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2013JOHN TYSONCounts His BlessingsWESTERN AMATEURAlotian Readies ForTop National TournamentSTACY’S YEARUA’s Lewis LeadsLPGA in 20128 Signature HolesQ&AWith State’sTop Exec PlayersCOMPLETECOURSE GUIDEPlan Your RoundA SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TOApril 1, 2013 • VOL. 30 ISSUE 132013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 1

Life in The Natural State is unique. In a good way. There’s fishing and hunting,biking and boating, hiking and – well, just sitting and admiring. And when itcomes to golf, the courses here in Arkansas are part of the natural beauty foundonly in our state. We love it here. That’s why you won’t find us anywhere else.Bank Better.2 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013fsbank.com

194 Signature HolesBeautiful but challenging — some ofthe best layouts from courses aroundthe state.30 Dan SniderTransplanted from Texas, The AlotianClub’s chief operating officer has liveda hall of fame life nurturing courses inArkansas.Publisher Chip TaulbeeEditor Todd TraubArt Director John AtkinsonEDITORIALContributing Editor Jim HarrisAssistant Internet Editors Tre Baker, Mark CarterSALES & MARKETINGVice President of Business Sales Bonnie JacobyAccount Executives Rosemary Bruton, Greg Churan, RebeccaPatton, Carrie SublettAdvertising Coordinators Bekah Caraway, Alex Graham,Kristen HeldenbrandDirector of Marketing Jake SlighMarketing Manager Allyson PittmanMarketing Coordinator Bethany JohnsonDESIGNProduction Manager Tona JollyDigital Operations Specialist Rebekah EvelandSenior Art Director Irene ForbesAdvertising Art Directors Marcus Boyce,Erin Lang, Dean WheelerCIRCULATIONCirculation Manager Dana MeyerADMINISTRATIONChairman & CEO Olivia FarrellGeneral Manager Mitch BettisAccounting Manager Hal LammeyAccounting Assistant Kim ClarkHuman Resources Bill PageChief Operating Officer Chuck BallardChief Information Officer Brent BirchAssociate Publishers Rachel Bradbury, Chip TaulbeeInteractive Editor Lance Turner©2013 Arkansas Business Limited Partnership4210 John TysonTyson Foods Chairman John Tysonwanted his Blessings course in northwestArkansas to be a test of skilland he delivered. Tyson discusseshis favorite golf moments and theinspiration for the course he builtpractically in his own backyard.14 Western AmateurOne of the nation’s top tournamentsrelocates to one of the country’s bestcourses — The Alotian Club in centralArkansas.19 Stacy LewisThe former University of Arkansasgolfer is savoring her breakout yearon the LPGA Tour, which has comecomplete with a role in a newvideo game.24 Executive Q&AArkansas vice chancellor for advancementand one-time Razorback Foundationdirector Chris Wyrick heads our listof business executives sharing theirfavorite golf moments.33 GreystoneResurrectedA popular central Arkansas coursereturns with a dual look that offersgolfers a little more.37 Readers’ ChoiceThe experts decide the top daily feecourses in the state.38 Course ListingsWhere to go to get in a roundin Arkansas.42 The Final ShotThey had all but declared Ben Hoganthe winner of the 1955 U.S. Open.But Jack Fleck had something to sayabout that.ON THE COVER: John Tyson at Blessings CountryClub, by Dero Sanford. Club photo by Tim Hursley.2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 3

Signature HolesThe Alotian ClubNo. 16The acclaimedarchitect TomFazio put all his skills into playthrough the hilly woods ofwestern Pulaski County to makeThe Alotian Club one of thebest golf courses in America.The par 3, No. 16, which playsat 185 yards for members and225 from the tips, is known as“The Wall.” The tee shot froman elevated tee is into a severelysloped green.Grenada GolfCourseNos. 12-13This corner of what is perhapsHot Springs Village’s mostspectacular course providesa memorable pair of holes: apar-5 that, for the conservativegolfer, requires a layup and twoshots over a creek to a severelysloped green; the big hitter cantry for it in two. Then comes anextremely elevated par-3 thatrequires the golfer to know hisdistance with a short iron or endup in trouble. These holes setthe stage for a good finish or acalamitous one.4 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Photos provided by coursesChenal CC,Founders CourseNo. 6The beautifulpar-3 can beseen from behind the green onChenal Parkway, and it crossesa ravine to a green complex thatcan be a putter’s nightmare.The hole appears tame fromthe tee, but miss the greenslightly on either side andyou’ve likely found sand. Missit badly and ask your partnersif you can re-tee. Utter disastersits to the far right of the hole.2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 5

Pleasant ValleyCountry ClubNo. 4Pleasant ValleyCountry Clubhas many holes that might bedeemed “signature,” but no oneforgets the par-5 fourth withthe huge boulder hogging theright side of the fairway. It’sfarther than it appears from thetee. The rest of the hole is uphillto another of Pleasant Valley’sdifficult greens.Red Apple Golfand Country ClubNo. 10The clubredid this greenseveral years back and addedChampion Bermuda to all thegreens, and it’s less severe thanoriginally designed 40-plusyears ago. Still, at 175 yards fromthe tips, it’s a par 3 with bite.The hole still cants somewhatleft to right, and a grass bunkeris in play left of the hole forshots with not enough fade; asand bunker awaits on the rightside. If you’re well right with theshot, you’d better pray the ballfinds the sand, otherwise you’llbe searching a creek for it.6 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Chenal Country ClubBear Den CourseNo. 4The signature ofthis 18-hole courseat Chenal Country Club is Bear DenMountain in the distance behindthe par-3. Even from the “member”tees, this hole can be troublesome,especially with the pin in theback left corner. Water and sandstand in the way of a poorly struckiron shot.2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 7

Isabella GolfCourse,Santa Maria 9No. 9Santa Maria wasan additionalnine holes added to Hot SpringsVillage’s Isabella course afterits tremendous reception whenit opened more than a decadeago. The new nine offers morelength than is seen in the first 18holes, and No. 9 is a real bear of460 yards to close out a round.Voted # 1 Public Golf couRse in ARkAnsAs 2012Championship GolfNestled in the Heart of the Ozarks8 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013870.368.3280Melbourne, ARcoopershawkgolf.com

TexarkanaCountry ClubNo. 18Byron Nelsonworked oneyear at TCC in the 1930s onhis way up the professionalladder to greatness, but healways held an affinity for thecourse he referred to as “LittleAugusta” and was occasionallya stopping off point for himfrom Dallas to The Masters.The course has the cathedralpines and a great design, butit’s the walk up No. 18 with theclassic, white clubhouse in thebackground that will conjurethoughts of Augusta.More...of what you expect!501.941.444457 Greystone Blvd. Cabot, ARChampionship golf Course • pro shop • praCtiCe faCilities • the 9’ s restaurant and bargolfgreystonecc.com2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 9

My TurnThe Blessings of GolfAs Told To Jim HarrisJohnTyson:About the same time Stephens Inc.chief executive officer Warren Stephenswas putting together his Alotian Clubin central Arkansas, another man withmeans in northwest Arkansas had asimilar idea for an exquisitely designed,exclusive, private course in his neck of thewoods.John Tyson, chairman of Tyson FoodsInc., wanted his golfing friends in the areato have a dynamic challenge but withgorgeous views and the meandering ClearCreek — literally in his backyard — inplay. In 2004 he unveiled Blessings, whichhas been ranked among the best coursesin the state.Talk about a challenge. College golfersand other outstanding players immediatelylabeled Blessings the hardest coursein the region from its tips, though Tysonsaid some tweaking over the past eightyears has softened it somewhat.Robert Trent Jones Jr. and his designteam accepted Tyson’s challenge to createa difficult test. Along with the course,Blessings was blessed with an award-winningclubhouse design by Marlon Blackwell,a University of Arkansas professor,which blended tradition with a modernapproach.Last year, Warren Stephens sat downwith Executive Golfer’s Jim Harris to discusshis love of golf and his motivationsfor building the Alotian Club. This year,Tyson agreed to take that seat oppositeHarris to discuss the what golf has meantto him, where the game has taken him,his creation of the acclaimed Blessingsin Johnson (between Fayetteville andSpringdale) and what he hopes to seefrom the game in Arkansas in comingyears.What follows are John Tyson’s views ongolf, in his own words:I actually started playing golf when Iwas 8 or 9, long before I went to work forthe company. At the time, Springdale hada little nine-hole course and it was prettymuch outside of town. You could put yourbag on your shoulder and have a senseof freedom. It’s probably why presidentsplayed golf; it’s gives them that little senseof getting away for a while.My dad didn’t play. He fished. I playedin college and I’d travel and play. It waswhere I’d go to be with my friends, myclose friends. We created some travel golftrips to Europe, which were very enjoyable.Life is not perfect and golf sure ain’tperfect. There are a lot of similarities. Justas soon as you think you get it right in life,you screw up, and just as soon as you getit right at golf, it goes bad. When you thinkyou have it, you don’t, but you still keepgoing back out there to get it right. That’swhy we do it.You think about what you’re goingto name a course as you’re building it.We talked about it coming along out ofthe creek with the birds and trees andthings, and we were just rambling alongand one day it felt like the good Lord justsaid, “You’re blessed. You’ve got so manyblessings. You’ve got the blessing of beingoutside, of being around your friends.” Itbecame very clear, a very apropos name.We had this land for a while. WhenI’d fly in an airplane over it, I’d think,“That looks like a nice piece of land tohave a golf course.” When you were firston the land, before there is a golf course,you could look around and there’s sixor eight holes right there. I always hadan interest in architecture and building,per se. I’d been thinking about building10 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Tyson Foods Inc. Chairman John Tyson andThe Blessings, the course he helped build innorthwest Arkansas. The Robert Trent JonesJr.-designed layout stands as a challengeto all comers while the modern clubhousesports an award-winning look created byUniversity of Arkansas professor andarchitect Marlon Blackwell.Photos: Dero Sanford and Tim Hursley.a golf course and finally decided to pullthe trigger and create a golf course that iscompetitive and has all the aspects of thegame of golf in it. I’ve been fortunate tobe able to do it and to be able to give backto the college game, to the [University ofArkansas] teams out here, to watch theRazorback men’s and women’s teamsplay here.My house was here. I owned about180 acres already. Most of the raw landwas around my private residence. I’d ridearound on a four-wheeler just checkingout the land, driving around Clear Creek… My golf ball does wind up in that creekoccasionally … Around 1997 or ’98, mythought was to maybe sell the propertybut things were pretty pricey. So it waseither to sell out at that time and I’d haveto move to another property, or keep it, soI went ahead and kept the land.Jerry Pate came through with hisdesign team. Jack Nicklaus’ people camethrough. A couple of the design groups,I eliminated because of where they hadtheir price points. Robert Trent Jones Jr.came out and visited. The critical pointin that process was his assistant BruceCharlton. Bruce did most of the work;that’s who I had most of my dealings with.We’d adjust and tweak and had a partnershipof working together. A lot of peoplesay, they got one hole built and I ruinedthe other 17 of them. (Laughing).A lot of courses are designed to beplayer-friendly or resort-friendly. Iwanted to put the game of golf back intothe golf course. I wanted to have varyingsets of tees for different skill levels. If youcan’t drive it 280 yards or need the fairway50 yards wide, maybe you need to get to atee box that better fits your game.The changes we’ve made in recentyears, most of them have been mythoughts, along with talking to Bruce andBobby and getting feedback from players,getting anecdotal information. Someadjustments were done to help the visualexperience and to help with the maintenanceof the course. … We’ve madea tweak to the course every year. We’realways making tweaks and adjustments,then we look at it and make more tweaksand adjustments. … It’s a nice golf course.I think those golfers that played it earlyon, they might have found it very difficult.When we were building this course, wetalked about the philosophy of the gameand what the land would give us andwhat the angles would be like. A greatcourse is one that forces you to play all 14clubs in your bag. A brilliant golf course isone that forces you to play a 3-wood fromthe fairway, and a 3-iron, and maybe usea driver on a hole to drive the green. Whatwe thought was, how do you put the gameof golf back into the course?You can really see the technologythat has come into the game and howit has changed the game. Right beforewe started building the course and it wasdesigned, the turning point for driveswas like 260-265 yards. When we startedbuilding it, we moved that turning point(the area where drives were expectedto land) to 275-280 yards. It’s amazingthat the turning point now has gone pastwhere it was when we opened. I wastalking to some people the other day,talking to an architect. Now the newturning point is 300 yards or more. We’veadded one or two back tees, made someadjustments because of that. We justdon’t want two different golf courses, onefrom the back tees and a different one forthe shorter tees. For folks like me we’llget to our second shot and we’re getting2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 11

out a lofted club. Those are the technicaltweaks that have come along.I don’t really talk about how much I’vespent on the course. It’s like a big gardenfor me. It’s a labor of love. … I’m happywe’ve been able to make a special place.I’ve gotten to play some other golf courses,and what I’ve learned is, the downsideof being an owner of a golf course is yousee everything that’s wrong. Sometimes Iplay a course and can see what I would dodifferent. I believe we have a really goodgolf course here.The members appreciate that it’s alabor of love. I have taken some of theblessings I’ve gotten and made some adjustmentsthat the members don’t have toworry about. My members are very supportive.They see me doing all of the work.I’ve absorbed most of the costs.Having an AJGA (American Junior GolfAssociation) regional event, the firsttournament we had, allowed us tointroduce the course to junior golfers.That meant the conversations about thecourse could be inside the junior ranks.After that first event, we had the AJGARolex here. Not too long ago, I was overin Scotland playing at St. Andrews in theDunhill Cup, it’s like the AT&T [PebbleBeach Pro-Am] here as far as amateursgo. I was playing with some young man,a professional over there. He was amongsome of the Europeans who had beenplaying amateur or college golf in the U.S.He told me, “I played in that Rolex tournament,and it was the hardest golf courseI ever played.”It got our golf course inside the conversationsof the juniors. I believe it’sbeen a shot in the arm for [Razorback golfcoaches] Shauna [Estes-Taylor] and Brad[McMakin], who are two great coachesand has helped them recruit. Last year,we had the SEC women’s championship,which we got by rotation among theschools. At the time, each school had tohold it near their campus once. Then webid on the NCAA men’s regional, whichwe’ll have in May.We did bid on the Women’s NCAA too.I want to seek some of the USGA events.We’ll put a bid out in the future for theappropriate event.I have talked to some people abouthaving a PGA event, but the first questionthey ask is, are you willing to spend thatkind of money? The question then is, areyou willing to spend the same amountof money to put your golf course backtogether after the event is over? It reallyspeaks to how much you have to spendto have an event like a PGA tournament… There is number [of dollars] to host it,then the number to put your course backtogether. You can probably imagine howmuch that would be, and that’s the numberthat stands out to me. And you have todo that on your own, the [PGA] tournamentdoesn’t help you. The course has toabsorb the cost.We do host a First Tee event here withWal-Mart vendors. Our relationship withWal-Mart and Mike Duke to help this FirstTee chapter is special. I like working withthe different eventsAs for the clubhouse, I would like tosay I was hands off , but anybody whoknows me would know that isn’t true.I looked at three or four differentdesigns. I visited with some people whospecialized in traditional clubhouses andsaw some of the visions they had for it.What I was seeing didn’t match what Iwas looking for. Marlon Blackwell, who isat the University of Arkansas and is one ofthe best architects around, had done a remodelof my house. So, it was kind of nota true competition but three or four greatarchitects put their ideas down andI became more drawn to Marlon’s.Our goal was, how do you bring theoutside into the clubhouse and when youare seeing out those windows, how do youbring the inside out to that. There was arelation of being on the outside, looking atthe vistas, the landscape of Arkansas.The entire course, I wanted it to letyou feel Arkansas. It’s a lot like walkingthrough the Arkansas woods, a manicuredcarpet. We’ve maintained the experienceof northwest Arkansas and whatthe environment is like.I’ll take lessons from my generalmanager, Tom Jones, who was an All-American golfer in college. And Brad andShauna and their assistants, they will giveme advice when I ask. But what I’m usuallytold is, “You have paralysis of analysis.”My handicap is supposed to be an 8or 9, but in truth it’s mostly toward a 14 or15. We’ve been busy a lot lately.I want to play more golf but it doesn’twork out that way. My dad’s mantra was,work two weeks a month and fish theother two.My dad didn’t play golf. He played twoholes and said it was too slow.Tyson weighed a handful of clubhouse optionsbefore he settled on Blackwell’s look, which strivesto bring the outside to the inside. Thanks to thedesign, the experience of being in northwestArkansas is incorporated into the interior.My best golfing experience has tobe getting the opportunity to playSt. Andrews on a Sunday. If you know thegame, you know that no golf is played onSunday at St. Andrews. The only time it isopen for play on Sunday is the last roundof the British Open and the final round ofthe Dunhill Cup [a pro-am]. You are oneof just a few golfers out playing St. Andrewsthat day. Playing in the Dunhill Cupand making the cut with my partner hasbeen a great experience. I’ve made the cutseveral times with my pro.I’m starting to play golf around differentplaces, and just being able to play golfanytime, anywhere is special. But probablythe best course is St. Andrews. Therehave only probably been maybe less than100 rounds of golf played at St. Andrewson a Sunday. It’s a small fraternity and Iknow I’m not going to make it in the BritishOpen or the Senior British Open.I enjoyed playing in Scotland.Carnoustie. St. Andrews. Dornoch up onthe north of Scotland. I remember playingNairn, in Scotland. Butch Davis, Clark12 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Irwin and Woody Bassett were with me.It’s a typical Scottish day, the wind waswhipping us around.After three or four holes, one of ourcaddies said, “Even us locals would beinside and drinking by now.” Those arethe memories that get made playing thisgame.I remember we were staying at a hotel,and the closets here would be bigger thansome of the hotel’s rooms. That’s whatmakes golf, traveling with your buddies,your friends, and those you care about.Warren [Stephens] and I were bothvery blessed. He loves the game of golf,I love the game of golf. We’ve both builtfacilities that have enhanced the game.I look around and junior golf in Arkansasis probably not as far along as in someother states. Kids have so many otherthings to do. But First Tee is exposingmore kids to the game and is trying toget the numbers up.No doubt the numbers are dwindling.Golf became part of real estate plays a fewyears back, and that all changed. I thinksome of those [players] will come back.How Low Will They Go?Blessings Site of NCAA Men’s RegionalJohn Tyson’s Blessings course in Johnson hasentertained some of the top junior golfers in thecountry in recent summers, and in spring of 2011the course played host to the Southeastern ConferenceWomen’s Championship.The club’s biggest event to date is coming May16-18, when the NCAA Division I Men’s Regional,will be staged at the Blessings. The NCAA has sixregionals for qualification to the finals at Atlanta’sCapital City Club.Arkansas’ golf team, led by Coach Brad McMakin,reached the regional round last year and would be anatural draw for the tournament this spring, shouldthe Hogs receive an invite from the NCAA.The field won’t be known until after conferencechampionships are decided, but fans might alsoexpect other top teams from the region, includingTexas, which won the national championship lastyear over Alabama.“We’ve got bets among the members alreadyabout how low they’ll go,” Tyson said. “We’re not reallysure what ‘low’ is, but it will be interesting to seewhat kind of scores the best college golfers put up.”— By Jim HarrisHole #18 at PVCCM VMeetingVenueGreatV eValuationroomseValuationExcellent staffGreat food choicesand presentationAbility to have meetingAND play golfHole #5 at PVCCPVCC BoardroomVoted #1 place to hold business meetings by Arkansas Business readerscall 501-975-3251 to book your next business meeting at pleasant Valley country club www.pleasantvalleycountryclub.net2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 13

Western AmateurA ShowcaseFor Stephens’Alotian ClubBy Jim HarrisThis summer casual golf fans willhave the rare opportunity of seeing theAlotian Club in person, and they’ll be ableto watch how Golf Digest’s 14th-rankedcourse in the nation tests the best amateursin the world.The Western Golf Association soughtout Warren Stephens’ exclusive golf enclavefor its prestigious Western Amateurtournament, which typically has beenstaged at top courses in the Chicago areaand last year drew a field from 13 countries.In fact, for 43 years the Western Amhas not been played outside the Chicagoarea or away from its previous permanentresidence, Michigan’s Point O’ WoodsGolf and Country Club.Stephens, in a January interview alongsideAlotian COODan Snider, saidhe welcomed theopportunity for hiscourse to play hostto such an event anddisplay Alotian on anational stage.The Western Amateurwill be playedJuly 29-Aug. 4.“It’s a great honor,”said Stephens, CEO of Stephens Inc. “Youlook at what they call their Sweet 16, lookat their past winners, and it’s a who’s whoof the PGA Tour.“And as we learned more about theWestern Golf Association and what theydo with their [Chick] Evans Scholarship,to host this is great for the club and greatfor Arkansas.”The Alotian Club operates a caddyprogram in which caddies can qualify for‘‘ It’s a tremendoushonor for Alotian,Little Rock and thestate for the AlotianClub to be hosting theWestern Amateur.’’– Jay Fox2012 Western Amateur champion Chris Williams hits out of trouble on his way to a 1-upvictory and medalist honors in the event held at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park, Ill.the WGA’s Chick Evans Scholarship. TwoAlotian caddies have gone on to earn fullcollege scholarships.The preparation for hosting the tournamentstarted even before it was officiallyannounced last year.Snider said changesto the 7,480-yard, par-72 course were minorand mostly involvedgrowing the rough sothe fairways could benarrowed at expectedlanding areas.“We’ve never reallyhad any rough at theclub … we did it lastyear so it could grow in this year,” Stephenssaid.Course designer Tom Fazio advised onalterations to strengthen the challenge forthe amateurs, and he sent in his right-handman, Andy Banville, to observe on site.“We also wanted to address pace-ofplayissues,” Stephens said, noting thefield will begin with 156 players.The Western Amateur is an invitationonlyevent. The WGA bases its invitationson world amateur golf rankings and willalso extend invitations to golfers outsidethose rankings, particularly those who nolonger play college golf.College golfers tend to dominate theworld amateur rankings.Little Rock resident Mark Bartlett, whospent time after college playing PGA Tourand other pro events before regaining hisamateur status, was one of those inviteeslast year to Exmoor Country Club in upscaleHighland Park, Ill.“I want to tell you, that tournament …absolutely blew me away,” said Bartlett,44. “The organization, the hospitality, it allwas as good as any tournament I’ve everbeen to, including PGA Tour events, and Ididn’t expect that.“I hope I get an invite again this year,and if I don’t then I will volunteer andpass on the good fortune that I felt fromthose guys in Chicago at Exmoor.”The Alotian Club will sell transferablepasses to the general public, costing $100for the entire six days of play, the weekafter the Masters Tournament concludesin April. Sales will also be online.The Western Amateur may be the14 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

WGA photo by Chales Cherney Photo by Mike PirniqueThe Alotian Club is the site for this year’s Western Amateur Championship, which over theyears has turned out notable players like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard.toughest grind next to PGA Tour qualifyingschool. The 156 entrants compete intwo rounds of stroke play during the firsttwo days, then the field is cut to the top 44plus ties.After two more rounds of stroke play,the top 16 players advance to the Western’sfabled Sweet 16 for match play.The winner and runner-up of the Westernwill have played eight rounds of golfover six days.Former Arkansas Razorback golferEthan Tracy upset the heralded formeramateur turned pro Patrick Cantlay in the2011 Western Amateur.“Just think about this. We had theSouthern Amateur last year at Chenal[Country Club] and the Western is comingthis year,” said Arkansas State GolfAssociation Executive Director Jay Fox. “Ithink they say it’s the third largest amateurtournament in the United States.“Just think about the economic impactthe Southern and now this tournamentbrings to Little Rock. We get to show offthe state, the beauty of Alotian to peoplewho have probably never seen Alotian.It’s a tremendous, tremendous honor forAlotian, Little Rock and the state for theAlotian Club to be hosting the WesternAmateur.”Prepping the CourseSnider said the Alotian Club has 21committees with members and volunteersto cover the various aspects of puttingon a major tournament. The WesternGolf Association will also provide volunteerofficials for the tourney operation.All told, the number of volunteersinvolved may top 700.About 40 to 50 of the amateurs will requireprivate housing while in Little Rock,Stephens said.Committees will oversee everythingfrom tournament scoring and marshalingto security, medical, spotters, transportation,merchandise and media.Charging for admission and sellingWESTERN INFLUENCEThe Western Amateur’s Sweet Sixteen qualifiers,including such eventual winners as Tigers Woods,Phil Mickelson and Justin Leonard, have gone on toelite status in golf. Over the years, members of theSweet Sixteen have accomplished the following:• 29 of the last 35 PGA TOUR Player of the Year awards• 12 of the top 20 on the PGA TOUR career money list• 28 major championship winners for a totalof 73 major championships• 13 events on the 2010 PGA TOUR schedule• 7 participants in the 2010 Ryder Cup• 15 of the last 19 U.S. Amateur Championsadvertising to the tournament programwill offset some of the club’s cost in puttingon the tournament, Stephens said,and also any leftover money can go to theWestern’s Evans Scholarship.“We’re not really sure of the interest,”he said. “The Western would be ecstatic ifwe sold 1,500 tickets. We think there willbe a curiosity factor that people will wantto come see the tournament here. We’llhave 2,500 tickets printed, and if therewas by chance more demand, then wecould do more.”Logistics figure in limiting the crowd,and parking outside Alotian’s gates isproblematic; in early January, the clubwas still looking at four possible sites(including Pinnacle Mountain State Parkand two area high schools) to park carsand run shuttles to the club.“We wanted to make the tournamentas accessible as we could,” Snider said.Alotian members will surrender theirlockers to the competitors the week of thetournament. They probably won’t haveto give playing privileges, though, untilthe week before the event, Stephens andSnider said.July in ArkansasOne of the first concerns Stephensexpressed to the inquiring Western GolfAssociation officials was: Did they knowhow hot Arkansas can get in late July?“We will do everything we can to makesure the participants and their caddiesare well taken care of,” Stephens said.“We’ll have multiple places on the courseand concession stands for them to stayhydrated.”One of the concessions to the heat,Snider said, was adding another day tothe tournament so golfers would onlyplay 18 holes a day over thestroke-play portion of theevent.“You’ve also got to consider,though, that many ofthese players will be collegegolfers who are used toplaying many holes in oneday,” Snider said.But are they used to thewalking challenge Alotianwill present?The course will answersome of that by carting golfersbetween some extendedand hilly areas of thecourse, Stephens said.“We have some prettytough walks from the greento the next tee,” he said.With its premium air green-coolingsystem, the course should not have troubledealing with the extreme heat that hasplagued Arkansas courses in recent summers.Alotian uses a bentgrass strain, A-4,that Stephens and Snider said offers thebest putting surface available year-round.“The defense of Alotian will be thegreens and the elevation changes,”Stephens said.Contrasting Exmoor with Alotian,which he also has played, Bartlett said,“Honestly, they are as different as golf2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 15

Heat could be a factor when the WesternAmateur comes to the Alotian Club in July.courses as you could find. Both are inincredibly great condition, but they arecompletely, completely different in playability.”Bartlett expects Alotian to shine in thespotlight.“I think they will be blown away byAlotian,” he said. “The beauty of the golfcourse is unbelievable. The staff, the serviceand what Mr. Snider and how he runstournaments and events, it will be a veryimpressive display.”The Alotian superintendent crew, ledby Justin Sims, in concert with Fazio’sman Banfill, has determined how theshape of the second cut of El Toro zoysiarough should fit with the bunkering. Pinpositions will be determined based onweather conditions and pace of play.“We want all the par-5s to play as muchas possible as three-shot holes,” Stephenssaid. “We don’t think the eighth hole willplay that way, but that’s OK.”Club members and a select few mighthave seen some of the great pros — pastWestern Am winners Tiger Woods andPhil Mickelson to name two — play Alotianwhen Stephens put on the JacksonT. Stephens Charitable Trust tournamentover a five-year period. Otherwise, thismay be the only chance for people to seethe course and how skilled internationalgolfers tackle it.16 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Chris Williams hoists the George R. ThorneTrophy presented by Western Golf AssociationChairman Jim Bunch after Williams’ WesternAmateur victory.“Yes, it’s a great way to open the clubto the public in a limited way,” Stephenssaid. “We’re not limiting it because wedon’t want to have people see it. We justhave limited facilities. We’re not builtto hold big crowds, but it’s a nice way toopen it to golf fans and to support amateurgolf as well.”WGA photo by Chales CherneyNO SKINNY STEAKS.Where Little Rock Goes to Taste PerfectionHappy Hour Mon-Fri 5-6:30 • Free Valet parking • piano Bar tues-sat • award winning wine listFine spirits FroM around tHe world • inQuire aBout our Corporate lunCHesAlotian Not ImmuneTo Winter ProblemsMany golf courses in central Arkansastook a winter hit from the iceand snow that inundated the regionat Christmastime, mostly in the wayof lost trees.The Alotian Club, site of this year’sWestern Amateur, was not immune;in fact, its location near the largestsnowfall accumulation in the state,just a few miles east of Perry County,led to major tree damage and loss.“We probably lost 1,000 trees,”club owner Warren Stephens said inJanuary. “Most of them, in fact noneof them, are very significant to play.But we’ve got a lot of work to do.“Most disheartening to me and toDan [Snider, the course chief operatingofficer] too is a lot of trees thatwere planted in the entryway of themain gate and were only 8 ½ years inand looked beautiful, they are nowtorn up.”Stephens said most of the treedamage was aesthetic, such as brokentops of trees and dangling limbs.“Those are problems we’re notequipped to get to,” he said. “We’rewaiting our turn for the tree companiesto get to us. We need those out,but you’ve got every golf course intown that has that issue.”— Jim Harris5 0 0 PRESI D ENT CL INTO N AV E N U E ( I N TH E R I V E R MARK ET D ISTRI C T )CALL FOR R ESERVATIONS 501.324.2999 • S O NNYWIL LIAM S S TEA KROO M . C O MYOUR DAILY DOSEof BUSINESS NEWSRIght tO YOUR INBOxSign up for the free ArkAnSAS BuSineSS dAily report.Visit ArkansasBusiness.com.2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 17

Lewis had several dominant performances asshe built her career earnings to $4.5 million.continue on from there, but itdidn’t happen that way for me.Every time you win, though,you learn something more.Out here you can always learnsomething and you try to getthat much better every day.”Lewis’ mighty 2012 seasonincreased her career earningsto a whopping $4.5 million.“It’s crazy to me that therehasn’t been an Americanplayer be player of the year inso many years,” she said. “Itwas really cool to be presentedthat and to get the award fromBeth Daniel in Florida, to haveher present that to me.”Daniel, the last Americanto win the Rolex Player of theYear Award, in 1994, was oneof Lewis’ idols when she wasgrowing up in the Houstonsuburb The Woodlands.Lewis gave an inkling of herpotential stardom as a collegejunior when she finished fifthin the Kraft Nabisco Championship.In the first NWAChampionship at Rogers’Pinnacle Country Club, andstill a Razorback, she was theunofficial winner when theAfter battling scoliosis early in her life, Lewis donates tothe Scoliosis Research Society, her designated charity.Lewis’ mighty 2012season increased hercareer earnings to awhopping $4.5 million.event was rained out.After turning pro she competedin the LPGA’s Tour qualifyingand was the third-placefinisher in her first professionalouting in the 2008 U.S.Women’s Open. Before turningpro, she went unbeaten infive matches in the Curtis Cupin 2008 (no player had everaccomplished the feat). Lewisfinished 3 shots ahead of thefield in the Q-School tournament,easily ensuring a spoton the Tour that most thoughtwas a certainty anyway.Her breakthrough victorycame just under three yearslater as she fended off Tseng inthe 2011 Kraft held in SouthernCalifornia. Lewis showedher toughness, getting up anddown under pressure whileputting the heat right back onTseng, who had taken over theLPGA’s dominant-player rolefrom Lorena Ochoa.It was Tseng who uncharacteristicallyfell apart in thefinal holes, and Lewis took thetraditional victory leap into thelake beside the No. 18 green,THE BIG YEARLewis In 20124 Victories3 Runner-up finishes16 Top 10 finishes$1.87 million in earnings3 Tour ranking in earnings260 Average yards per drive19 Tour rank in driving1 Tour rank in birdies(392 total)1 Tour rank in eagles (12)1 Tour rank in roundsin the 60swith her family joining in.Though she didn’t win amajor in 2012, Lewis dominatedin several performances,showcasing more power ratherrelying on just her accuracy.“My ball striking got a lotbetter,” Lewis said. “I was a lotmore solid, it wasn’t going asfar off line. From winning themajor to now and with moresolid ball-striking, my shortgame and putting has takenme to another level.”Lewis started playing atage 8 while growing up in theWoodlands and has overcomescoliosis, a curvature of thespine that could have beendebilitating, and likely careerthreatening, without surgery.Lewis, who had worn a backbrace for 7 1/2 years, had anoperation before her freshmanseason at Arkansas in which atitanium rod and five screwswere implanted in her back.In November, Lewis andBetsy King won a combined$60,000 in a charity event, thesame weekend Lewis receivedher LPGA Player of the Yearaward. Part of those winningswent to Lewis’ designatedcharity, the Scoliosis ResearchSociety. Then she donated anadditional $20,000.“I work out a lot and takecare of my back,” she said.“Knock on wood, I have noissues.”Born on Feb. 16, Lewis, 28,was inducted into the statesports Hall of Fame in earlyMarch.“My agent called me andtold me and I said, ‘Are yousure? Is it time for that?’ ”she said. “It’s an honor to beincluded in the Hall of Famewith past people and to be oneof the youngest ever.”She hopes to add plentymore to that already impressiveHall of Fame resume,starting this season.“I just want to keep doingthe same things I’ve beendoing, giving myself a chanceto win on Sundays,” she said.“I’m looking forward to makingthe Solheim Cup team,then the majors, to be incontention at the majors andto give myself chances to winon the last day.”What Lewis is most certainof is that she’s yet to play herbest golf.20 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Connected to FayettevilleGolfer Stacy Lewis donated at least $100,000to the University of Arkansas athletic departmentduring the off-season and was honored asa member of the A Club — former athletes whocontribute at least $100,000 to the school — inNovember at a Razorback football game.“The University has given me so much andthat’s why I’m in the position I am now,” Lewissaid of the donation.Besides giving back financially to the UA,she remains invested in the women’s golf team,visiting with the current Razorbacks and coachShauna Estes-Taylor when Lewis is back oncampus.“I was in town in November, and the girls onthe team had tons of questions,” Lewis said. “Wetalked for about an hour. Just for them to havesomeone to look up to and have questions forme, that’s something I didn’t have when I wason the team — someone who was familiar withthe LPGA and getting to the next level.“I want to get more Razorbacks out on Tourwith me.”Some current Razorbacks who might havean LPGA future, Lewis said, include junior EmilyTubert and two freshmen from Mexico, GabrielaLopez and Regena Plascensia.Tubert played in the LPGA’s NWA Championshiplast year.“She can hit it pretty far,” Lewis said. “If shecan get her irons going consistently and get herball straightened out, she’s going to go far.”The return of the LPGA to Northwest Arkansasthis year will be June 21-23, a shift from theSeptember dates of the past few years, with proams,practice rounds and early events beginningJune 17.Lewis, who has yet to officially win the eventbut was the unofficial winner when the tourneywas rained out in 2007, never lacks for fans, andHog calls regularly break out around the course.“I’m a Razorback and went to school there. Allthe girls on Tour, the girls joke that they alwaysknow what hole I’m on from the crowd’s reaction,”Lewis said.“If there’s a tournament outside a major that Iwould really want to win, that would be the one.I want to be in contention coming down the end.I’m excited to be coming back.”— By Jim HarrisPINNACLE COUNTRY CLUBShoot undeR paR.Stay undeR budget.The Rogers, Arkansas, area is home to eight challenging golf courses andan array of hotels that make it the ideal destination for a golf getaway.Plus, when you book your room through us, we’ll welcome you with a$25 American Express gift card to use at Pinnacle Hills Promenade forshopping, dining and entertainment.Scan this code or go to bit.ly/ZJ0Rnbto check out our hotel packages and torequest a free copy of The Good LifeMagazine, your visitors guide to Rogers. 800-364-12402013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 21

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EverythingFOR YOUR ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.ARKANSAS2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 23

Executive ActionBUSINESSLEADERSTALK GOLFRandy ColemanTitle/Company: Of Counsel to Jack NelsonJones & Bryant, P. A., AttorneysHandicap: 4How much do you play? On average, onceor twice a month, with occasional rangepractice.When did you take up thegame? When — age 10. Myparents lived across what isnow Rebsamen Park Roadfrom the old RiverdaleCountry Club. From ourback porch I could see thegolf couse. The scene wasalways beautiful and invitingto me. I borrowed a setof clubs from a neighborand played a round at WarMemorial Park, not asbeautiful or inviting butavailable. Never will forget,shot 125; but was hookedon the individual competitionof the game. Then,when Rebsamen Park GolfCourse opened in 1957,I could readily get to thatcourse on my bike. Golfalso presented an opportunityfor a college education.Where do you play? Pleasant ValleyCountry Club.What’s your best score in competition (andif you want, add your best score just playingaround)? A 66 at the original Paradise ValleyGolf Course in Fayetteville.Career holes in one (and where, if you want tobe specific). One time on No. 24 at PVCC.If you had to choose one state amateurpartner in a four-ball, who would that be?My childhood friend Rick Beard. He is agreat competitor.Over the years Randy Colemanand son Brooks have enjoyedfather-son events.What PGA pro would you choose? Who wouldnot take Tiger Woods first in a draft?Favorite golf movie? Tin Cup.What’s your best golf memory? There areseveral and all revolve around the people inthe game. First was learning the game fromPaul Lewis. Second, receiving an athleticscholarship to play Southwest Conferencegolf for the Razorbacks. Third, playing in father-sontournaments withmy son, Brooks. Fourth,playing St Andrews for thefirst time with my childhoodfriend Rick Beard ona golf trip given by my wifefor my 50th birthday.If you couldn’t be playinggolf, you’d be . . .?Snow skiing or sailing.What type clubs do you play/prefer? I currently play witha Ping G20 driver, a TitlestF909 3-wood; Adams ironsand Cleveland wedges (48,52 and 56 degrees). I prefera steel shafted, blade typeiron. But advanced age andlack of frequent play preventstheir effective use.What’s the best courseyou’ve played? San FrancisoGolf Club or Pebble Beach.What’s the course you’d love to play that youhaven’t? Augusta National.What’s the best hole in Arkansas? No. 19 atPleasant Valley Country Club.Who is the best business exec golfer in Arkansas?For a person alleged to have a full timejob practicing law, probably Joey Nichols.24 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Sharon Vogelpohl, left, and her father Ed Tallach,right, with 1955 U.S. Open winner Jack Fleck.Sharon Tallach VogelpohlTitle/Company: President/Mangan HolcombPartnersHandicap: +25How much do you play? The charity tournamentcircuit, plus a few client and familyoutings each year.Why did you take up the game? My father, EdTallach, was a PGA pro in the mid-1970s,so I literally “grew up on a golf course”— a small public course in Bismarck thatthe family still owns called Caddo Creek.Ironically, I never played golf, but playedpractically every other sport competitively,including tennis and volleyball on the D-Ilevel. My Dad never insisted I play golf competitively,but he did insist that I learn thebasics and etiquette of the game so I wouldbe prepared for the business world. I amvery thankful for that. It has served me well.Where do you play? Wherever the charityscramble of the month is being held.Diamante, Belvedere and, of course, CaddoCreek with the family.What’s your best score in competition (andif you want, add your best score just playingaround)? I rarely play 18 regulation holesand keep score. Let’s just say I’ve broken 100a few times.If you had to choose one state amateur partnerin a four-ball, who would that be? LadiesEvent: Gaye Lanford, first female presidentof the ASGA and as consistent as they come.Mixed Event: Ralph Williams, ASGA hall-offamerand at Clark County Hospital the dayI was born.What’s your best golf memory? Beingco-champions of the 1999 ASGA Father/Daughter Championship at Harbor Oaks inPine Bluff. That is the one tournament myDad and I always try to play in together.What type clubs do you play/prefer?When I was first learning, my Dad only letus carry a 5-iron and a putter. He’d say,“when you can hit it straight for 100 yardsconsistently, I’ll let you have another club.”As infrequently as I play, I should probablyonly carry my Maxfli VHL 5-iron and Bulletputter . . . adding my Titleist driver withAldila shaft.What’s the best course you’ve played?I was traveling Europe on my 21st birthdayand had the opportunity to play a smalllinks course outside of Edinburgh, Scotland.That was the first time I walked 18 by myself,playing it “down” and carrying a bag of ricketyrental clubs. It was a unique experienceand what I think the inventers of the gamehad in mind. I shot a 103.What’s the course you’d love to play that youhaven’t? I was in the gallery at Pebble Beachwatching my Dad as a very young child, andwould love to play it, of course. But, The FirstTee of Central Arkansas is on my list for thisyear. My firm had the privilege of assistingwith the grand opening of the facility in2001 that featured George H. Bush, ArnoldPalmer and Mr. Jack and the generous Stephensfamily whose vision and generosityhas brought the discipline and joy of golf tomany young people throughout the state. Iremember having to battle gale-force windsto avoid “unexpectedly” unveiling FirstTee’s iconic bronze statue before my cue. Ilook forward to playing this course with mychildren.What’s the best hole in Arkansas? All theholes at Diamante the day that I had theopportunity to play the course with my Dad,my business partner Steve Holcomb and1955 U.S. Open Champion Jack Fleck. I believeJack was 88 at the time, but we playedit from the tips.Who is the best business exec golfer inArkansas? Louis Lee — 2011 U.S. Amateursenior champion (State Farm Insurance,Heber Springs).Richard HenryTitle/Company: SeniorVice-President, StephensInsurance, LLCHandicap: 8How much do you play? Inthe warm months, 2-3 timesper month.Why did you take up the game? I played tennisgrowing up, but when I got to college, Ipicked up golf because it was just easier tofind golf partners than tennis partners.Where do you play?Country Club of Little Rock.What’s your best score in competition (andif you want, add your best score just playingaround)? I’ve never played in a stroke-playtournament format, but have shot 73 a fewtimes with friends.Career holes in one (and where, if you want tobe specific). I have one, and it was on No. 11at CCLR. Afterwards, Junior Lewis was in theMen’s Grill and asked me some questions,and a week later gave me a trophy with thehole, distance, club used. That was prettyneat coming from him, and it meant a lotto me.If you had to choose one state amateur partnerin a four-ball, who would that be? My cousinand buddy, William Clark.What PGA pro would you choose?Dustin Johnson.Favorite golf movie? Caddyshack.What’s your best golf memory? The WalterDaniels Father/Son tournaments with mydad Rick Henry.If you couldn’t be playing golf, you’d be . . .?Hanging out with my wife and kids or grillingin the backyard.What type clubs do you play/prefer? Titleist.What’s the course you’d love to play that youhaven’t? Pebble Beach.What’s the best hole in Arkansas?No. 6 at Alotian — beautiful hole.Who is the best business exec golfer inArkansas? Stan Payne.2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 25

Rusty ArmstrongTitle/Company: Executive broker, ERA HenleyReal EstateHandicap: 17How much do you play? I play three to fourtimes a week spring to fall and about once aweek in the winter.When did you take up the game?I started playing about 20 years ago when Istarted playing on holidays with a big groupof friends. I was the worst one but it got mehooked.Where do you play? Rebsamen Park GolfCourse.What’s your best score in competition (andif you want, add your best score just playingaround)? My best scores are 82 in competitionand 79 in weekly golf but those are notnormal.Career holes inone (and where,if you want to bespecific). None,just near misses.If you had tochoose one stateamateur partnerin a four-ball, whowould that be?Kenny Williams,retired, we maynot win but it willbe a lot of fun.What PGA prowould you choose? Bubba Watson.Favorite golf movie? Tin Cup.Rusty Armstrong gets in afew rounds in the winter.What’s your best golf memory? A golf tripwith eight guys to Culver, Ind., where weplayed three different courses and a totalof 90 holes in three days. It was about a10-hour drive in an RV. Now that wasfellowship.If you couldn’t be playing golf, you’d be . . .?I would be cooking or keeping my granddaughterSybil.Byron FreelandTitle/Company: Attorney at law, MitchellWilliams Selig Gates & WoodyardHandicap: 4How much do you play? Practice/play weekendsand after work as often as possible.When did you take up the game?9 years old.Byron Freeland atSt. Andrews.event; 67 best score at CCLR.Where do you play?Country Club of LittleRock and The AlotianClub.What’s your best score incompetition (and if youwant, add your best scorejust playing around)?72 even par is best scoreat an ASGA stroke playCareer holes in one (and where, if you want tobe specific). Two – Nos. 6 and 11 at CountryClub of Little Rock.If you had to choose one state amateur partnerin a four-ball, who would that be? Louis Lee.What PGA pro would you choose? Jon Zieske(Arkansas) and Rory McIlroy (PGA tour).Favorite golf movie? Tin Cup.What’s your best golf memory? Playing atCypress Point and having lunch with Eliand Peyton Manning in the men’s grill. Alsostaying at the Old Course Hotel and playingSt. Andrews.If you couldn’t be playing golf, you’d be . . .?Watching the Razorbacks play.What type clubs do you play/prefer? Ping.What’s the best course you’ve played? Alotian,Cypress Point, and Royal County Down inNorthern Ireland.What’s the course you’d love to play that youhaven’t? Augusta National.What’s the best hole in Arkansas? No. 18 atthe Alotian Club.Who is the best business exec golfer inArkansas? Joey Nichols and Stan Payne.Kevin A. CrassTitle/Company: Partner/Friday, Eldredge &Clark, LLPHandicap: 9Kevin Crass has onecareer hole in one.How much do youplay? Once a weekduring good weather.When did you take upthe game? I startedplaying after lawschool.Where do you play?Alotian and TheCountry Club ofLittle Rock.What’s your best score in competition (andif you want, add your best score just playingaround)? If Joe Hurst’s 50th birthday tournamentcounts, 1-under par.Career holes in one (and where, if you want tobe specific). One, on No. 11 at Alotian.If you had to choose one state amateurpartner in a four-ball, who would that be?Ted Gammill.What PGA pro would you choose?Phil Mickelson.Favorite golf movie? Caddyshack.What’s your best golf memory? In eight daysin 2000 I played Cypress Point, PebbleBeach and Augusta National.If you couldn’t be playing golf, you’d be . . .?Watching college basketball.What type clubs do you play/prefer?Callaway X-16s.What’s the best course you’ve played?Augusta National.What’s the course you’d love to play that youhaven’t? Pine Valley.What’s the best hole in Arkansas? Tie. No.10 at Alotian (most beautiful) and No. 13 atAlotian (most fun).Who is the best business exec golfer inArkansas? Steve Anthony.26 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Ken GriffeyTitle/Company: President of Griffey AgencyHandicap: 14How much do you play? Not often enough butgenerally 20-25 rounds a year.Why did you take up the game? I have veryfond memories of my father taking mybrother Phil and I down to Rebsamen ParkGolf Course as boys and having the patienceto teach us the game. The “short nine” atRebsamen was our playground for years.Where do you play? Rebsamen Golf Courseis my home course although our group likesto travel and visit various “tracks” aroundthe region.What’s your best score in competition (andif you want, add your best score just playingaround)? My best round ever was a 72 atRebsamen … and I still have the ball with abig 72 written on it. I must admit that I havebeen chasing 72 ever since … sigh.Career holes in one (and where, if you wantto be specific). Sadly to say I have neverscored an ace myself but I do have a story.My father was playing at Rebsamen backin the early 1970’s in a tournament calledthe Eskimo Tournament. It was obviouslyplayed in the winter in December or Januaryif I recall. It was a four-ball format andmy father was playing with his brother Jakeagainst two other opponents.On hole No. 3 my father hit first … balllanded on the green … two hops later theball went in the hole. My Uncle Jake then hitnext and incredibly left his shot six inchesfrom the cup. The other two golfers in theirgroup scored a 3 and a 4.On one hole, in tournament play, one ofthe rarest events in golf occurred. A 1, 2, 3and a 4 were scored on the same hole in thesame group.If you had to choose one state amateur partnerin a four-ball, who would that be? That’s easy,my best golfing buddy Steve “The Hammer”Moore. Our fathers grew up togetherin Booneville, so we actually tell people thatwe knew each other before we were born.What PGA pro would you choose?In my dream foursome I wouldhave to invite Fuzzy Zoeller, BillMurray and my dad.Favorite golf movie? Caddyshack,a true classic.What’s your best golf memory?Golf has always been a great excuseto yuk it up with our buddies.We typically take a golf trip everyyear with a great cast of characters.My fondest golf memoryinvolves a trip our group took toa course just outside of Oxford,Miss. — Kirkwood National.Our group played non-stop golf,watched the Razorbacks play OleMiss, grilled out every night at ourcondo on the course.Two members of our group, John Goodeand Rob Fikes, have both recently losttheir fights with cancer. We miss themtremendously but we carry them with uson each and every trip.If you couldn’t be playing golf, you’d be . . .?On a nice beach with my wife.What type clubs do you play/prefer? Mywoods are Cobra and my irons are Adams.At 53 years old I must admit the hybrid technologyis a wonderful thing.What’s the best course you’ve played? I loveArkansas so I’m going to be a “homer” andsay Diamante. Such a beautiful course.What’s the course you’d love to play that youhaven’t? The Alotian Club … please.What’s the best hole in Arkansas? I love traditionalgolf course layouts and I have alwaysenjoyed Nos. 16, 17 and 18 at Pleasant ValleyCountry Club. What a great challenge to endyour round. I hear that No. 6 at Alotian Clubis also breathtaking and hope to experienceit someday.Who is the best business exec golfer inArkansas? It’s hard not to choose WarrenStephens. I don’t know Mr. Stephens but Iwould guess we have this in common: welove the game of golf and we enjoy gettingtogether with friends and taking golf trips.Ken Griffey’s adventures include an encounter with John Dalythat involved a $1 bill and an autograph. Photo: Mark FonvilleDo you have an interesting story thathappened playing golf? I was a member ofa golf group years back called the “ThreePutt Club” and we were playing an event atBelvedere Country Club in Hot Springs. Aswe putted out on No. 18 we notice a crowdhad gathered and saw that John Daly wasplaying in behind us.We watched with great interest as Dalyeasily birdied the hole. Following the roundI had won $1 from my playing partner andas he was handing me the dollar bill, Dalygrabbed the bill out of my hand, signed it,and then stated, “now your dollar is onlyworth a quarter.”He chuckled and walked away.Who is your golf hero? My brother Phil and Iplayed golf together throughout our entirelives. A decade ago my brother was diagnosedwith MS. The disease affected mybrother’s legs and he has never been able toplay the game again.He has faced this disease with great courageand he will always be my hero both inthe game of golf and in the game of life.2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 27

Gary SmithTitle/Company: Glass Erectors andArkansas Door and HardwareHandicap: 11How much do you play?Once a week between April andNovember.When did you take up the game?At age 33. I enjoyed going to playwith friends from work.Where do you play? The CountryClub of Little Rock and Alotian.What’s your best score in competition(and if you want, add your best score justplaying around)?78 is about the best I can ever shoot.Career holes in one (and where, if you wantto be specific). On No. 6 at Country Clubof Little Rock; 5 iron, 175 yards.If you had to choose one state amateurpartner in a four-ball, who would that be?Ted Gammill.What PGA pro would you choose? Ernie Els.Favorite golf movie? Caddyshack.What’s your best golf memory? Having theopportunity to play so many fine golf coursesand winning the Alotian tournament withmy partner Ted Gammill.Gary Smith, right, with his playing partner Merritt Dyke on thecourse at No. 18 at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island.If you couldn’t be playing golf, you’d be . . . ?Spending time with my granddaughter.What type clubs do you play/prefer?Ping irons and Callaway or Cobra woods.What’s the best course you’ve played?Augusta National.What’s the course you’d love to play thatyou haven’t? Pine Valley.What’s the best hole in Arkansas?No. 18 at Alotian.Who is the best business exec golfer inArkansas? My partner Ted Gammill.He is the best insurance you can haveon the course.Chris WyrickTitle/Company: Vicechancellor for advancement(formerRazorback Foundationdirector), Universityof ArkansasHandicap: 17.5How much do youplay? Seven-10 times a year — mostlyscrambles.When did you take up the game?Age 13.Where do you play? Fayetteville CountryClub.What golf outings does the RazorbackFoundation sponsor or host? Our localRazorback Clubs sponsor 12-15 events ayear, our A Club sponsors an event everyyear around the spring football game,and we always host an event around ourHall of Honor weekend.What is the highlight, for you, of a Foundationgolf event? Getting to spend timewith great Razorback supporters acrossthis state and nation.What’s your best score in competition (andif you want, add your best score just playingaround)? 81 — it included a once in alifetime hole-in-one.Career holes in one (and where, if you wantto be specific). One. July 12, 1997 at EastportGolf Club in Little River, S.C.If you had to choose one state amateurpartner in a four-ball, who would that be?Tim Smith — we would lose, but “fella” isa ton of fun to be around.What PGA pro would you choose? No offense,but it would be Stacy Lewis of theLPGA.Favorite golf movie? Tin Cup.28 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

Par for the course.A home in one of the14 beautiful golf-courseneighborhoods of ChenalValley puts you right in theheart of the fairway andwell within reach of anythingelse you might need. Nowyou can have it all and neverleave the neighborhood.To begin your search for anew lot or home in ChenalValley, go to Chenal.com.COLLEGEOF BUSINESSUniversity of ArkAnsAs At LittLe rockJune 17Alumni & FriendsGolf TournamenTPleasant Valley Country Club4-person scramble8:30 a.m. & 1: 30 p.m. startsContact Will Elliott at 501.569.3208or jwelliott@ualr.edu.ualr.edu/cob2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 29

Alotian’s SniderIn ‘Tall Cotton’At ArkansasASGA Hall of Famerembraces adoptedhome stateBy Jim HarrisPhotography by Mike PirniqueLittle did Dan Snider, a nativeTexan, know when he tookthe golf professional’sjob at Chenal Country Clubin 1989 that he was becomingan Arkansan for life. He hadnever seen Little Rock beforeinterviewing for the Chenalposition 24 years ago. But, hesays, Snider and his wife immediatelyfell in love with theirsoon-to-be new home.It’s become nearly a quartercenturylove affair that runsboth ways: The Sniders considerthemselves Arkansans, andthe state and many of its golfershave embraced the easy-goingSnider over the years.Last fall, it all culminatedin Snider’s induction into theArkansas Golf Hall of Fame.“First off, I was very humbled,”Snider said. “When JayFox came to tell me I wouldbe inducted, it meant a lot becauseJay is a very good friendand the executive director ofthe state golf association. It wasvery special that he came to tellme in person.“But, as he told me andas I sat and listened, my firstthoughts were of the peoplewho are already in there. Ithought of Jack Stephens forone. I think about what all hedid for golf and to go into a hallof fame with a man like that. …And some of the old pros likeJunior Lewis … I thought, ‘Why,a kid from Borger, Texas, justgot into high cotton.’ ”Snider was in on the creationof Chenal Country Club’shighly rated, Robert Trent JonesJr.-designed golf courses, thefirst of which opened in 1990.Snider spent almost 12 yearsworking at Chenal, where hetaught a young Bryce Molderand also instructed Glen Day— who both have won on thePGA Tour. Then a burgeoningfriendship on the driving rangewith Warren Stephens, CEO ofStephens Inc., and a happenstanceconversation led Sniderto what would become theAlotian Club.30 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

“Dr. Mack Moore hadrecommended that I call Dan,”Stephens said. “I went out, tooksome lessons from Dan, andmy handicap got cut in half.Dan and I became friends andwe both loved golf.”Duringtheir conversations,Stephensmentioned hisdream of buildingwhat wouldbecome theAlotian Club, anexclusive membershipcoursein westernPulaski Countystructured likeAugusta NationalGolf Clubin Georgia.“And I said,‘You know, Warren, if you everdid that, I’d love to be a part ofit,’ ” Snider said.“I recall it was said in meaningfulway, and in the late 1990sI got committed to doing it,”Stephens said.So, in 2001, Snider joinedwith Stephens, who eventuallybought all the land to beginbuilding the course in 2002.“Dan was an integral partof buying the land,” Stephenssaid. “Dan was the guy on siteout there every day, if he hada question for the designers,‘How is this going to play?’ …He was in the dirt hitting golfballs into holes, which were reallyjust dirt greens then, seeinghow it was going to play.”Snider’s “director of golf”title evolved into chief operatingofficer at Alotian, andSnider named his right-handman, John Zieske, the directorof golf. Zieske was the secondemployee Snider hired.Stephens had no problemtrusting Snider. “Dan and Ihave similar thoughts aboutgolf and golf courses,” Stephenssaid. “Every note I get frompeople who play at Alotian,they talk about the golf course,but every one will mentionThe Snider FileAge: 65 (birthday, Feb. 20)Hometown: Borger, TexasCollege: West Texas StateJob: Chief Operating Officer,The Alotian ClubFormer clubs: WaterwoodNational, April Sound andFalcon Point in the Houstonarea; Chenal Country Clubin Little RockFamily: Wife Patty. Threechildren, Reagan, Leanneand Jay. Four grandchildren.the service at the club and theexperience at being a guest andplaying at the Alotian Club.“Dan has been the one whohas created that culture. I’mnot there every day. I’m luckyif I’m there two times a week.That is somethingDan hascreated withthe staff, andeverybody commentson that.… That’s whatwe were tryingto accomplishwith the club.We’ve done itbecause Danand I agreed onthat.”“You and Ihad severalyears to talkabout that,” Snider said to Stephens.“Your vision and whatyou wanted, your outline. Wewere following your dream andyour vision. I’m very proud ofwhat we’ve done.”Stephens’ Alotian Club wasranked the No. 14 course in theUnited States by Golf Digest in2011. The Alotian Club will playhost this summer to the WesternAmateur, one of the moreprestigious amateur events inthe world.The Pro’s ProSnider’s duties overseeingThe Alotian Club have cut histeaching time significantly,though there was a long periodof his life when Snider wasinstructing on the range literallyfrom dawn to dusk, six daysa week. In 22 years, Sniderhas been named the TeachingPro of the Year in Arkansas 15times.Molder, who grew up inConway, was among his earlypupils at Chenal, starting hislessons with Snider at age 12.These days, Molder lives in Arizonaand has a regular swinginstructor there, but Moldersaid recently he will still callSnider if nothing other than toASGA HALL OF FAMEThe Arkansas State Golf Association’sHall of Fame was created in 1994 andinducted its 19th class last October,which included Alotian Club director ofgolf Dan Snider. The Hall was formedto honor Arkansas amateurs and pros,course designers and superintendentsand others who influenced the game inthe Natural State. Here is a list of inducteesand their years to enter the Hall:Dan Snider and Mack Moore2012: Dan Snider, Dr. Mack Moore Jr., Petey King,Tim Zimmerebner2011: Randy Beaver, Tom Raney2010: Carolyn Creekmore, Mike Mitchell, Sam Spikes,Horace Lacey2009: Bobby Baker, Rosey Bartlett, Jay Fox,Bobby McGee2008: Jeff Hamm, Carl Jackson, Al Rayford,Ralph Williams2007: Joe Bushee, Sean Fister, E.B. Gee,Pete Fleming, Chester Lowe2006: Al Alexander, Jack Jordan, Louis Lee, Bill Martin,Tanna Richard2005: Cliff Calderwood, Harold Calderwood,Tommy Hanson, Jim Lindsey, Grover Poole,Don White2004: Joe Brown, Paul Collum, Patricia Weis,Bob Ralston, Steve Ralston2003: Richard Crawford, Charles Lewis III,Gene Keeney, Sug Wilson, Pat Summerall2002: Jane Whitmore Chronister, John Daly,Walter Eugene Davis, George McKeown,Bubba Smart, R.H. Sikes2001: Martha Jett McAlister, Dick Murphy,Wyn Norwood, Frank Stiede, Tommy Stobaugh2000: Robert Dedman, Jack Fleck, Ed Harris,Ed Dell Wontz1999: Byron Nelson, Ross Collins, Stan Lee,Lucy Byrd Mock1998: Davis Love Jr., Mary Perrin, Jackson Stephens,Willis Watkins1997: Miller Barber, Fred Gordy Jr., Bill Henry,Charles “Junior” Lewis, Paul Lewis1996: Ellis Bogan, Tommy Bolt, Alice Fryer, Lou Miller,Ron Richard, Monk Wade1995: Steve Creekmore, Ted Darragh, Dutch Harrison,Jack Robinson, Hogan Roundtree1994: Junie Dowell, Herman Hackbarth, Don Murphy,Paul Runyan, Hattie Turnage2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 31

Dan Snider, Alotian Club COO, has helped manya golfer, including the PGA’s Bryce Molder andGlen Day, refine their games.talk about how each is doing.Molder blossomed into afour-time college All-Americaplayer at Georgia Tech. As aprofessional, 2011 was Molder’sbest season on the PGA Tour,as he earned nearly $2 million,then followed up with a$1.2 million season in 2012. Hehad earned a quarter of thatthrough two months in 2013,and Molder has topped $7 millionin career earnings.Day, who played collegiatelyat the University of Oklahoma,was already taking lessons fromSnider before the pro movedfrom Houston to Little Rock.Day, who is 47 and nearly twoyears ago had surgery on an ankle,is competing on the Web.com Tour after several years asa PGA Tour pro.“I guess I’ve always said thiswhen Glen and Bryce have hadsuccess, they put in the workand they do it. I don’t thinkthat I should get credit for that,”Snider said.Two pros who have turnedto Snider recently are veteranPGA journeyman Dicky Pride“Dan Snider is oneof the finest, not justgolf professional,but gentlemenin golf that I’veknown in my life.”-- Jay Foxand Little Rock nativeRon Whittaker.Pride never wonanother event aftertaking the 1994St. Jude Classicin Memphis andstruggled for yearsbefore finding Snidera couple of yearsback. Pride, whoplayed at Alabamaand calls Orlando,Fla., his regularhome, brings hisfamily to the GreersFerry Lake areaeach summer whenschool is out.Pride has enjoyed a resurgencethe past two years, andwas runner-up in the 2012Byron Nelson Classic at LasColinas, Texas.“Dicky would tell you, it wasthe two of us together,” Snidersaid. “I told him the things heneeded to do and he boughtinto that. We stayed on thesame principles until it becameconsistent for him. He had agood year and has started outplaying well this year.”Whittaker has bouncedaround between the smallertours and the PGA Tour, tryingto find some consistency sincestarring in college at WakeForest.“I had helped Ron before,then he came back last fall andasked me if I could work withhim,” Snider said. “We did thesame thing I did with Dicky. Isat down with him and said,these are the things he needsto do. He agreed with me. He’sbeen diligent about working onthose things and I look for Ronto have a good year.”Fox said he first met Sniderwhen the pro tookover at Chenal.“He cares deeplyfor the game ofgolf and is just atrue credit to thegame,” Fox said.“He’s a wonderfulgolf professionaland wonderful humanbeing. I wasproud to say he’s afriend of mine.”Fox said that Snider’s inductioninto the state hall of fame“is probably long overdue. …The year before we inductedhim, the South Central Sectionof the PGA inducted himinto their hall of fame. To beinducted into two halls of famein a span of 12 months tells youwhat people think of him andhow highly respected he is.”Snider is also a member ofthe Palmer Cup board. ThePalmer Cup is an annual competitionbetween American andEuropean collegians.Radio DaysSnider remembers BobSteel, the former televisionnews director and now a hoston the Arkansas Radio Network,calling about a weeklygolf show Steel was proposing.Steel asked if Snider wouldappear.“I thought he meant forone time. It’s been five years,”Snider said with a laugh.“Arkansas Fairways andGreens” is broadcast via ARN(KARN in Little Rock) onSaturdays from 7-8 a.m. Sniderand Fox join Steel on a showthat offers discussion and avariety of national guests. Steelcredits Snider with landingmany of the show’s interviewsand said Snider lends the showcredibility and an eye for detailinvolving the better golfers thatfew others can offer.“He is the best golf instructorin the state of Arkansas. Andprobably others that he hashelped would echo that,” Steelsaid.Steel, who also works inpublic relations, has gotten toknow Snider well through handlingAlotian’s public relations,particularly during the fiveyearrun of the Jack StephensCharitable Trust tournaments.Steel has taken his shareof tips from Snider and likensSnider’s teaching personality tothat of a military general.“He has bearing. He’s animposing figure. But once youdevelop a relation with him,he’s one of the nicest, mostgenuine people you will evermeet. And God, does he knowthe game of golf.”Falcon Point in Houstonwas suffering from financialproblems during the late1980s oil crunch and fell intoreceivership. Snider sensed theclub was likely to change handsand undergo a staff overhaul.A friend had connections withMurphy Oil Corp., whose DelticTimber subsidiary was buildingthe Chenal subdivision andclub in west Little Rock.“Little Rock is beautifulto someone who has neverbeen here before,” Snider said.Having seen what Chenal hadplanned with Robert TrentJones on the design, he happilysigned on.A quarter-century later,Snider isn’t leaving. Two of histhree children graduated fromthe University of Arkansas,and his roots are firmly in theground here. Inquiries fromTexans asking him if he’d wantto return to run their coursesare answered with “ ‘Thanks,’and that’s the end of the conversation,”Snider said.“He’s embraced Arkansasvery much so,” Steel said.“You’d have to call him anArkansan now.”Snider turned 65 in February,but he’s hardly thinkingretirement.“I love what I do. I love thisclub. I love Little Rock, the stateand the golf,” Snider said of hisadopted home. “I can’t see notdoing this. … If it was just aboutcoming and getting paid, I’d belooking to quit at 66 like everybodyelse. No, no. As long asWarren will have me out here,I want to keep coming out hereevery day.”32 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

GreystoneResurrectionSEPARATEOWNERSHIPSRESTOREGOLF AT TWOCOURSESIN CABOTCOMMUNITYBy Jim HarrisJim Cooper was only looking for a dealon some golf course maintenance equipment.He came away with an entire golfcourse.Cooper was already owner of the Cooper’sHawk course in Melbourne and hopingjust to break even when he attended anauction last year attempting to find a fewgood buys.He wound up as owner of yet anothercourse, Greystone’s Mountain Springs inCabot, which had sat idle for almost a year.Cooper worked out a deal with WilsonAuctioneers and Metropolitan NationalBank, which held the note on the course,to buy the property.Adding one more course to his acclaimedCooper’s Hawk — the No. 1 public/dailyfee course in the state as rated by ExecutiveGolfer and Arkansas Business readers —was enough for Cooper.But the Greystone development hadanother 18 holes, dubbed Cypress Creek,also sitting idle.A similar deal was worked out with aninvestment group that included MitchWard, who owns Red River Dodge in HeberSprings, and some silent partners. RickySelf, a golf professional who helped get thestate-owned Ridges at Valley Creek StatePark up and running last year after aninitial stumble, was brought in to join theCypress Creek group.So two scenic tests of golf in centralArkansas for the past decade-plus buckeda nationwide trend that had seen coursesshutting down. They rose from the deadthanks to ownership groups committed toputting the money back into their coursesand not concerning themselves with profit.Since the nation’s financial crisis of2008, the golf business has taken a hit.Nationally, the number of golfers reportedlyis stagnant at about 30 million, andthe number of people taking up the game2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 33

Greystone is actually two courses independently operatingunder the names Greystone and Cypress Creek.annually has equaled the number giving itup the past several years.Because the Greystone courses werea separate business from the residentialdevelopment, the previous owners took abath trying to profit from golf and maintainthe courses while keeping up membershipsto fund the operation.“Let’s face it, golf,though it is called thesport of a lifetime,you do it with yourextra money,” Coopersaid. “And whenyou’re in tough times,golf dues are the firstthings to go.”Now, the coursesare separate entities. Cooper kept thename Greystone for his course, whileWard’s group operates Cypress CreekCountry Club.And though it might appear a rivalry forthe golf dollar has sprung up between thebusinesses, neither group sees it much thatway.“You have to understand, we havetwo different business models,” Self said.“Greystone, or Mountain Springs, is acountry club, with swimming pool, golfcourse, the total package.“We are solely a golf club. We’re not asocial club and we’re not going to have apool. That’s not who we are. If you want asocial atmosphere and you want a countryclub atmosphere, you’re going to be joiningup there.”Greystone-Mountain SpringsThe Mountain Springs side was originallybuilt with a large clubhouse on thehighest point of the golf property, andCooper saw an opportunity; Cypress Creekonly has a golf shop and small dining area.“I was amazed at the spacious clubhouseand all the amenities that wereincluded with it,” Cooper said. “Subsequently,we put $300,000 in renovationof the clubhouse and sports bar. We’re soproud of what we’ve got up there.”Cooper also decided the club neededan upscale pro shop as well as a learningcenter for golfers, and it already possessed‘‘We are solely a golf club.We’re not a social club andwe’re not going to have a pool.That’s not who we are.’’– Jack Selfa good driving range. Cooperbrought aboard former Nationwideand PGA Tour golferRichard Johnson as pro andcontracted with Justin Hill tooperate a golf academy on site.Greystone was up and runningwith 18 holes early lastMay.“We had a really good firstyear,” Cooper said. “We’re expectinga really good year thisyear. … We ended up with over220 members that came back,and we’re going to add to that this year.”Cooper said the membership andresidents of Greystone understood “theywould have to share this with the public forit to work, and they overwhelmingly agreedto it.”Greystone has daily fee rates, and theclubhouse and sports bar are open toanyone.The course camewith zoysia fairways,and Cooperhad a Mini-Verdiultra-dwarf puttingsurface installed onthe greens in placeof the harder-tomanagebentgrass.Over the course of nearly a year, somebunkers had washed out and landscapinghad deteriorated.All that was tackled in 2012, he said.Cypress CreekSelf serves as pro and main superintendentunder the title “ Director of Golf.” Afterchanging the greens from bentgrass toa fast, TifEagle Bermuda grass, the coursewas ready to open at the end of July.A bunker renovation product wasscheduled to start this March, as well assome irrigation work to help the coursebetter conserve water, Self said.Cypress Creek immediately began operatingwith a daily fee rate as competitiveas any in the market: $25 for greens fee andcart. Self said that likely would be bumpedup $5 this spring.The course also offered two monthlymembership programs, one for golf at anytime for $170 and another for golf Mondaythrough Thursday for $125 a month.Cypress Creek also is part of a 13-clubpartnership program, the brainchild of proTim Jenkins at Country Club of Arkansas,which allows members to play several ofthe leading daily fee courses in the state.“We don’t owe anyone money, we’re notgoing bankrupt,” Self said. “The guys whobought this course said they’d put all themoney back into the course for a minimumof the next three years. … They’re not worriedabout their investment.”Giving It Back to GolfJim Cooper grewup in Melbourne, andwhen he had madeenough money inthe long-term carebusiness, he wanted tobring big-time golf tohis rural hometown.The late Bobby Mc-Gee, a posthumous inducteein the ArkansasGolf Hall of Fame, designed an 18-hole coursefor Cooper, and readers of “Executive Golfer”voted “Cooper’s Hawk” the No. 1 public/dailyfee course in Arkansas in 2012.Cooper added to his golf holdings last yearby purchasing the closed Mountain Springscourse at the Greystone residential developmenton Highway 5 near Cabot. The course willnow be known as Greystone Country Club.Cooper will still live a chip shot from hisMelbourne course, where he tries to maintaina 4 handicap.“I haven’t had a chance to play a lot lately,”he said.As for Cooper’s Hawk in Melbourne, it “willnever be a money maker,” Cooper said. “Wejust want to break even and keep the coursehere in a rural area.“As for Greystone, we want to keep makingimprovements there and I want to see a lot ofchanges in the next five, six years. We mightwant to reroute a few holes, change somegreens, make the course longer in someplaces. … Personally, I have a lot of ambitionsto make Greystone something special there incentral Arkansas.”Cooper said he has been around nursinghomes and health care since 1987. “That’smy business where I have primary income,”he said. “I spend something related to thenursing home business every day, and it’s aseven-day, 24-hour, 365-day endeavor.”That makes golf just a sideline hobby,something Cooper loves and something that’sled to lasting friendships and more business,the competitive Cooper said. It’s also why heenlisted Richard Johnson and his wife, Yvette,to run the Greystone course along with JohnnyWhite, the former, longtime athletic directorat Cabot.His father, and uncle and aunt are businesspartners along with the Johnsons.Richard Johnson, a native of Wales, calledFort Smith his home for a while, as it was hiswife’s hometown. Johnson was the leadingmoney winner on the Nationwide Tour in 2007and earned a PGA Tour card.After a short time on the PGA Tour, a wristinjury ended his playing career. He was thegolf coach at UCA for two years before joiningGreystone.— By Jim Harris34 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

HITTING THE SWEET SPOTSGreat Golfing in ArkansasThe Greens at North Hills in Sherwood isArkansas’ only Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designedgolf course. It is a public, 18-hole, championshipgolf course owned and operated by the Cityof Sherwood. The Greens prides itself on havinga beautiful landscape of mature trees and targetgreens. Champion Bermuda greens makes the puttingsurface playable year round and offers a designthat will inspire and challenge golfers ofall levels.The signature hole at The Greens at North Hillsis hole 17. This par three hole crosses over the creekand has a narrow green. In addition to the signaturehole, you will find that each of the 18 holesoffers a unique challenge to golfers due to the tightfairways, target greens and undulation.Download our FREE mobileApp Today! Search forThe Greens at North Hillsin the Apple App Storeor Android Market.Features FREE GPS.The Greens At North HillsSherwood, Arkansas | 501.833.3790Louis Mangrum, an avid golfer, says, “For me,The Greens at North Hills is one of the most challengingcourses in Central Arkansas. The greensare fast and difficult with the holes being longenough to be difficult to reach in regulation. It is agreat place to have a tournament.” Another devotedgolfer, James Nolen, compliments The Greens atNorth Hills on the tee boxes, clean and even fairways,and fast, smooth, and challenging greens.The Greens at North Hills is happy to host golftournaments and offers a player’s package to thoseparticipating. The player’s package includes asleeve of golf balls for each player, as well as freshlycooked brisket and pork provided by Bunkers Barand Grill. The Greens is also in the middle of athree-year run of hosting the Arkansas State GolfAssociation Match Play Championship. This tournamentis expected to bring 60+ of the finest playersin Arkansas. The tournament welcomes playersfrom any age group, including senior divisions.Public CourseChampion Bermuda GreensBermuda Fairways18 HolesPar 716,427 YardsThe golf pro at The Greens at North Hills isDawn Darter. Dawn has been a PGA Professionalfor more than 25 years and is the Central RegionPGA Junior Tour Director. Dawn is the instructorfor The Greens at North Hills and offers individualand group lessons to golfers of all ages and skilllevels. The pro shop features equipment for yourevery need, including an on-site Ping club fitter.Although The Greens at North Hills is a publiccourse and welcomes everybody to pay the dailyfee, an annual fee is also offered for unlimited golfwith a cart. Tee times can be booked in person,over the phone, on the website or on the FREEmobile app available in the Apple app store andAndroid market.SPECIAL ADVERTISING PROMOTION2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 35

HITTING THE SWEET SPOTSGreat Golfing in ArkansasDeGray Lake Resort State Park lies on the northshore of 13,800-acre DeGray Lake in the rollingfoothills of the Ouachita Mountain range. Thiswater sports and golf resort features an 18-hole,par 72 championship public course, which rankedthird among the state’s public courses in ExecutiveGolfer’s 2012 readers survey. Stretching 7,100yards with views of the lake through tall pines andnative hardwoods, this grand old course featuresTifEagle Bermuda greens and 419 Bermuda teesand fairways. Four teeing areas offer golfers of anyskill level a challenging round. The course ratingis 72.7 and slope is 134. Water comes into play onseven holes. The front nine offer wide, expansivefairways with elevated, undulating and slopinggreens, and water hazards. The back nine arecarved out of the woodlands leaving little room forstray shots. From the blue tees the course is 7,100yards, from the white—6,560 yards, gold—6,200yards, and red—5,800 yards. The pro shop offersa snack bar, cart and club rentals, golf equipment,and a wide selection of brand name golf appareland accessories for purchaseThe course is open daily. For tee times call:501-865-5830. Groups of any size are welcome. Theprofessional staff can assist with corporate, civic orcharitable outings.DeGray Lake ResortState Park Golf CourseBismarck, Arkansas | 501.865.5830Here at Arkansas’ only resort state park, enjoya complete complement of resort amenities andoutdoor activities including a 96-room islandlodge, restaurant, lakeshore campsites, full-servicemarina, boat rentals, swimming, tennis, hiking,Public CourseTifEagle Bermuda Greens419 Bermuda Fairways18 HolesPar 72Championship Course7,100 Yardsand park interpretive programs. Visit DeGray.comfor details.To reach DeGray, take Exit #78 off I-30 atCaddo Valley/Arkadelphia and travel seven milesnorth on Scenic 7 Byway.HITTING THE SWEET SPOTSGreat Golfing in ArkansasVillage Creek State Park atop Crowley’s Ridge,the unique landform in northeast Arkansas, is thehome of this Andy Dye signature golf course. Dyefamily designs of resort and public courses includeworld-ranked championship-class courses knownfor their creative, unique designs and environmentallysensitive integrity. The rolling terrain ofCrowley’s Ridge, dramatic elevation changes, andthe backdrop of the surrounding hardwood forestcombine for an aesthetically pleasing and challenginglevel of play at this 27-hole, championshippublic course.Depending on the configuration of the twonines you choose to play, the yardage could stretchto over 7,400 yards. The course features MiniVerdeBermuda greens and Tiff 419 Bermuda tees andfairways. Four teeing areas offer opportunities forgolfers of any skill level. Three distinct nines makefor outstanding golf. Water comes into play on 12holes.The course will be open daily and includes agolf shop, practice green, and three short gamepractice holes. Golf carts are included with greenfees. For tee times call: 870-238-5226. Groupsof any size are welcome. The staff can assist withcorporate, civic, or charitable outings.The Ridgesat Village Creek95 County Rd. 756, Wynne, Arkansas | 870.238.5226Village Creek State Park also offers 10 cabins,96 campsites, seven miles of hiking trails, 25 milesof multi-use trails, tennis courts, pavilions, and twolakes. Launch ramps, boat docks, fishing boats,and kayaks are available late-spring through LaborPublic CourseMiniVerde GreensTiff 419 Bermuda Fairways27 HolesChampionship Course7,249 YardsDay. Visit ArkansasStateParks.com for details.To reach Village Creek State Park, take Exit#242 off I-40 at Forrest City and go 13 miles northon Ark. 284.36 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013SPECIAL ADVERTISING PROMOTION

CENTRAL REGIONARKANSAS GOLF COURSESListed alphabetically within geographic regionsCityCourse Phone Type Greens Fairways Holes Par Yards Weekday Weekend Cart FeeBENTONSilver Springs Country Club (501) 315-1843 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,227 $25 $30 IncludedBRYANTHurricane Golf & Country Club (501) 847-2609 Private Bent Zoysia 18 72 6,209 $44 $55 IncludedCABOTCypress Creek Golf Course (501) 605-8000 Semi Private Tif Eagle Meyer Zoysia 18 72 7,392 $35 $45 IncludedRolling Hills Country Club (501) 843-5231 Private Tiff Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,407 $27 $27 $5 per nineCONWAYCentennial Valley Country Club (501) 513-2522 Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,957 $25 $35 $14 per 18Conway Country Club (501) 329-9887 Private Bent Bermuda 18 70 6,292 $25 $30 $18/$9Links at Cadron Valley Golf & Country Club (501) 336-0909 Public Tifdwarf Bermuda Bermuda 9 35 3,057 $17/$29 $22/$34 IncludedNutters Chapel Golf and Country Club1 (501) 329-5867 Semi Private Mini Verde Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,678 $21 $26 $14 per 18ENGLANDEngland Country Club (501) 590-9021 Private/reciprocal Tifdwarf Bermuda 9 72 6,875 $20 $25 $20GreenbrierPersimmon Ridge Golf Club (501) 679-5423 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 36 3,267 $25 $30 IncludedJACKSONVILLEHickory Creek Golf Course (501) 988-4257 Public Tiff Bermuda Bermuda 18 67 4,130 $8/$12 $14 $4/$8Southern Oaks Country Club (501) 982-1254 Private Mini Verde Bermuda 18 72 6,448 NA NA NALITTLE ROCKChenal Country Club-Bear Den (501) 821-7565 Private Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,221 NA NA NAChenal Country Club-Founders (501) 821-7565 Private Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,115 NA NA NACountry Club of Little Rock (501) 663-4189 Private Bent Zoysia 18 71 6,600 $70 $85 $20Eagle Hill Golf & Athletic Club (501) 455-8848 Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,927 $40 $50 IncludedFirst Tee of Central Arkansas-Chairman’s Course (501) 562-4653 Public Champions Bermuda Bermuda 9 36 3,428 $15 $15 $11First Tee of Central Arkansas-Honors Course (501) 562-4653 Public Champions Bermuda Bermuda 9 27 776 $10 $10 N/AHindman Park Golf Course (501) 565-6450 Public Tifdwarf Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,805 $27/$23 $28/$23 IncludedPleasant Valley Country Club (501) 225-2234 Private/reciprocal Champion Bermuda Tifton Bermuda 27 72 7,103 $70 $90 $18Rebsamen Executive Course (The West 9) (501) 666-7965 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 32 1,950 $10/ $18 $10/$18 IncludedRebsamen Park Championship Golf Course (501) 666-7965 Public Champion Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 7,033 $40/$24 $40/$24 IncludedWar Memorial Golf Course (501) 663-0854 Public Bermuda Bermuda 18 64 4,341 $16 $17 $11LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASEDeer Run Golf Course (501) 987-6825 Military Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,732 $8-$14; $19 for guests $8-$14; $19 for guests $11MABLEVALEGolf of Castle Valley2 (501) 562-1814 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 5,600 $14/$24 $16/$26 IncludedMAUMELLECountry Club of Arkansas (501) 851-0095 Semi-private TifEagle Bermuda 419 Bermuda 18 72 6,458 $29/$39 $35/$49 IncludedMaumelle Country Club (501) 851-3700 Private Champion Bermuda Tiff Bermuda 18 72 7,492 $75 $65 $16.35NORTH LITTLE ROCKBurns Park-Championship Course (501) 791-8587 Public MiniVerde Bermuda 18 71 6,700 $25 $31 IncludedBurns Park-Tournament Course (501) 791-8587 Public Tiff Bermuda Bermuda 18 70 5,710 $25 $25 IncludedCamp Robinson Golf Course/Duffers Club (501) 753-8877 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 35 2,825 $8 $8 $9Emerald Park Golf Course at Fort Roots (501) 244-8500 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 70 5,400 $8 $9 $7/$10/$20Pine Valley Golf Course (501) 835-3424 Public Tiff Bermuda Bermuda 18 70 5,377 $19 $23 IncludedStonelinks Golf Course (501) 945-0945 Public Bent Bermuda 18 72 7,030 $35 $35 IncludedAlotian Club, The (501) 379-2568 Private Bent Grass Zoysia 18 72 7,480 NA NA NASEARCYCourse at River Oaks (501) 279-4653 Semi-private MiniVerde Zoysia 18 71 6,197 $201 $20 $13Searcy Country Club (501) 305-4653 Private Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,423 $35 $40 $20SHERWOODGreens at North Hills, The (501) 833-3790 Public Champion Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 6,390 $30 $36 IncludedLinks at Sherwood (501) 833-8011 Public Bermuda Zoysia 9 27 1,027 $6/$10 $6/$10 $4 per personDELTA REGIONBLYTHEVILLEBlytheville Country Club (870) 763-7821 Private Champion Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 6,601 $30 $30 $15Thunder Bayou Golf Links (870) 532-2621 Public Bent Tiff Bermuda 18 72 7,232 $251 $29.25 IncludedCLARENDONPines Country Club (870) 462-8374 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 68 4,952 $15/$25 $15/$25 IncludedCorningVictory Lake Golf Course (870) 857-6378 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 35 2,747 $15 $15 $20Forrest CityForrest City Country Club (870) 633-3380 Private/reciprocal Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 6,206 $30 $30 $15/$30HAZENGrand Prairie Country Club (870) 255-3043 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 70 5,549 $20 $20 IncludedJONESBOROJonesboro Country Club (870) 932-2410 Private Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,400 $35 $50 $15/$25Links at Jonesboro Golf & Athletic Club (870) 932-2578 Public Bent Bermuda 9 31 1,865 $10 $10 $7North Hills Golf Club (870) 935-1880 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 35 6,900 $11/$20 $21/$50 IncludedRidge Pointe Country Club (870) 931-4114 Private/ development Bent Zoysia 18 72 6,549 $57 $67 IncludedSage Meadows Golf Course (870) 932-4420 Semi-private Bent Grass Zoysia 18 72 6,901 $38 $48 Included38 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

DELTA REGIONCityCourse Phone Type Greens Fairways Holes Par Yards Weekday Weekend Cart FeeLAKE VILLAGELake Village Country Club (870) 265-1390 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 6,266 $30 $30 No cartsMANILABig Lake Country Club (870) 561-9988 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 6,148 $15/$25 $15/$25 $15/$25MARIANNAMarianna Country Club (870) 295-5270 Private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 70 6,169 $20 $20 NAMCGEHEEDelta Country Club (870) 222-6622 Private Tiff Bermuda Tiff Bermuda 9 36 3,184 $10 $10 No cartsMONTICELLOMonticello Country Club (870) 367-0384 Private Tiff Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 5,591 $25 $25 No cartsWalnut Lake Country Club (870) 382-4388 Private/reciprocal Bermuda Bermuda 9 35 2,797 $20 $20 NANEWPORTNewport Country Club (870) 523-8904 Private/reciprocal Bent Bermuda 18 70 5,922 $30 $30 $20PARAGOULDFox Hills Country Club (870) 236-7847 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 70 5,386 $20 $20 $15Paragould Country Club (870) 239-2328 Private Bent Tiff Bermuda 18 70 6,385 $45 $45 IncludedPIGGOTTSugar Creek Country Club (870) 598-3546 Private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 5,588 $16/$22 $16/$22POCAHONTASRolling Hills Country Club (870) 892-3323 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,265 $25 $25 $15TRUMANNTrumann Country Club (870) 483-7627 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 6,709 $20 $25 $15WEST MEMPHISMeadowbrook Country Club (870) 735-6767 Private Champion Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 6,522 $60 $40 $20/$25WYNNEThe Ridges at Village Creek (870) 238-5226 Public MiniVerde Tiff 419 Bermuda 27 72 7,249 $40 $45 IncludedOUACHITA REGIONARKADELPHIATurtle Pointe Golf Club (870) 246-6642 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,471 $30 $34 IncludedBISMARCKDeGray Lake Resort State Park Golf Course (501) 865-5831 Public TifEagle Bermuda 419 Bermuda 18 72 7,100 $23 $29 $12GLENWOODGlenwood Country Club & Resort (870) 356-4422 Public Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,561 $34/$21 $43/$25 IncludedHOT SPRINGSBelvedere Golf Resort (501) 321-3591 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,767 $27 $35 IncludedDiamondhead Golf Club (501) 262-3734 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,559 $22 $27 $10.50Hot Springs Country Club-Arlington Course (501) 624-2661 Semi-private/resort Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,690 $95 $95 IncludedHot Springs Country Club-The Park Course (501) 624-2661 Semi-private/resort Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,836 $95 $95 IncludedLakeside Golf Club (501) 262-1826 Public Bermuda Bermuda blend 9 35 2,611 $12/$21 $15/$24 IncludedLakeview Golf Club (501) 262-0050 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 35 2,807 $17/$23 $18/$25 IncludedHOT SPRINGS VILLAGEDiamante Country Club (501) 922-8600 Private Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,560 $72 $72 IncludedHot Springs Village-Balboa (501) 922-1504 Semi-Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,725 $74/$59 $74/$59 IncludedHot Springs Village-Coronado (501) 922-2355 Semi-Private Penncross Bent Bermuda 18 62 3,902 $47/$41 $47/$41 IncludedHot Springs Village-Cortez (501) 922-1590 Semi-Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,672 $74/$59 $74/$59 IncludedHot Springs Village-DeSoto (501) 922-0001 Semi-private Penncross Bent Tif 419 Bermuda 18 72 5,912 $63/$53 $63/$53 IncludedHot Springs Village-Granada (501) 922-3095 Semi-Private L93/Crenshaw Blend Tif-Sport Bermuda 18 72 7,115 $79 $79 IncludedHot Springs Village-Isabella (501) 922-5505 Semi-Private L93/Crenshaw Bent Tif 419 Bermuda 27 72 7,264 $83/$69 $83/$69 IncludedHot Springs Village-Magellan (501) 922-4497 Semi-Private Crenshaw Bent 419 Bermuda 18 72 6,481 $59 $59 IncludedHot Springs Village-Ponce de Leon (501) 922-4250 Semi-private Crenshaw Bent Tifway II Bermuda 18 72 6,946 $63/$52 $63/$52 IncludedMALVERNMalvern Country Club (501) 337-1482 Semi-private Bermuda/Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,229 $8/$16 $8/$16 $16MENAOuachita Golf Course (479) 394-5382 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 70 6,161 $10 $15 $10/$18OZARKS REGIONALMAEagle Crest (479) 632-8857 Semi Private Bent Zoysia 18 71 6,869 $35/$42.64 $35/$48 IncludedBATESVILLEBatesville Municipal Golf Course (870) 698-2431 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 36 3,195 $15/$25 $15/$25 $15/$25Course at Eagle Mountain (870) 612-8000 Semi-private Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,009 $30/$40 $30/$50 IncludedBELLA VISTABella Vista Village Country Club (479) 855-8130 Semi-Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,805 NA NA NABella Vista Village-Berksdale (479) 855-8123 Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,400 $27 $27 $15Bella Vista Village-Branchwood (479) 855-8181 Private Bent Grass Bermuda 9 3 1,220 $2 $2 Walking onlyBella Vista Village-Brittany (479) 855-8160 Private Bent Bermuda 9 31 1,889 $21 $21 $8Bella Vista Village-Dogwood Hills (479) 855-8160 Private Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,223 $27 $27 $15Bella Vista Village-Highlands (479) 855-8150 Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 7,049 $27 $27 $15Bella Vista Village-Kingswood (479) 855-8123 Private Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,271 $27 $27 $15Bella Vista Village-Scotsdale (479) 855-8140 Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,755 $27 $27 $152013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 39

OZARKS REGIONARKANSAS GOLF COURSESListed alphabetically within geographic regionsCityCourse Phone Type Greens Fairways Holes Par Yards Weekday Weekend Cart FeeBENTONVILLELinks at Bentonville Golf & Athletic Club (479) 271-0163 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 9 31 1,779 $11/$7 $10/$6 $3/$6BERRYVILLECarroll Country Club (870) 423-3280 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 9 36 2,900 $25 $25 $10/$20BULL SHOALSRivercliff Golf Course (870) 445-4800 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,444 $29 $29 $13CAVE SPRINGSThe Creeks Golf & RV Resort (479) 248-1000 Public Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,006 $33 $38 IncludedCHEROKEE VILLAGECherokee Village-North Course (870) 257-3430 Private Bent Zoysia 18 72 6,687 $20/$27 $20/$27 $13 per seatCherokee Village-South Course (870) 257-2555 Private Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,058 $20/$27 $20/$27 $13 per seatDIAMOND CITYDiamond Hills Country Club (870) 422-7613 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,407 $24 $24 $12DRASCOTannenbaum Golf Club (501) 362-5577 Semi-private Bent Zoysia 18 72 6,608 $45 $49 IncludedFAIRFIELD BAYIndian Hills Country Club (501) 884-6018 Semi-private Bent Zoysia 18 70 6,442 $37 $37 IncludedMountain Ranch Golf Club (501) 884-3400 Semi-private MiniVerdi Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,780 $45 $49 IncludedFARMINGTONGolf Club at Valley View (479) 267-1096 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 72 7,046 $38 $48 IncludedFAYETTEVILLEBlessings Golf Club (479) 444-6330 Private Bent Cavalier Zoysia 18 72 7,590 NA NA NAFayetteville Country Club (479) 442-5112 Private Bent Bermuda 18 70 6,220 $50/$70 $50/$70 IncludedLakeside Village Golf & Athletic Club (479) 442-7748 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 9 27 1,040 $6/$10 $6/$10 $5/$9Paradise Valley Golf & Athletic Club (479) 521-5841 Private/reciprocal Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,934 $45 $55 IncludedRazorback Park Golf Course (479) 443-5862 Public Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,520 $25/$30 $30/$35 IncludedStonebridge Meadows Golf Club (479) 571-3674 Public Bent Bermuda 18 72 7,150 $39 $49 NAHARRISONHarrison Country Club (870) 741-4947 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 70 6,066 $202 $20 $12/$6Links at Harrison Golf & Athletic Club (870) 365-3621 Public Bent Bermuda 9 27 1,237 $10 $10 $11.99HEBER SPRINGSRed Apple Inn & Country Club (501) 362-3131 Resort TifEagle Bermuda 18 71 6,451 $65 $75 IncludedRiverland Country Club & Golf Course (501) 362-7541 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 3,012 $17/$22 $47 IncludedHOLIDAY ISLANDHoliday Island Country Club-Championship Course (479) 253-9511 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 70 6,059 $34 $34 $13Holiday Island Country Club-Executive Course (479) 253-9890 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 9 30 1,832 $20 $20 IncludedHORSESHOE BENDCedar Glade Golf Course (870) 670-5141 Public Bermuda Bermuda 18 54 1,751 $9/$18 $9/$18 $6/$9Golf Course on Turkey Mountain (870) 670-5252 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 73 6,407 $35 $35 IncludedLOWELLLinks at Lowell Golf & Athletic Club (479) 770-6066 Public Bent Bermuda 9 27 1,186 $7/$11 $7/$11 $6/$10MELBOURNECooper’s Hawk (870) 368-3280 Semi-private Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,011 $25/$35 $45 IncludedMOUNTAIN HOMEBig Creek Golf & Country Club (870) 425-8815 Semi-private Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,320 $59/$40 $69/$40 IncludedTwin Lakes Golf Club (870) 425-2028 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 70 5,608 $37 $37 IncludedMOUNTAIN VIEWPine Hills Golf Course (870) 269-5777 Public Bent Bermuda 9 29 1,586 $10/$15 $10/$15 $7/$14PEA RIDGEBig Sugar Golf Club (479) 451-9550 Public Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,205 $40 $50 IncludedROGERSGreens on Blossom Way Golf & Country Club (479) 631-1811 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 9 35 2,900 $14 $14 $7Lost Springs Golf & Athletic Club (479) 631-9988 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,928 $30 $40 $15Pinnacle Country Club (479) 273-0500 Private/reciprocal Bent Zoysia 18 71 7,001 $75 $100 $16Prairie Creek Country Club (479) 925-2414 Public Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,574 $22/$30 $23/$32 IncludedShadow Valley Country Club (479) 203-0000 Private Bent Zoysia 18 72 7,101 $65 $65 IncludedSILOAM SPRINGSDawn Hill Golf Club (479) 524-4838 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,740 $24 $24 IncludedSiloam Springs Country Club (479) 524-4269 Public Bent Bermuda 9 35 2,930 $12/$19 $12/$19 $10/$20SPRINGDALEBrush Creek Golf Course (479) 750-0606 Public Bent Bermuda 9 36 2,926 $15-$25 $15-$25 IncludedLinks at Springdale (479) 750-0216 Public Bent Bermuda 9 33 2,425 $18/$27 $18/$27 IncludedSpringdale Country Club (479) 872-2166 Private Bent Bermuda 18 72 6,702 $30/$60 $30/$60 Included40 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

RIVER VALLEY REGIONTIMBERLAND REGIONCityCourse Phone Type Greens Fairways Holes Par Yards Weekday Weekend Cart FeeALMARiver Valley Golf Course (479) 997-1188 Public Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 5,198 $10 $12 $12BOONEVILLECherokee Creek Country Club (479) 675-5858 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,115 $25 $25 IncludedCLARKSVILLEClarksville Country Club (479) 754-3026 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 6,145 $20 $20 $15DANVILLEChamberlyne Country Club (479) 495-4110 Semi-private Mini-Verde Ultradwarf Bermuda 18 72 7,047 $30 $40 IncludedDARDANELLELion’s Den Golf Club (479) 229-4162 Semi-private Champion Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,754 $25 $35 IncludedFORT CHAFFEE, BARLINGDeer Trails Golf Club (479) 478-6971 Military Bermuda Bermuda 9 36 3,063 $9/$11 $13/$16 $8/$16FORT SMITHBen Geren Golf Course (479) 646-5301 Public Bent Bermuda 27 72 6,910 $22 $26 $14Fianna Hills Country Club (479) 646-5134 Public/reciprocal Bent Bermuda 18 24 7,118 $60 $60 includedFirst Tee of Fort Smith (479) 648-9833 Public Bermuda Bermuda 61 24 1,147 $1 per hole $5 $1 per holeHardscrabble Country Club (479) 783-3731 Private Bent Bermuda 18 70 6,783 $60 $75 $16Links at Fort Smith (479) 648-9691 Public Bent Bermuda 9 27 1,315 $10/$18 $10/$18 IncludedGREENWOODVache Grasse Recreation Area (479) 996-4191 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,254 $28 $31 IncludedOZARKOzark Country Club (479) 667-2908 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 5,680 $15/$20 $15/$20 $10/$15POTTSVILLEGalla Creek Golf Course (479) 890-6653 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 5,864 $23/$10 $27/$16 $9RATCLIFFLittle Creek Recreation Club (479) 635-5551 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 6,476 $12 $14 $9 per nineRUSSELLVILLERussellville Country Club (479) 968-2660 Semi-private Bent Bermuda 18 71 6,331 $35 $40 $20VAN BURENCedars Country Club (479) 474-2412 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 6,204 $10 $11 $6/$6CAMDENCamden Country Club (870) 836-8414 Private/reciprocal Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 6,135 $35 $45 IncludedDE QUEENDe Queen Country Club (870) 642-8800; (870) 582-6682 Private Bermuda Bermuda 9 36 3,172 $20 $20 $10EAST CAMDENHighland Golf Course (870) 574-9080 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 5,953 $13/$23 $14/$24 IncludedEL DORADOEl Dorado Golf & Country Club (870) 863-7380 Private/reciprocal Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 6,449 $40 $40 IncludedLion’s Club Municipal Golf Course (870) 881-4180 Public Bermuda Bermuda 18 72 6,380 $26 $29 IncludedMystic Creek Golf Club (870) 862-3401 Public (Limited) Champion Celebration Bermuda 18 72 7,492 $75 $100 IncludedFORDYCEFordyce Country Club (870) 352-2264 Private Bermuda Bermuda 9 (2) 72 5,996 $20 $20 $20MAGNOLIAMagnolia Country Club (870) 234-6484 Private Tifdwarf Bermuda 18 72 6,752 $26.88 $32 $16PINE BLUFFHarbor Oaks Golf Club (870) 541-9010 Public MiniVerde Bermuda 18 72 7,006 $28 $38 IncludedPine Bluff Country Club (870) 535-3180 Private MiniVerde Bermuda 18 71 6,649 $50 w/member $50 w/member IncludedTEXARKANALinks at Texarkana (870) 773-6154 Public Bermuda Bermuda 9 35 2,605 $12/$18 $12/$18 $7/$12New Haven Golf Club (870) 774-5771 Semi-private Bermuda Bermuda 18 71 6,518 $20 $25 $12Texarkana Country Club (870) 774-9531 Private Tifdwarf Bermuda 18 72 6,935 $50 $50 $30 per 18REGIONAL PRO TOURNAMENTSPGASHELL HOUSTON OPENMarch 28-31Redstone GCTournament CourseHumble, TexasPurse: $6.2 millionVALERO TEXAS OPENApril 4-7JW Marriott, TPC SanAntonioSan AntonioPurse: $6.2 millionZURICH CLASSICOF NEW ORLEANSApril 25-28TPC LouisianaAvondale, La.Purse: $6.6 millionHP BYRON NELSONCHAMPIONSHIPMay 16-19TPC Four SeasonsResortIrving, TexasPurse: $6.7 millionCROWNE PLAZAINVITATIONALMay 23-26Colonial CCFort Worth, TexasPurse: $6.4 millionFEDEX ST. JUDECLASSICJune 6-9TPC SouthwindMemphisPurse: $5.7 millionSANDERSON FARMSCHAMPIONSHIPJuly 18-21Annandale GCMadison, Miss.Purse: $3 millionLPGANORTH TEXAS LPGASHOOTOUTApril 25-28Las Colinas CCIrving, TexasPurse: $1.3 millionMOBILE BAY LPGACLASSICMay 19-19RTJ Golf Trail,Magnolia Grove,Crossings CourseMobile, Ala.Purse: $ 1.2 millionWALMART NWARKANSASCHAMPIONSHIPJune 21-23Pinnacle Country ClubRogersPurse: $2 million2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 41

THE FINAL SHOTFleck Topped Hogan On HisWay To Heaven On EarthBy Jim Harrisnly two golferswith Arkansasconnections have wonthe U.S. Open, andneither were natives.Both made Arkansastheir adopted homelater in life, however.Both Tommy Boltand Jack Fleck foundArkansas to be whatI’ve always felt was anapt description of TheNatural State: It’s a golfcourse waiting to be built.Fleck, who was born in Iowa,actually did that, while Boltfound a home with a nicecourse for a backyard.Bolt, a native of Oklahoma,lived to the ripe old age of 92,calling Cherokee Village hishome in the last years of his lifebefore he died in 2008.The last we saw of Fleck lastsummer, when he was enjoyinga newfound 15 minutes of famehere and on the West Coast, hewas still spry and going strong atage 91. He’s living in Fort Smithand playing golf as often as hecan at the demanding HardscrabbleCountry Club.Every time the U.S. Openreturned to Southern Hills inTulsa after the colorful Bolt’svictory there in 1958,he’d be back in golfwriters’ thoughtsas they describedhow he survived abrutally hot weekendand his own hottemper to capturethe big prize.Bolt went on tohave a good PGAand Senior Tour career,and he was stillgiving exhibitionsjust a few short yearsago. The best partwas always when Bolt describedthe correct way to throw a club,his specialty.Last summer, when the Openwas returning to the OlympicClub in San Francisco, it wastime again to revisit Fleck’sBen Hogan, right, jokingly tries to cool off JackFleck’s putter after Fleck put the club to good useto beat Hogan in the 1955 U.S. Open.Neil Sagebiel’s bookon the Open.amazing upset of Ben Hogan inthe 1955 Open there.Both Bolt and Fleck deniedHogan his fifth Open title intime when Hogan dominatedgolf in books, newspapers andmagazines, if not on the course.Fleck’s win was particularlygalling for Hogan, as Fleck gotup and down with a pitch shotshort of the 18th green and a7-foot putt to tie Hogan afterTV had already declared Hoganthe winner, and then Hoganchopped broccoli in the roughon the final hole of the 18-holeplayoff to lose by three shots.Yet, Hogan was the graciousloser, seeing something of himselfin Fleck — not to mentionproviding Fleck with Hoganbrandirons.Some 67 yearslater, Fleck wasstill around to talkabout staring downand defeating thevaunted Hawk, whodied in 1998.Fleck’s win wasconsidered fluky,since he never wonanother event onthe PGA Tour — hedid win twice on thesenior circuit — butFleck remindedanyone who cared to listen thathe finished third in the famed1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hillsoutside Denver. That landmarktournament featured a victoriousArnold Palmer at his peak, arising star in then-amateur JackIn his 90s, Jack Fleck still likes to geton the course and get in his swingswhen he has the opportunity.Nicklaus, who finished second,and the fading Hogan, was sawhis last opportunity to win anOpen trickle into a greensidecreek on his last hole.That’s right. Fleck was third,just behind the greats Palmerand Nicklaus and ahead of Hogan.It’s hard to think of Fleck inthose terms as a “fluky” winnerfive years earlier.Mainly, he was just a journeymanpro who — in the dayswhen professionals didn’thit the lottery every weekendand coast with their riches —scratched out a living like therest of his breed and put hisgame together in one magicalfour-round stretch at Olympic.In 1981, Fleck married forthe second time and the couplemoved to Arkansas. In tinyMagazine a decade later, Fleckcarved out his own “Lil’ Bit AHeaven,” a nine-hole coursethat he tried his darnedest toJack Fleck, right, and Ben Hogan atthe 1955 U.S. Open in which Hoganappeared on his way to victory.maintain and keep open, eventhough Mother Nature wasn’talways willing. She flooded theplace in 1992.Eventually, Fleck gave up theproperty, and by last summer hewasn’t sure what had become ofthe “Lil’ Bit A Heaven.”But he was the deservingsubject of a book, “The LongestShot: Jack Fleck, Ben Hogan andPro Golf’s Greatest Upset at the1955 U.S. Open” that came outlast year. Neil Sagebiel wrote thebook, which takes golf fans asdeep as any tome ever has onthat classic major shocker thatstill confounds Hogan fans andgolf historians to this day.Last summer, Fleck lookedno different in his basic, slightphysique than he did in photographsfrom his pro golfing days— thin waist and possessing bighands to maneuver the clubheadand shape the ball the wayhe wanted, even at age 91.Like Bolt before him, Fleckhas enjoyed a long life afterhis serious golf days ended. Iwonder if it’s just coincidencethey both did that living theirlater years in this special Bit AHeaven: Arkansas.Photos by Associated Press42 ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER / 2013

2013 / ARKANSAS BUSINESS EXECUTIVE GOLFER 43