Prison View Golf Couse, Angola State Prison, Louisiana

[Tim Leahy]

I saw a feature on the golf channel "Golf In America" show last night about this course built and maintained by prisoners from Angola State Pen and wondered if anyone had played it. Apparently it is not open to inmates but the public must get a security clearance 48 hrs before playing to weed out potential breakouts. It was desigined by the prison dentist using a book from the library on how to build courses. I wondered if they allow women and would that turn into the great scene from "Cool Hand Luke" with the car wash.

http://www.prisonviewgolf.com/

[Bill_McBride]

I saw a feature on the golf channel "Golf In America" show last night about this course built and maintained by prisoners from Angola State Pen and wondered if anyone had played it. Apparently it is not open to inmates but the public must get a security clearance 48 hrs before playing to weed out potential breakouts. It was desigined by the prison dentist using a book from the library on how to build courses. I wondered if they allow women and would that turn into the great scene from "Cool Hand Luke" with the car wash.

http://www.prisonviewgolf.com/

My wife and I and another couple were playing one of the courses at Eglin AFB near Fort Walton Beach here in North Florida a few years ago.  There is a Club Fed (minimum security federal prison) there, and a crew of prisoners was working on the perimeter of the course chopping weeks.  No, I couldn't see any chains!  They seemed VERY interested in the women!

Tiger Bernhardt is probably a non-resident member of Prison View. 

[Wyatt Halliday]

THIS is thoughtful architecture:

WELCOME TO THE PRISON VIEW GOLF COURSE

Prison View Golf Course is located on the grounds of Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, LA, and is operated by the Louisiana State Penitentiary Employee Recreation Committee.

Prison View offers players a challenging round of golf, practice facility and Clubhouse.

Number 1 tee box is elevated approx. 75 yards in the Tunica Hills offering a spectacular view of Louisiana’s only maximum security prison.

[Tim Leahy]

Maybe they can start a junior golf/ scared straight program at the facility.

Do you think the prisoners get more visits if their friends can get nine holes in afterwards?

If you make a hole in one, do you have to buy a round of "raisin jack" for the inmates?

[Tim Taylor]

Too bad Johnny Cash is dead. There has to be a Man In Black song here somewhere...

Tim

[Richard Hetzel]

When I was stationed at Fort Jackson (Columbia, SC) in the early 1990's my buddy and I used to play Linrick GC, a county owned course. It was a regular site to see MANY county jail inmates in orange jumpsuits doing the bunkers and other course maintenance under supervision. Kinda weird, until you grew accustomed to it. Sure does solve some of the course budget issues though.

[PThomas]

if that's their logo in the link Tim provided, i gotta get a ball or shirt with it!

[Tim Leahy]

if that's their logo in the link Tim provided, i gotta get a ball or shirt with it!

I was thinking the same thing, they have a great marketing opportunity with that logo.

[JohnV]

I love some of the Rules.

Play may be suspended at any time, due to institutional need or at the Warden's discretion.

Absolutely NO firearms, drugs, alcohol or other contraband items (such as, but not limited to, cameras, knives, etc.) are allowed on the premises.   (No cameras?  There goes the hope of getting any GCA members to play.)

Also, if you have any questions feel free to e-mail Wanda at wanda@prisonviewgolf.com.  Thank goodness it isn't Bubba. 

And the directions:  "LA Hwy 66 dead-ends at the Front Gate of Louisiana State Penitentiary."   I bet it does.

[Tim Leahy]

Hopefully those Poboys at the clubhouse don't come from the prison kitchen!

[John Mayhugh]

I love some of the Rules.

Play may be suspended at any time, due to institutional need or at the Warden's discretion.

Absolutely NO firearms, drugs, alcohol or other contraband items (such as, but not limited to, cameras, knives, etc.) are allowed on the premises.   (No cameras?  There goes the hope of getting any GCA members to play.)

Also, if you have any questions feel free to e-mail Wanda at wanda@prisonviewgolf.com.  Thank goodness it isn't Bubba. 

And the directions:  "LA Hwy 66 dead-ends at the Front Gate of Louisiana State Penitentiary."   I bet it does.

Those were hilarious.

I think ball mark repair tools that look like shanks would be a nice touch.

[Tim Leahy]

Naked Lady tees might be considered contraband!

[Tim Leahy]

Has nobody out there played this yet?

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I should be considered most likely to see the place. I actually used to do a good bit of business in that Parish. However the notice provision and fairly lengthy drive in the country makes it a togh to get too. It is the prettiest land in the state in that general area. The Bluffs by Palmer and currently in bankrupsey is the nearest significant course to it.

[Eamon Lynch]

I was down there to write about it a few years ago when it was opening. It was designed by the prison dentist, who was inspired by watching Arnie's crew design a course nearby. Make of that what you will.
The story is here:
http://www.eamonlynch.com/work3.htm

[Tim Leahy]

Great article Eamon, I especially liked the gated community line and the story about the inmate who ran over his wife, but waited for the cops to come.
Have you played the course?

[Tom Yost]

...
Number 1 tee box is elevated approx. 75 yards in the Tunica Hills offering a spectacular view of Louisiana’s only maximum security prison.
...

When you have a feature, take advantage of it!

[Eamon Lynch]

Tim,
I didn't play it, but don't feel as though I missed anything based on walking it with the designer/dentist. I'll go back when they hire Rees Jones to tweak it.

My two strongest memories of that trip to Angola had nothing to do with the course. One was the scorching heat (it was August), and the other was Warden Burl Cain, who used the exact same tone of voice in discussing shooting armadillos as when discussing shooting prisoners. I don't think he saw much difference. It really is a depressing place. Back when I visited (in 2003), the oldest prisoner there was 93, and the longest continuously serving prisoner had been there since Truman was in the White House. Rehabilitation doesn't carry much water in the bayou.

[DMoriarty]

'Gola Golfin' Blues

I hear them duffers comin'
They're hackin' 'round the turn
And I can't go a golfin'
'Cause I forged my tax return
I'm stuck in 'Gola Prison
And there's a course outside
Tried to make a tee time
but I have been denied.

When I was just a caddy,
Cad' master told me, "Son,
Always carry two bags,
Don't ever carry one,"
Well totin' bags I earned well
But didn't declare the tips
Now my cellmate bends me over
He's givin' me the yips.

I bet there's rich folks ridin',
In them fancy golfin' carts,
They're probably drinkin' Guiness,
And smokin' big cigars,
Its a twilight round their playin',
Almost too dark to see,
But those hacks they keep a-golfin',
And that's what tortures me.

Well, if they freed me from this prison,
If that golfin course was mine,
I'd crush this friggin' Prison,
And build another nine,
Outside this bunker prison,
That's how I'd like to play
I'd let my awful golf swing,
Slice my Blues away.

[Emil Weber]

That's the least inviting name for a golf course I've ever heard.

[Guy Nicholson]

'Gola Golfin' Blues

I hear them duffers comin'
They're hackin' 'round the turn
And I can't go a golfin'
'Cause I forged my tax return
I'm stuck in 'Gola Prison
And there's a course outside
Tried to make a tee time
but I have been denied.

When I was just a caddy,
Cad' master told me, "Son,
Always carry two bags,
Don't ever carry one,"
Well totin' bags I earned well
But didn't declare the tips
Now my cellmate bends me over
He's givin' me the yips.

I bet there's rich folks ridin',
In them fancy golfin' carts,
They're probably drinkin' Guiness,
And smokin' big cigars,
Its a twilight round their playin',
Almost too dark to see,
But those hacks they keep a-golfin',
And that's what tortures me.

Well, if they freed me from this prison,
If that golfin course was mine,
I'd crush this friggin' Prison,
And build another nine,
Outside this bunker prison,
That's how I'd like to play
I'd let my awful golf swing,
Slice my Blues away.

  Made my week.

[Tom Yost]

Has nobody out there played this yet?

I saw the Golf in America episode that featured this course.  Didn't really look like something I would travel to see.  The green fees certainly seem reasonable. 

[Tim Leahy]

'Gola Golfin' Blues

I hear them duffers comin'
They're hackin' 'round the turn
And I can't go a golfin'
'Cause I forged my tax return
I'm stuck in 'Gola Prison
And there's a course outside
Tried to make a tee time
but I have been denied.

When I was just a caddy,
Cad' master told me, "Son,
Always carry two bags,
Don't ever carry one,"
Well totin' bags I earned well
But didn't declare the tips
Now my cellmate bends me over
He's givin' me the yips.

I bet there's rich folks ridin',
In them fancy golfin' carts,
They're probably drinkin' Guiness,
And smokin' big cigars,
Its a twilight round their playin',
Almost too dark to see,
But those hacks they keep a-golfin',
And that's what tortures me.

Well, if they freed me from this prison,
If that golfin course was mine,
I'd crush this friggin' Prison,
And build another nine,
Outside this bunker prison,
That's how I'd like to play
I'd let my awful golf swing,
Slice my Blues away.

That is brilliant Moriarty!   As I was reading it in my best Johnny Cash inner voice, I almost welled up myself.
You really should send it to the proshop at Angola or at least to the Golf Channel.
 I still want a Prison View CC golf cap!

[DMoriarty]

That is brilliant Moriarty!   As I was reading it in my best Johnny Cash inner voice, I almost welled up myself.
You really should send it to the proshop at Angola or at least to the Golf Channel.
 I still want a Prison View CC golf cap!

Thanks.   Tim Taylor wanted a song by the Man in Black, and while I'm not Johnny Cash I thought I'd give it a try.   I too have a Johnny Cash inner voice, and it always sounds so good until I open my mouth.   

A logo shirt would be cool, especially with prison stripes.

[Before Shivas or any other lawyer-type gets on me; I know Angola is a max. security state prison, and that tax fraud is a federal crime.   That is just my homage to the original, where the narrator is locked in a Folsom Prison, CA for killing a man in Nevada.  "I shot a man Reno, just to watch him die."]

[Bill Shotzbarger]

Just read a recent article today and was wondering if anyone has played it since this post? Guests are certainly welcome; the course is not just for prison employees.

Article:
http://tomorrowthemag.com/articles/a-gated-community


The course's official website:
http://www.prisonviewgolf.com/


Eamon Lynch's writeup was also interesting....
http://www.eamonlynch.com/foursome_prison_blues_29204.htm