Nathan Crace completes bunker project at Tamahka Trails in Louisiana

Nathan Crace has completed a renovation of the golf course at Tamahka Trails Golf Club in Marksville, Louisiana.

The club is located at the Paragon Casino Resort and Hotel, which is owned by the Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.

The main aim of the renovation was to overhaul the bunkers – the club has been unable to host top state amateur golf tournaments for almost 15 years due to their condition. Crace oversaw the replacement of all drainage lines and sand, re-shaping to eliminate steep slopes, converting around 40,000 square feet of bunkers to grass, adding small pot bunkers to four holes, and implementing the Better Billy Bunker system.

New forward teesallow the course to be played from a total as low as 4,000 yards, while other tees were added and repositioned throughout, including seven new championship tees that extend the maximum course length by 150 yards. Work was also done on fairways and cart paths, and a new practice green and chipping bunker were built.

“Tamahka Trails has always had a strong reputation of having an outstanding layout, excellent greens, consistently good turf conditions and wonderful customer service,” said Jody Madigan, general manager of Paragon Casino Resort. “With these renovations, Tamahka Trails is even more the perfect destination resort course. We hope all serious and casual golfers get a chance to enjoy this truly special place."

“Tamahka Trails is the best kept secret in golf in the state of Louisiana,” said Crace. “There simply is no piece of property in the southern part of the state that has the unique topography and feel that this property has. With these new upgrades it should be on everyone’s must-play list, regardless of skill level. It’s always a thrill to be part of a project like this. From the owner, to the staff to the contractor, everyone was on board from the beginning and supported what needed to be done 100 per cent.”

“We are impressed with the beautiful renovation of the Tamahka Trails Golf Club and believe that golfers and visitors to the course will be too,” said Tunica-Biloxi tribal chairman Marshall Pierite. “With the central location of the Paragon Casino Resort and Tamahka Trails here in Louisiana, we are the perfect destination resort course for all and are eager to welcome and host golfers here in Avoyelles Parish.”

Tamahka has recently secured the Louisiana State Women’s Four Ball Championship, the Gulf States PGA Chapter Championship, the All Pro Tour Paragon Championship, the Golfweek Amateur Tour, and the Eagle Amateur Tour inaugural tournament for 2021.

Richard HumphreysRichard Humphreys

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