The Bluffs takes Mother Nature’s
punch – but comes back fighting
Natural disasters can tear communities
apart, and Louisiana is no stranger to these
events. The two floods this year have provided
golf courses with tremendous struggle and
upkeep costs. With disasters, though, often
comes togetherness and teamwork to help
rebuild whatever was lost.
The Bluffs, an Arnold Palmer designed
course in St. Francisville, Louisiana, just a short
drive north of Baton Rouge, has come back
to top notch shape despite the difficulties the
presented themselves after August’s dose of
flood waters.
The elevation on the golf course certainly
played a factor in the flooding. It is possibly one
of the hilliest areas in Louisiana as the course
changes about 50 feet in elevation throughout.
The course was shut down for a week after
the flood, opening up again on Aug. 20, the
following Saturday. Holes 2, 3, 17 and 18 were
completely flooded. Seventeen and 18 were
eventually able to make a comeback after the
storm, but holes 2 and 3 are still recovering.
Tom Agazzi, PGA Head Professional at
The Bluffs, said, “The course is in great shape
besides the two holes that the Thompson Creek
overflowed on and created a channel through.”
by Shayne Narro
Those two holes remain unplayable but will
be fixed in the near future. The rates of The
Bluffs are currently $49 per player, which is a
steal for a golf course of this caliber. Agazzi is
optimistic in the return of the play because the
golf course in great shape, and the greens were
saved. The two fairways have recently been
sodded, and Agazzi said he expects the holes to
fully open in the spring.
Now is the time to play The Bluffs though.
There are great stay and play packages
available in one of the many one-bedroom
lodges, and two-bedroom accommodations
21