Skratch Presents “Adventures in Golf: Prison Golf”

Golf is a game of history and tradition, but behind all of the rules and etiquette are players out on the course to get away from the stress and pressure of their everyday lives. Partnering with our friends at Skratch, SxS is proud to bring you “The Shank brought to you by Skratch,” a look at the lighter side of the game each week. As the folks at Skratch say, “It’s just golf. Try not to take it so seriously” 

Golf is played all around the world.  The richest of the rich play the game, but so do some of the poorest of the poor. However, one place you would never expect to find a nice course is at a maximum security prison. Skratch’s Erik Anders Lang headed to Louisiana for their “Adventures in Golf” series and found Angola Prison and Prison View Golf Course, two things that you would think don’t go very well together.

Under the watch of Warden Burl Cain, Angoloa has become a role model for other maximum security prisons thanks to the reduction of violence and re-entry initiatives at the prison. One of the work options for the prisoners in the Louisiana State Penitentiary was to help build — and now up-keep — the Prison View Golf Course. 

Given the size of the prison — it’s the biggest maximum security prison in the United States and holds 6,300 prisoners and 1,800 staff — Warden Cain wanted to give his prisoners an opportunity to work outside, while also creating a sanctuary for the staffers and their families who live and work nearby.

What came about was Prison View Golf Course. Welcome to golf in jail.

 — — — 

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest goings-on in the world of golf by following the SwingxSwing Clubhouse on social media. We share stories, stats and breaking news on Twitter, keep the fun going off the course on Instagram and share any and all golf-related topics on Facebook.

Never be the odd golfer out when your friends are talking about the latest or funniest happenings in golf. Sign up for the SxS newsletter today!