An annual event, since 1958, the Zurich Classic is a favorite stop of both players and fans on the PGA Tour.
Thanks to a great partnership with the Zurich Insurance Group, the Zurich Classic is one of the best stops each spring on a tour loaded with great events. With Zurich’s commitment, an economic impact of more than $40 million annually and an additional $22 million in television exposure, the Zurich Classic generates much-needed funds for the city of New Orleans. Through the years, the Foundation has raised nearly $26 million for children’s charities providing education, healthcare and hope to more than 200,000 children in the region.
The Zurich Classic may be a nice event to watch on television, but it’s a fantastic event to attend in person and you have the great city of New Orleans as a backdrop. This year tournament week is April 25 to May 1 and if you know what those dates mean to New Orleans, organizers say it’s a win/win for everybody. For those in Atlanta and the state of Georgia, New Orleans is currently a nice drive with no road construction to worry about.
“The tournament is also Jazz Fest here in New Orleans,” states Ryan O’Dowd, Director of Business Development at TPC Louisiana. “Zurich loves that.”
That means there is a lot to do for fans of golf, music and even New Orleans’ food. Tickets for the Zurich Classic can be secured here.
If you are traveling to “The Big Easy” for the Zurich Classic, New Orleans Jazz Fest, or both, here’s a primer and recommendations for a getaway to New Orleans.
Where to Stay
Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel, 228 Poydras Street
A fantastic AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotel, Harrah’s New Orleans is located in the heart of New Orleans and central to everything. This 26-story property, with 450 oversized rooms and suites, provides a relaxing escape. Featuring deluxe beds with pillow-top mattresses, flat screen televisions and fast wireless Internet, Harrah’s has a casino and shops and restaurants just steps away. Don’t miss Besh Steakhouse, which is located right in the casino. Besh offers prime cuts of steak, great salads and your favorite desserts. With spectacular views of the Mississippi River and New Orleans skyline, just minutes from the French Quarter and Convention Center and a few blocks from the Superdome, there is no better place to stay. Also, easy access to the bridge that takes you right to the TPC Louisiana for all the golf.
Where to Play Golf
While you might not be able to tee it up at TPC Louisiana because of the tournament, there are a couple other great options if you want to break out your clubs for a round or two. English Turn Golf & Country Club is a former home of the Zurich Classic and it’s right in New Orleans. If you are looking to get in a quick round, Audubon Park is convenient and great for those also looking to walk a course and get some extra exercise.
Where to Eat
Eating in New Orleans is a sport itself, so get out and explore and try new restaurants. If you are looking for some old favorites here we go:
Breakfast at the Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal Street. Come for a buffet that goes on and on. This is a can’t miss, daily live jazz brunch buffet and Creole a la carte dinner served in the largest historical French Quarter courtyard. Jazz Brunch is an unreal selection of hot and cold dishes available every day. Parts of the buffet change with seasons to ensure the freshest ingredients and show off new offerings.A typical selection of hot dishes includes made-to-order omelets, Eggs Benedict, hash browns, sausage, bacon and grits and even desserts for breakfast or brunch. Think bananas foster. See more at www.courtoftwosisters.com.
Lunch at Mother’s, 401 Poydras Street. A casual and cafeteria-style joint drawing crowds with po’ boys & down-home Southern fare since 1938. This is a can’t miss on any trip to New Orleans and come hungry for that roast beef po’ boy. One block from Harrah’s.
Dinner at Tujague’s, 823 Decatur Street. Come to Tujague’s and you will say, wow! Founded in 1856, this is a family-owned classic New Orleans restaurant that serves a traditional, fixed-price Creole menu. They offer the best service and servers in New Orleans and everything on the menu is fresh and tasty. Tujague’s has New Orleans’ original “stand up bar” and claims to have invented both the term “brunch” and the drink we all know as the Grasshopper. Tujague’s is celebrating their 160th anniversary, so don’t miss a chance to experience the party and the food at Tujague’s.
Two additional great restaurant options are: Grand Isle, 575 Convention Center Blvd for seafood and fresh gumbo. Also, Manning’s is the sports bar owned by Archie Manning and the Manning Family. It’s located right behind Harrah’s hotel and is an upscale sports bar with great views of all the baseball, basketball and footballs games being played.
What To Do
Take a break from the golf and “hop on” a double-decker bus that his all the hot spots in the city. City Sightseeing New Orleans is the most entertaining, informative, and flexible City Tour you can find that offers transportation approximately every 30 minutes on an exhilarating open-top, double-decker bus and includes 3 Free Walking Tours. You get three days of riding privileges for $44.
Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World. It’s actually Mardi Gras, 365 days a year at this warehouse and studio where actual Mardi Gras floats are made. This is the most fascinating Mardi Gras design studio on earth! See artists and sculptors as they work year-round on the world’s largest fleet of floats, and you will get to experience the history and royal traditions of Carnival Time. Guided tours are offered every 30 minutes at $19.99 for adults, seniors and students are $15.95 and kids for $12.95. Mardi Gras World is located at 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl. or off stop 16 of the bus tour.
The French Quarter. No trip to New Orleans is complete without a walk through or time spent in The French Quarter. It’s the best “people watching” in the South to along with the drinks, food and music.
Zurich Classic week begins April 25, so it’s time to plan a little time away in New Orleans. It’s golf in The Big Easy and more.
O’Dowd gets a smile on his face this time each year as the tournament approaches.
“We provide a top-notch venue for a great event. The purse is great and field is loaded with Jason Day and Rickie Fowler coming, as is defending champion, Justin Rose. We have the widest fairways on tour and we’ve made a ton of improvements, so there are going to be birdies and eagles. It’s a win/win for all!”
For even more information visit: www.neworleanscvb.com, Like (Visit New Orleans) on Facebook, follow (@NewOrleansCVB) on Twitter and and (VisitNewOrleans) on Instagram.
