Golf's Major Championships

[Alex G]

back from the dead... yippee!


Eastover reopens original front nine
Back nine is expected to be ready by June 2008

Friday, March 30, 2007
By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer

After 19 challenging and laborious months, golf returned Thursday to Eastover Country Club.

Under a cloudless sky, the foursome of Mickey Landry, Russ Carll, Tom Winingder and Tom Sands teed off at 8:07 a.m. on the front nine of the original 18-hole course, built 20 years ago by architect Joe Yee.

Nearly 40 club members played Thursday, and more are expected over the weekend.

"This is a small step for New Orleans, but it's a giant leap for East New Orleans," Eastover Director of Golf Jimmy Headrick said as Landry drove the middle of the fairway from the white tees on the 370-yard first hole. "It's like landing on the moon for this side of the city."

Landry, one of the club's original members, had been among the last to visit Eastover before Hurricane Katrina struck Aug. 29, 2005. He was lined up to play a day earlier, but changed his mind and evacuated to Houston amid reports that the storm had grown to Category 5 strength and was bearing down on New Orleans.

"The TV was telling the whole story," Landry said. "The massiveness of this storm was something we had never seen, so we made the decision to leave."

Eastover majority owner Donnie Pate said he still is trying to reach many of his club's approximately 450 members, some of whom remain displaced.

"The first time we rode out here after the storm, it took our breath away," Pate said. "We drove around 15 to 20 minutes and didn't say a word to each other.

"It's been a battle ever since, and we still have a long way to go, but after 19 months, it's nice to get back to some sort of normalcy out here."

Pate said he expects to spend more than $4 million on the golf property. The back nine is expected to reopen in June 2008. By then, a larger clubhouse and pro shop will be in operation where the current building stands.

"This is one step in the right direction," Winingder said. "(Pate) has made the place what it is today. He's committed his own assets to bring this club back, along with hope, wing and a prayer. It's very comfortable being back here."

Said Carll: "This is way ahead of the curve out here in east New Orleans."

Landry now owns the distinction of hitting the first ball at Eastover's front-nine grand opening in 1987 and again 20 years later.

"What I'm really looking forward to is when all the guys get back out here playing again," Landry said.

Eastover head pro Brad Weaver said he anticipates between 120 and 150 rounds will be played this weekend.

"It's great to feel alive out here," said Weaver, who noted that for the foreseeable future Eastover will be for members only. "It's great for Eastover; it's great for New Orleans East.

"We're wanting people to come out and take their worries away and have a great time. If people come out and give us a look-see, they'll be pleasantly surprised."

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Eastover will be featured in a 30-minute show titled "Status of Golf in New Orleans," hosted and produced by David L. Bowser. It will air April 6, 13, 20, 27 and May 4 at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Cox Cable Access Channel 76 in Orleans Parish.

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Brian Allee-Walsh can be reached at [e-mail] or [phone].