The English Turn in New Orleans is more than just a golf course to me. It is a little diamond in the rough, no pun intended. Ok, I didn’t realize the pun until I said it and now I want it to be intended. Anyways, I first visited the English turn when I was a kid. My Dad would always tell me about going to Pro-Ams with his father and watching the greats like Jack Nicholas and Jim Palmer. He made it sound so special that I couldn’t wait for the day that I got to have the experience. He finally took me to a Pro-Am where Jack Nicholas was playing who had just designed the English Turn course. I have to say that it was a fun experience but going to a Major League Baseball game had a bigger impact on me than Pro Golf. What still sits in my memory today about that time at the English Turn was the beauty of the course. I was use to playing golf on small courses and when I saw the English Turn I thought I was in Augusta. Today it is still an amazing course to see.

A bigger and stronger memory for me at the English Turn happened a little over two years ago. I have done some extra work on films here in New Orleans. I like the film business but wish I had better connections. I was asked to work as an extra on a film called, “I Love you Phillip Morris.” The main character is Jim Carey and I grew up a big fan of his comedy and movies. We I heard that I would get to be an extra on a film that he was working on, I signed up. I will never forget. It was a black tie affair that they where shooting and I was a party goer in a black tie. Well, all the extras had been sitting on set for about 6 hours and I was mingling with the same three people for that 6 hours. I got to know these 3 guys pretty well. The event was supposed to be a party for a big Texas corporation and Jim Carey was supposed to mingle up to us before he stepped over to the camera and shot a short scene. When I first learned of this I was really excited because my expectations was that of being one of six hundred extras in a stadium shot with Jim Carey in the distance. I never expected that I would be the closest person to the speaking characters near the camera. I also never expected what is just about to happen. Like I said we were sitting there waiting for lights, camera, action and all of a sudden, not paying attention, someone steps up next to me and joins in the conversation. It was Jim Carey. I was officially star struck. This was because you do not expect to see someone you have always seen on TV or in the movies right next to you. It was awesome and I got to spend the next few days working close to him. He works hard and he is a lot of fun on set.

The English Turn in New Orleans has been a very popular place for Hollywood to shoot films. This is because it is secluded from the city and it is amazing. Lots of land and beautiful homes and buildings. If you are visiting the city and want to get a understanding of the south outside of the city then this would be a great place to see.

For more information I recommend reading the Hotel Monteleone’s review of the English Turn Golf & Country Club.

What does New Orleans have that no other place in the USA doesn’t have?

1. Being that it is carnival time, I have to start with Mardi Gras. Some cities have tried it but no other city shuts down for the celebration and throws such a big party.
2. Jazz and Blues. Well, so does Chicago, New York, Detroit, etc. so I will scratch this. New Orleans has some of the best in the country though.
   
3. Cajun and Creole cooking! Others are trying it but not to the New Orleans standards.
4. Biggest Historic District in the Nation!
5. At least 1 local festival everyday of the year! Not sure if I am incorrect here. Leave a comment if I am.
6. The cheapest and best place for crawfish and oysters. Well almost, you also have Lafayette and some cities along the South Coast.
7. Home of the first mixed drink, Sazerac!
   
8. SUPER BOWL 44 CHAMPIONS! Who Dat!
9. Hosted the most Super Bowls in country along with Miami.
10. Survived the biggest disasster in the Nations history, Hurricane Katrina.
11. Northern most Carribean city. Debatable!
12. More churches per square mile.
13. More bars and restaurants per square mile.

And yes the list goes on. If you have more accomplishments that are not listed here that need recognition then please post them in the comments below.

Beside all of New Orleans unqiue qualities that make it such an intriging city, what really makes New Orleans what it is, is the culture. It is the only place in this country that when you visit or live here you are immeddiatly a part of the culture. It sucks you in and makes you one of itself. Life is no longer about the JOB or your next respondsiblity. It is only about the moment! This is why the city refuses to evolve. It is a real time capsule that has turned many visitors into permanent resident. It isn’t common to meet someone in town, who when asked, “So why did you move here?” their response is, “I didn’t plan to, I just came for a visit and never left!”

So take this as a warning, “If you plan on visiting New Orleans, make sure you pack enough because you could windup staying for a while.”