FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Mary Mouton
504-261-4895
REBIRTH OF A LEGEND: LAKEWOOD GOLF COURSE TO OPEN
Celebration and Private Tourney Friday, Feb. 27 @ 11 a.m.
Public Play Begins Saturday, Feb. 28
February 11, 2009, New Orleans, LA - It is a true comeback story - the New Orleans Firefighters Pension Fund announced today it will open Lakewood Golf Course for public play on Saturday, February 28.
Golfers will be impressed with the new look and feel of the 18-hole, 7,000 yards, par 72 course which underwent a $9 million dollar redesign by renowned course architect Ron Garl. Lakewood has been closed since the summer of 2005, when renovations to the course began.
“Lakewood’s reopening is a tribute to the strength and resiliency of the people of New Orleans,” said Richard Hampton, CEO of the New Orleans Firefighters Pension Fund. “We began construction in July 2005 and never gave up on this project during the darkest days following Katrina. Words cannot express how proud we are to bring back this New Orleans legend.”
An official ribbon cutting and private tournament for members and guests will take place on Friday, February 27 beginning at 11 a.m. Members of the public can reserve tee times to play at Lakewood on Saturday, February 28 by calling 504-373-5926 one week in advance.
The golf course is the first phase of a master plan that will eventually include a club house, luxury hotel, condominium, golf villas, retirement center and conference center. The entire development represents a $200 million dollar investment by the Pension Fund.
Lakewood originally opened in 1961 and was home to 26 New Orleans Opens. In his design, Ron Garl said golfers will recognize some holes and love the challenges of the new ones. “We enhanced the golf course by adding strategy and unique bunkering. Options were added so golfers will have different ways to play the same hole based on wind or other conditions,” he said.
More fairway contouring enhances the cypress-laden course with 11 lakes, including a new one which crescents the 17th hole par 3. Players can’t miss the personal touches of the New Orleans Firefighters:
- A 430-yard “Fire in the Hole” sets a new standard for bunkers. The new 18th hole includes bunkers in the shape of flames set in red sand, a tribute to New Orleans Firefighters. It is the only one of its kind in the world.
- The Lakewood logo and the #8 sand bunker features the Maltese Cross, the firefighters’ badge of honor.
- A fleur-de-lis bunker accents hole #1.
Lakewood also offers a new short-game practice facility featuring five separate components plus a 25,000 square foot putting surface. Ron Garl’s short game facilities are widely acclaimed and are played by the pros, including Masters Champions Mike Weir and Zach Johnson.
Members may relax at a temporary club house, a 7,500 square foot facility equipped with a traditional golf grill. Groundbreaking on a permanent club house is expected in March with a completion date of 2011.
The course’s innovative features will reduce cost and improve operation. The new subsurface drainage system is state of the art and contains all runoff to the property. The system recycles all water into Lakewood’s eleven lakes.
The Lakewood golf course uses its own well water, which bodes well for the environment. This will save the course over $100,000 a year in watering costs. An innovative sprinkler system will tap into the course’s water supply. The flexible pipe system is welded together to withstand shifting soils, avoiding breakages which can plague most courses.
Brad Weaver joined Lakewood as Golf Pro. Brad Shaffer is superintendent. Cynthia Rico is vice president of operations. www.lakewoodgolf.com
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MEDIA PREVIEW DAY
(Members of the media only)
Tuesday, February 17, 9am- 4pm
Presentation and lunch at noon
Members of the media are cordially invited to a Private Preview of the new Lakewood golf course on Tuesday, February 17. Bring your clubs or just your reporter’s notebook between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., take a tour of the new course and its $9 million facelift courtesy of nationally respected golf course architect Ron Garl.
Lakewood Golf Professional Brad Weaver will make a brief presentation at noon and lunch will be served. Brad will be on hand all day to answer your questions.
MEDIA PLEASE RSVP to bweaver@lakewoodgolf.com or call Mary Mouton, 504-261-4895.