PARKS, ARTS, RECREATION, & CULTURE
PARKS, ART, RECREATION, & CULTURE
GOLF COURSES
Each of Lafayette’s three public courses continue to offer area golfers a variety of challenges to their game. And just as importantly, the courses continue to fair well in utilization and income, a positive in a sport that has seen challenges in growth across the country in the past few years. The public courses help to further their importance to local golfers by offering private lessons, encouraging junior golf play, tournaments to benefit local organizations and more.
The Jay & Lionel Hebert Municipal Golf Course
1121 Mudd Avenue, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501 | 337.291.5557
Les Vieux Chenes
340 Old Youngsville Hwy, Youngsville, LA 70592 | (337) 837-1159
The Wetlands Golf Course
129 N. University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70507 | (337) 291-7151
With Lafayette’s newest course now 12 years old, the “growing in” phase can be considered fairly complete, though of course trees and other elements will continue to grow and mature. The Audubon Trails course was host to 25 tournaments during the year, including the Lafayette City Championship and two divisions of the State High School Tournament, in addition to junior and adult clinics and private instruction. Supplementing the day-to-day maintenance of the course, key projects for The Wetlands included drainage work in a number of fairways and the driving range and closing in two bays of the maintenance facility (which houses the course equipment and machinery).
1121 Mudd Avenue, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501 | 337.291.5557
Lafayette’s oldest public golf course continues to be well utilized and hosted a number of events last year. The annual Sheriff’s Junior Golf Tournament had 150 golfers age 6 – 17; a dozen tournaments were held by both Men’s and Senior Men’s Golf Associations. Local elementary and high school teams utilized the course for weekly practices and matches from November through March, and fundraiser tournaments were held for three local schools. The Hebert Course was also one of the courses to host the annual Lafayette City Championship.
Golf course maintenance is extremely important to players, and also ensures the course’s long-term viability. 2018 saw phase one of an improved drainage plan implemented, along with beginning capital improvement projects for cart path improvements and cart staging areas. Benches and water cooler stations on the course were replaced, and major tree pruning was performed to enhance turf growth on the fairways, tees and greens. Lastly, several aging pieces of service equipment (a utility tractor, fairway mower, greens mower, greens top-dressing machine and a turf sweeper [used for leaves and debris]) were replaced.
Golf course maintenance is extremely important to players, and also ensures the course’s long-term viability. 2018 saw phase one of an improved drainage plan implemented, along with beginning capital improvement projects for cart path improvements and cart staging areas. Benches and water cooler stations on the course were replaced, and major tree pruning was performed to enhance turf growth on the fairways, tees and greens. Lastly, several aging pieces of service equipment (a utility tractor, fairway mower, greens mower, greens top-dressing machine and a turf sweeper [used for leaves and debris]) were replaced.
Les Vieux Chenes
340 Old Youngsville Hwy, Youngsville, LA 70592 | (337) 837-1159
After seeing a weather-related drop in usage in 2017, Les Vieux Chenes bounced back in rounds played and course
revenue. The busy course saw completion of many projects: improved drainage on four holes, new cart path installation on three holes, bulk-heading of the pond on hole 11, renovations to on-course restrooms, and the installation of new flags and targets on the driving range. The course also hosted a multitude of events, including high school District Championships, the Girl’s High School State Championship, high school golf matches, monthly tournaments for the Les Vieux Chenes Senior Mens Golf Association, and numerous charity/fund raising throughout the year.
The Wetlands Golf Course
129 N. University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70507 | (337) 291-7151
With Lafayette’s newest course now 12 years old, the “growing in” phase can be considered fairly complete, though of course trees and other elements will continue to grow and mature. The Audubon Trails course was host to 25 tournaments during the year, including the Lafayette City Championship and two divisions of the State High School Tournament, in addition to junior and adult clinics and private instruction. Supplementing the day-to-day maintenance of the course, key projects for The Wetlands included drainage work in a number of fairways and the driving range and closing in two bays of the maintenance facility (which houses the course equipment and machinery).