Lakewood GC
New Orleans, LA
Nearest public track to French Quarter
Hosted PGA Tour for 26 years
Less than 5 miles from downtown
Best Bar Nearby: Assuming you're staying in The Big Easy, it's not like you can go wrong in Satan's lair. Everyone knows to head to Bourbon St. Pat O'Brien's (718 St Peter St) is famous for Hurricanes and has some great New Orleans ambiance with a nice outdoor courtyard. But I liked John's Open Door Saloon on Bourbon Street, live blues and the best Hurricanes (WARNING: 6 IS TOO MANY!!!). OR, per US Air Attache' magazine, hit Mid City Bowling Lanes (aka The Rock-'n-Bowl, 4133 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, 504-482-3133) for 18 lanes of crashing pins New-Orleans-style, with blistering live blues, and a hoppin' dance floor. Travel Channel says LaFitte's Blacksmith Shop (914 Bourbon St) is the Best Dive Bar in The Big Easy, and possibly the longest continually serving bar in the country. Take in the Old World ambience in this shack, rumored to be a hideout of the famous pirate LaFitte. They've never bothered with modern day conveniences like electric lights; nighttime brings candlelight as the only lighting. With debauchery being the order of the day, you'll want to end your evening at Rick's Cabaret.
For grub on the company's dime, the famed Emeril's does 3 seatings per night, but reservations are hard to come by. Call months in advance if Emeril's is on your Must Eat list. Commander's Palace (1403 Washington Ave.), where Emeril perfected his Cajun touch, is one of The Big Easy's oldest grand places to eat. Great filet, awesome jumbo Shrimp apps, unbelievable desserts. Features an open kitchen with a bar inside the kitchen. A classic place to wait for a table. OR, Philly Metro Paper says it's a Big Easy tradition for upper crust families to treat their sons and daughters to a 16th birthday celebration at Galatoire's for the famous trout meuniere amandine ($16), "one of the simple joys of Creole cuisine." OR, Playboy named Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse one of the 10 Best Steakhouses in America. Owned by the same family that has Commander's Palace, Dickie's doesn't skimp on ingredients or portions. Everything they serve gets the creole touch. Here in the subterranean dining room decked out with swords and rifles, the strip steaks aren't grilled or broiled- they're slapped onto red-hot cast-iron skillets and seared to give them a delicious crust. Sip a Sazerac cocktail in the masculine bar up front, then order fried oysters, a robust Rhone wine, and a thick Porterhouse. Or try the mixed grill of andouille sausage, filet mignon, or chicken and pork tenderloin served with 2 sauces and lyonnaise potatoes on the side. A bananas Foster bread pudding with a rum-raisin creme anglaise and a snifter of Maker's Mark bourbon is the perfect capper.
OR, if you're on your own wallet and want true Cajun, try Mulate's, 201 Julia St across from the Convention Center. Great family-style cajun restaurant, try the Crawfish Etoufee. Live cajun music nightly at 19:30. For quick sandwiches, try the Home of original Mouffalotta sandwich-- foccia bread, ham, salami, and olive salad dressing at Central Grocery Co. on Decautur St. The Food Network recommends the authentic Cajun cuisine at K Paul's, but leave plenty of extra time to deal with the line to get in.
What To Read Before You Go: Horny? New Orleans by Ian McNulty. Self-explanatory.