L'Auberge
First to Bring Championship Tom Fazio Public Golf Course to Louisiana L'Auberge
First to Bring Championship Tom Fazio Public Golf Course to Louisiana 
L'Auberge
du Lac Casino Hotel, a $365 million Texas Hill Country-themed resort currently
under construction in Lake Charles, La. has teamed up with world-renowned golf
architect, Tom Fazio to bring a championship golf course to Southwest Louisiana.
Maintaining the L 'Auberge philosophy of offering guests experiences unlike
any other, Contraband Bayou Golf Club will be the only public Fazio course in
Louisiana and one of the premiere courses in Texas and Louisiana.
"We at L 'Auberge are proud to bring the Lake Charles community a Tom Fazio designed golf course," said Daniel Lee, CEO and chairman of Pinnacle Entertainment. The Contraband Bayou course is great through and through, with each hole being as memorable as the last."
Fazio
has been honored for creating award-winning courses throughout the United States
and no living designer has more courses credited on Golf Digest's list
of America's I 00 Greatest Golf Courses and Golfweek magazine's collection
of America's Best. Fazio attributes his success to maintaining a team concept
in design. This visionary group, with a diverse base of knowledge and a united
love for the game of golf, enable the Fazio Golf Course Designers to continue
to create courses that are noted throughout the industry for excellence.
"Golf courses should reflect the natural beauty of their environment, and the new course here at L 'Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino certainly was designed with that philosophy in mind," said designer Tom Fazio.
The Contraband Bayou course will compliment the marsh lowland features of the natural Louisiana environment to enhance this unique 7,000 yard, par- 71 championship golf course. A combination of aquatic and natural vegetation on the edges of eight spectacular lakes will challenge golfers of all skill levels.
The
Contraband Bayou Golf Club will include a driving range to help golfers hone
their skills before their rounds and each hole will have four sets of tee boxes
to provide a challenge for all skill levels. The golfer's experience will be
complete with beverage cart service that will include sandwiches and a visit
to the golf shop, featuring a variety of golf apparel. Golf Pro Billy Rase took
me on a grand tour of the course, and it is a very special venue. For Tee times,
call 337-395-7777.
L'Auberge
is currently under construction on 227 acres of land in Lake Charles, La., two
hours from the Houston metropolitan area. The course was opened to VIPs on May
25. The Grand Opening for the public is schedule in August, 2005. This premier
facility is ideal for the business traveler or guest looking for the ultimate
in hospitality and dining experiences, plus non-stop gaming action. The property
includes a 26-story hotel complex with more than 750 rooms and suites; an I8-hole
championship golf course designed by Tom Fazio; 26,000 square feet of meeting
space, including a business center and conference registration area; a pool
with a sandy beach and lazy river; full-service salon and spa and cardio fitness
center; retail stores; five signature restaurants; and top-name entertainment.
The casino will be the largest single-deck riverboat casino in the United States
and the only single-deck riverboat in Louisiana. To learn more about L'Auberge,
visit www.ldlcasino.com.
Pinnacle Entertainment owns and operates
casinos in Nevada, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana and Argentina, and receives
lease income from two card club casinos, both in the Los Angeles metropolitan
area. The Company is currently building a major casino resort in Lake Charles,
Louisiana and has been selected for two casino and related development projects
in the St. Louis, Missouri area, pending approval of the Louisiana Gaming Control
Board and the Missouri Gaming Commission, respectively. For more information
about Pinnacle Entertainment, call (702) 784-7777 or visit www.pnkinc.com.