the mackel returns to birthplace in 2018
The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Championship of
New Orleans presented by Cox returns to where it all
began in 1993, Bayou Oaks at City Park on June 23 and
24, 2018.
The 36-hole tournament features a division for every
golfer in the metropolitan New Orleans area. It welcomes
men and women of all ages, from the junior to the super
senior golfer.
“Our first tournament was like a magnet, drawing in
generations of golfers who grew up at City Park,’’ said
Dave Lagarde, who, along with the late Frank Mackel
and Ronnie Benandi, founded the event. “It has been
a long, winding and well-traveled road between 1993
and 2017, but we hope our return to our birthplace will
provide a spark that can recreate that brand of magic.’’
The course, set among the historic live oaks of City
Park, is the design of one of the most respected names in
golf course architecture, Rees Jones. “This golf course is
going to be like Torrey Pines and Bethpage Black,’’ Jones
said during construction. “This isn’t just a golf course.
This is a gift to the community.”
In addition to staging the 36-hole championship, the
not-for-profit Mackel Foundation also annually awards a
collegiate scholarship in Mackel’s name.
Eastover, Belle Terre, Lakewood, Oak Harbor and
Beau Chene have also played host to the championship.
d
r
f
s
t.
n
d
at
y
y
e
s
’s
y
f
25