built in the middle of the swamp, surrounded by cypress and mangrove trees. Attending the Zurich Classic feels like being dropped off in the middle of nowhere, and that’s part of the magic – the shuttle drops you off on the side of the road near a canal drainage ditch, which is the main entrance. Walk a couple of hundred yards down the canal and you’ll enter onto Hole 3; you’ll see a ton of alligators in the canal before you even step foot on the course.

The team format adds a different energy to the event – instead of the typical silence and polite applause, the spirit of New Orleans is on full display even at a PGA event. You’ll hear loud cheers, second-line parades, and even live bands. While it doesn’t bring the pure chaos of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the Zurich Classic still brings a festive, friendly buzz that’s symbolic of New Orleans.

The course is also spread out and sprawling; crowds don’t feel crammed like they would at most PGA Tour stops. But you’ll also walk long distances between holes, and there isn’t a lot of places to get any shade on the course. The one plus is that you are below sea level, so you don’t have to worry about walking uphill.

Most of the fan zones and party areas are located around holes 17, 18, and 1 and some of the free admission party areas include the 19th Hole near Hole 1, a covered tent with a full-service bar and live bands that play throughout the day. Tito’s Golf Club has couch seating and big screen TV with a patio overlooking the bayou on Hole 17, with excellent views of the Hole 18 tee pads as well. Jameson Courtyard also has an outdoor bar area with courtyard-style seating on the Hole 9 fairway. The Manning Family Kid’s Zone has tons of games and mini golf for kids, as well as an autograph area for kids. Or, if you want to buy a car then you're in luck, because a local Lexus dealership had several different displays set up around the course where you can look at the latest models, and maybe even buy one.

Neighborhood   3

TPC Louisiana sits in the hardworking industrial town of Avondale, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, roughly 30 minutes southwest of downtown New Orleans. Avondale is a shipbuilding hub, home to many residents who work at the local shipyard. While New Orleans – just a short drive away – offers a vibrant nightlife and countless attractions, the West Bank and Avondale also have a few hidden gems worth exploring. However, you won’t find a lot of hotels or lodging in the area, so your best bet is to stay in New Orleans or Metairie.

A few local spots to check out in the area include Mosca’s, about 3 miles west of the course, a family-owned Italian eatery known for its Creole-Italian fusion dishes. This place has been serving up plates for 80 years – it looks like a dingy building on the side of the road, but reservations are highly recommended; also make sure you bring cash, as it’s cash only.

Just down the road from the course you will find Nola Motorsports Park, the largest auto racing facility in the New Orleans area. It features a 2.75-mile track with 16 turns and a 5,200-foot straightaway, along with one of the largest outdoor karting tracks in the country. The park hosts races throughout the year and also has a mini golf course that is a huge hit with families.

TPC Louisiana is also on the outlying bayous that make up Bayou Segnette State Park, where visitors can enjoy activities like boating, fishing, hiking, and camping, while spotting local wildlife such as alligators and bald eagles. The State Park is also popular with people camping here during Tournament Week. You’ll also find many area airboat tours out this way, if you want to go deeper into the Louisiana swamps.

Fans   4

In 2024 the tournament set an unofficial attendance record with over 116,000 spectators over four days, including a single-day record of more than 36,000 on Saturday. Taking place the same weekend as Jazz Fest may be for the best, as the Zurich Classic attracts the same crowd bringing that festive atmosphere; many of the patrons will spend a day at Jazz Fest and a day at the Zurich Classic during this weekend. Also, instead of dress attire like some golf events, here you’ll find patrons wearing Mardi Gras beads, drinking hurricane cocktails, and wearing crazy festival garb.

The Zurich Classic also attracts some of the biggest names in golf, so expect large crowds following some of the bigger-name golfers like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. The good news is the course is really spread out so you’ll have plenty of room to move around, even with a couple of thousand people standing around a hole watching Rory McIroy tee off.

Access   3

TPC Louisiana is located about 15 miles southwest of downtown New Orleans on the West Bank in the bayous. Coming from the French Quarter or downtown you would take the Crescent City Connection high rise bridge, over the Mississippi River using Highway 90 west through West Bank neighborhoods, shipyards, and sugar cane fields. Public Parking is at Nola Motorsports Park about a mile away from the course. Don’t expect a straightforward in an out experience if you show up in the late morning or during a weekend round, as traffic bottlenecks once you get close to Motorsports Park; it can often take 30 minutes just to move one mile when coming to or leaving the public parking.

Once you arrive, you’ll park here and then get on a bus to get shuttled to the golf course. It’s a short ride to the course, less than 5 minutes – the bus will drop you off at the end of a canal near a retention pond, where you cut through some woods and are then on the course.

Return on Investment   4

 Daily Grounds tickets are priced at $45, providing full access to the tournament with views of some of the best pairings in golf.

For fans seeking more, the ‘Best of the Zurich Classic’ package starts at $185 and includes access to high-end hospitality venues like the Fidelity Bank Fairway Clubs and Oasis. These locations feature all-inclusive food from New Orleans staples like Acme Oyster House, Drago’s, and Galatoire’s, plus open bars with local spirits.

The Walk-On’s Stadium Club, at $275, offers a luxury setting on a two-story deck between the 17th and 18th holes, with a climate-controlled lounge, signature Walk-On’s fare, and close proximity to players.

While the premium clubs come with a higher price tag, the value is undeniable given the quality of the food, drinks, and access. Fans looking to elevate their experience will find the cost well worth it, especially during a week when the Zurich Classic shares the spotlight with Jazz Fest just across town.

Extras   4

One extra for the number of alligators you’ll see at TPC Louisiana – it’s not uncommon to see multiple gators on the banks basking in the water hazards. A highlight every year is when an alligator disrupts play, like in 2024 when play was delayed 7 minutes while an alligator crossed in front of the tee pad.  One of the most notable alligators associated with the course is Tripod, a three-legged alligator that has become something of a local legend; Tripod is frequently seen near the 16th and 17th holes, and his presence has become a beloved aspect of the tournament experience. A sculpture honoring Tripod now stands near the 18th fairway, commemorating his place as the tournament’s official mascot.

One extra also for the unique team format of this tournament, since 2017 this being the only team tournament on the PGA Tour. Some of the past winners of the tournament include Rory McIroy, Bubba Watson, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III, and Jack Nicklaus.

Lastly, one extra for the Zurich Classic taking place on the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest, a.k.a. Jazz Fest – one of the largest music festivals in the country taking place at the same time as one of Golf’s biggest events, in one of the most vibrant cities in the country, is definitely only going to create a festive atmosphere.