Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/740160
In recognition of the milestone of recently reaching my 175th issue, I'm pleased to offer a special "Lifetime" subscription offer of $100 for 10 years of issues! That's right, this special offer is available now and will mean you won't have to pay $30 annually, but rather a one-time payment of $100 for up to 10 years of issues. This option is available when you click the Subscribe Now! button. your favorite armchair. I'd never encountered such opulence in a golf cart before and the comfort was quite sumptuous. A prominent view on the very rst hole is a bridge on I-10 spanning some the aforementioned bayous. The course threads its way through inlets, with room to maneuver though. The trip was o to a great start! Dinner that night was at the very cool Blue Dog Cafe. Located in downtown Lake Charles, an area undergoing an ongoing revitalization, and a comfortable 15-minute ride from the casinos. The food had a Cajun bent, while we were surrounded by the art of George Rodrigue, creator of the iconic Blue Dog. Admittedly I'm a neophyte as regards shing, but I gave it a go the following morning and had a blast. We were shing for speckled trout and red sh on Lake Calcasieu (also accurately named "Big Lake" as it covers 77 square miles). Our hosts were Hackberry Rod & Gun, with our guide Blake taking pity on me and showing me the basics. Our boat only caught a few keepers, but it wasn't for the want of trying, but thankfully our other two boats hauled enough in for that night's delicious dinner. I enjoyed our sh grilled at Seafood Palace (far from palatial, it was packed with locals, always a good sign), which I came to learn is a true Lake Charles institution. I'm not sure if it was a result of the full day of shing, then golf, but I ate four lets of sh and savored every bite. After shing, and before enjoying our catch, had come golf at Gray Plantation Golf Course, a semi-private facility nestled in a housing develop- ment of the same name. Water is once again a prominent feature and you better be in control of your golf ball as a num- ber of holes will grab you if you are not. The closing holes on both nines are stout par fours, with a par more than likely going to win the bets. Our nal day concluded with an early morn- ing game at the descriptively-named Contraband Bayou. This is an amenity of L'Auberge's Casino Resort and was designed by none other than Tom Fazio. It is literally within walking distance of the resort and our group savored being the rst on the tee box that morning. Water is once again in play on many holes, but not quite so much as the other courses I teed it up on. Fazio has crafted many ne holes; one of my favorites being the par 3 11th nestled among low- hanging trees that are so dense that you feel like you are in your own little world on this hole, while, in fact, the bustling port of Lake Charles is literally right next door. The closing three par fours all measure well over 400 yards and provided one heck of a nish. Three fours on your card would see you well ahead of the game. So ended my look at three ne courses. I had joined my group a day after the trip had started and they all talked fondly of The National Golf Club of Louisiana, the course they played before my ar- rival. My accommodations at L'Auberge were sensa- tional. No expense spared across their 1000-plus rooms and suites. All in all, a fabulous trip, one that I wholeheart- edly recommend. Click here for much more information and don't delay in booking your visit… LAKE CHARLES IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA OFFERS GOLF, FISHING, GAMBLING AND VARIOUS CUISINES Gray Plantation (credit Brian Weis at Golftrips.com) Gray Plantation Gray Plantation Blue Dog Cafe bar displaying the famous iconic Blue Dog artwork Blue Dog Cafe bar displaying the famous Blue Dog Cafe bar displaying the famous Blue Dog Cafe bar displaying the famous Blue Dog Cafe bar displaying the famous L'Auberge Casino Resort at night (credit www.LindseyJanies.com) L'Auberge Casino Resort at night L'Auberge Casino Resort at night