Shreveport, Louisiana (January 27, 2026) – Southern Trace Country Club in Shreveport, Louisiana has been honored by Golf Inc. magazine with a 2026 Golden Fork Award. Southern Trace came in third place in the “Remodeled F&B Facility – Private” category in the publication’s annual Golden Fork competition. Golf Inc., the world's only magazine for golf course developers, owners and management company executives, annually recognizes the golf industry’s top dining facilities (Golden Fork Awards) at public and private clubs. Golf Inc. recognized a total of 14 golf venues in the 2026 Golden Fork Awards that have either introduced new dining facilities, improved existing spaces, or excelled in innovative food programming.
In 2020, Southern Trace members purchased the club and inherited a failing F&B program, shuttered spaces and years of deferred maintenance. The clubhouse was reinvented from the inside out with the former massive dining room transformed into four distinct venues: Franklin’s, The Magnolia, The Terrace and The Board Room. Each was tailored to member needs while being unified by the design theme of “elevated Southern charm.” A central bar now anchors all venues, serving as a social magnet and functional hub. Menus rotate to highlight freshness and variety, while sourcing emphasizes fresh ingredients and thoughtful presentation. Weekly fine dining menu launches, paired wine dinners and specialty events further highlight creativity.
According to one Golf Inc. Golden Fork Award judge, Southern Trace’s new dining space is: “Classic and basic, utilizes its space well and creates a clean, minimalistic and fresh environment.”
"This award reflects the bold decision our members made to reinvest in Southern Trace and build something exceptional for the future,” Southern Trace Country Club Board President Clint Cormier. “Winning a Golden Fork Award is especially meaningful because it represents how far the Club has come in a short period of time. Our dining spaces are now dynamic gathering places for our membership, and we’re proud to see that vision recognized on a national stage.”
In addition to the food and beverage and clubhouse improvements, Southern Trace Country Club members also enjoy a brand-new 70,000-square-foot practice facility, complete with a double-sided practice range, practice greens, and a short-game area that mirrors real on-course challenges. The Club’s Arthur Hills championship course was also brought back to life, with a new irrigation system, re-grassed tee boxes, and fully rebuilt greens that once again meet championship standards. The fitness center also gleams with new equipment, energy and class offerings. Trace Kids thrives in a brighter, larger space. “The Bunker,” a private swing suite with TrackMan technology, gives golfers and guests a new way to play, rain or shine.
For more information on Southern Trace Country Club, visit www.SouthernTraceCC.com or call (318) 798-8300.
About Southern Trace Country Club
Established in 1988, Southern Trace Country Club features a beautiful Arthur Hills-designed golf course that plays through open meadows and a dense oak forest. The 7,015-yard golf course has appeared atop Golf Digest’s ranking of top courses in Louisiana several times and has a proud history of hosting high-level professional and amateur tournaments, including the WEB.Com Tour’s Southern Open from 1990-2002, multiple state amateur championships and the AJGA David Toms Junior Invitational.
About Troon
Troon Privé, the private club operating division of Troon®, manages golf, club and food & beverage operations as well golf course agronomy and membership marketing at Southern Trace Country Club. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 950-plus locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com