The PGA Tour’s only two-man team format is a particular plus to help make the event a “must attend” for players. It’s also located at about the midpoint of the newly structured FedEx Cup season, when earning points is a focus. And don’t forget the New Orleans hospitality and cuisine that make the “Big Easy” world-famous. “We’re very happy with the format that was changed in 2017 when we went to the team format,” Laloum said. “We feel like we stand out that way. We like to stand out in other ways, but certainly 20 years is a milestone.”

Both the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and TPC Louisiana are celebrating milestones this year. The tournament, and the course that has hosted it for the past 20 years, exemplify the same resilience that their host city has shown over the past two decades. And both have been a driving force in New Orleans' revitalization. TPC Louisiana celebrated its 20th anniversary this past weekend, reaching that milestone after surviving its share of hardships. And just like New Orleans, TPC Louisiana continues to proudly display resilience and tenacity after getting knocked down time and time again. The tournament that is played annually at TPC Louisiana, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, has played a big role in the city's recovery, which is being celebrated this week, as well. This is the 20th anniversary of Zurich becoming the tournament's title sponsor.

In the past, people finished the delicacies and tossed the shells into trash cans around TPC Louisiana, the contents headed for landfills. This year, though, the tournament has partnered with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL) to recycle the shells to help restore the state’s shoreline. After the shells are collected by the CRCL, volunteers will make sure no trash has been mixed into the bins. The shells will be dried, put in biodegradable nylon nets and returned to the water to create reefs and revitalize the habitat for oysters and fish.

There has been a pro golf tournament played in New Orleans since 1938—Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus and Seve Ballesteros count ‘Big Easy’ wins among their title hauls. But Zurich, the title sponsor of Louisiana’s lone PGA Tour stop is not only the tournament’s longest tenured standard bearer but also put an indelible stamp on the event seven years back to insure for its future success. They decided to break the stroke play monotony of the tour by turning it into a team event. Pros pair up and play four-ball and alternate-shot in two-man teams lending the tourney a unique collegial vibe. The emerald anniversary edition of the tourney, which tees off this week, features three sets of brothers in action, including Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard. And Rory McIlroy has chosen to make his tournament debut here, the four-time major winner will be playing alongside Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry.