Closure of the LSU Alexandria course brings to eight those venues here or on the Gulf Coast that I’ve beaten into submission (never breaking par) with less than illustrious play over decades.

Yet the one I, and so many others, began the love-hate relationship called golf with survives.

The Bringhurst course in City Park is holding its annual Spring Scramble, open to golfers of all skill levels, on its nine holes Sunday.

The scramble has two shotgun start times, awards prizes to several places and allows all players to take a walk through seven acres of history.

That history began in the 1920s. In the ‘50s the city could no longer keep it open. Then Francis Trotter leased it as a non-profit enterprise and put it back in business.

The Trotter family — more particularly “Bugs,” then Jamie, operated it until 2006 when giving up the lease. Jamie was also managing the LSUA course at the time and continues to.

Scott Brame Sr. formed the non-profit Friends of Bringhurst in 2008, refurbished the course and opened it in 2010.

Do kids still get dropped there on summer mornings, to be picked up by parents on the way home? Do they still ride bikes there and back on the days it is open?

Do monkeys still howl and big cats roar while players are putting on No. 1 or No. 2? Do visitors at Kramer across Masonic Drive still look on in either shock or awe at some shots?

Location, of course, is something The Brink has that LSUA’s course and others did not.

Rapides 1, Rapides 2, AGCC, Alpine, LSUA — none with the urban access and convenience for young players.

Now, LSUA needs the golf acreage for campus housing and potential auxiliary development.

The change begins in June, while Thursday through Sunday play will proceed at Bringhurst.

To enter or get more information email franktbrame@yahoo.com or call or text 318-447-0646.