By Ed Selser

Discover the Cajun Coast’s premier golf experience overlooking the magnificent Atchafalaya Basin. Opened in 2006 and quickly regarded as the “must play” in Louisiana The Atchafalaya at Idlewild is an 18-hole public course surrounded only by nature. It was named a Golf Digest Top 10 Best Louisiana Course for 2013 and was listed in the Top 50 in the US by Golfweek. In fact, The Atchafalaya has been ranked one of America’s best five times!

Located along scenic Hwy 90, between New Orleans and Lafayette, in Patterson, The Atchafalaya is as close as you can get to Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin while enjoying a spectacular round of golf. Ecotourism abounds in this Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary course with each of the 18 holes named for a cultural feature within the Basin where over 40 species of indigenous flora thrive.

The 7,533 course is appreciated by golfers of all skill levels for its exceptional course conditioning and expansive greens. For the traveler, top line rental clubs are available and the 2015 model cart fleet includes state of the art GPS (Visage) that lets you touch the screen and get the exact yardage to the pin. You can also place food and beverage orders right from your cart.

The cypress clubhouse is open to the public so you don’t even have to be a golfer to enjoy the celebrated Cajun food and spectacular views from the big Acadian back porch. While the dress code requires collared shirts and no jeans on the golf course, jeans are fine in the clubhouse restaurant. The popular Catfish Atchafalaya comes grilled or fried and covered with Crawfish Etouffee. The steaks are also a specialty.

The Atchafalaya is open 7 days a week with rates, online tee times and an Interactive Course Guide available at www.atchafalayagolf.com

Check out regular Cajun Coast Golf Packages.