SHREVEPORT, La. — Southern Trace Country Club has received national recognition from Golf Inc. magazine, earning third place in the “Remodeled F&B Facility – Private” category of the publication’s 2026 Golden Fork Awards.
The annual competition honors top dining facilities at public and private clubs that have introduced new food and beverage concepts, improved existing spaces, or demonstrated innovation in culinary programming. This year, Golf Inc. recognized 14 venues across its categories.
Southern Trace’s transformation followed a 2020 member-led purchase of the club, which included revitalizing its food and beverage operations and renovating shuttered spaces. The redesigned clubhouse now features four distinct dining areas — Franklin’s, The Magnolia, The Terrace and The Board Room — unified by a theme of “elevated Southern charm.” A central bar connects the venues, creating a social and functional focal point for members.
Menus rotate regularly to emphasize seasonal ingredients and variety, complemented by fine dining launches, wine pairings and themed events. One Golden Fork judge described the new dining space as “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,” said 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.”
Beyond its dining improvements, Southern Trace recently completed a 70,000-square-foot practice facility that includes a double-sided range, multiple practice greens and a short-game area. The Arthur Hills-designed championship course also underwent a full renovation with a new irrigation system, rebuilt greens and re-grassed tee boxes. Additional upgrades include a modernized fitness center, expanded youth space known as Trace Kids and “The Bunker,” an indoor swing suite with TrackMan technology.
Established in 1988, Southern Trace Country Club has hosted major tournaments including the WEB.Com Tour’s Southern Open and multiple state amateur championships. The club is managed by Troon Privé, the private club division of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Troon®, the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company.
More information is available at www.SouthernTraceCC.com.