the year it replaced its TifDwarf greens with heartier Champion Ultradwarf , did some tree and stump removal , and switched nines .
Golfers are advised to button the strap on their helmets before stepping on the first tee . They are confronted by a brute of a 611-yard , par 5 that plays like a graduate-level final exam in Astro-Physics . Nos . 2 and 3 are no slouches either .
The good news is the golf course is right there in front of the golfer . It requires high-quality shotmaking and rarely will players experience less than perfect conditioning .
While greens superintendent Kevin Bell pays homage to the beginning trio of holes for their degree of difficulty he praises 13 through 15 as his three favorites , where players can get lost in a reverie of seclusion .” You just don ’ t know where you are on those three ,’’ he said . “ It ’ s like you got lost and don ’ t know where you are . I like that .’’
There isn ’ t much not to like about Lake Charles . Fine dining is readily available at both L ’ Auberge Casino Resort and the Golden Nugget . But visitors and guests should not pass up Jack Daniels Bar and Grill at L ’ Auberge , where a whole lot of creative smoking goes on with brisket and pork .
An endless array of boiled and fried seafood is available at Seafood Palace , a local favorite . Tia Juanita ’ s Fish House is a one-of-a-kind restaurant located downtown in the quaint Ryan Street District .
Finally a trip to Mazen ’ s , a hop , skip and a jump away from the casinos area , will reward diners with some of the freshest shrimp , crab and fish on the planet .
Go for the golf . Go for the gambling . Go for the food . You won ’ t regret it because chances are Lake Charles won ’ t be a quiet destination much longer .
Gray Plantation
20 Photo by Brian Weis at Golftrips . com