Designed for couples, families, golf groups, and corporate retreats, every detail at The Reunion is crafted to provide an extraordinary stay. From inviting living spaces to private terraces overlooking pristine fairways, each villa promises unforgettable moments and exceptional service.

The Villas range from cozy 1-bedroom retreats to spacious 4-bedroom suites, all equipped with modern amenities designed for your comfort. Enjoy big-screen TVs, fireplaces, private patios, walk-in showers, beverage bars, full kitchens, private bathrooms, La-Z-Boy recliners, plush luxury beds, and comfortable couches. Plus, golf carts are available with each villa, making it effortless to play your favorite golf courses like Granada, Diamante, and Isabella.

Experience luxury and convenience like never before-your perfect golf getaway awaits! "Our goal was to create a resort-style experience that allows guests to enjoy the beauty and recreation of Hot Springs Village," said Brandon Tedder, Co-Owner.

Future expansion plans include increasing villa availability for nightly rentals over the coming years to meet growing demand.

The Reunion Resort Villas invites you to relax in style, tee off on world-class courses, and make unforgettable memories in the South's premier golf getaway.

For reservations, call 501-356-5186 or visit TheReunionResortVillas.com.

As guests fall in love with Hot Springs Village, our trusted partner, Renaissance Homes-voted the best home builder in the community-helps bring their dreams to life. With expert craftsmanship, they create custom homes that perfectly blend luxury, comfort, and quality.

In partnership with local real estate agencies and the POA, we also offer comprehensive community tour options to help you explore all that Hot Springs Village has to offer.

ocation: 100 Maderas Place, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909

The Best Golf Getaway Experience in the South!

Give our readers an overview of your destination and why they should consider it for their next golf trip? Come explore Hot Spring Village nestled in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, North America's largest gated community.

Home to nine world-renown golf courses, over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails, 11 lakes, tennis and pickleball, beaches, over 20 restaurants and community activities for all ages, plus bocce ball, softball and lawn bowling, a farmer's market, RV park, dog park and more... Hot Springs Village offers something for everyone.

What are the must play courses in Hot Springs Village? Balboa Golf Course Practice your swing on Balboa Golf Club's walker-friendly course. Designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, Balboa's wide fairways and few elevation changes offer walkers a great place to take a stroll while getting in a game. Water hazards, bunkers and par 3s offer some challenges. Balboa's 18-hole golf course includes a driving range, putting green and short game area.

Coronado Golf Course Short on time, but still want to play golf? Then Coronado Golf Club's executive-length par-62 golf course is just the place. Designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, it is the only executive length course in Hot Springs Village. Although Coronado does not have sand bunkers, the course is as challenging from 150 yards as any other HSV course. Coronado also offers a putting green.

Cortez Golf Course Cortez Golf Club, designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, offers elevation changes, water hazards and five sets of tees that will keep most players happy. Cortez's No. 10 is considered one of the toughest holes in HSV and No. 17 is breathtaking. The course features a driving range and putting green.

DeSoto Golf Course DeSoto Golf Club is a great choice for families. The course, which was recently renovated, opened in 1972 as Hot Springs Village's first golf course. Designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, the 18-hole course has three finishing holes and includes two par 5s and a par 4. DeSoto also includes a driving range and putting green.

Granada Golf Course Ranked as one of the 10 best golf courses in the state by Golf Digest, Granada Golf Club is also known to be one of the most beautiful courses in Hot Springs Village. Enjoy the view of the waterfall meandering along the fairway of No. 18. The course, designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, includes par 3s, 4s and 5s. Granada also has a driving range, putting green and short game area.

Isabella Golf Course Isabella Golf Course in Hot Springs Village was Designed by Ault, Clark & Associates. The course is fun for both novice and professional, offering three nine-hole rotations - Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria - for a total of 27 holes of play. Ranked as the No. 1 course in Arkansas by Golf Digest, Isabella has plenty of twists, turns and elevation changes to bring challenges to the game. The course also has a driving range, putting green and short game area.

Magellan Golf Course Magellan Golf Club is one of the best practice facilities in Hot Springs Village. Magellan was originally opened as a three-hole golf school and includes an 18-hole golf course, a large driving range, putting green and several short game areas.

Ponce de Leon Golf Course Consistently ranked in the state's top ten courses by Golf Digest and Arkansas Business Journal, Ponce de Leon Golf Club is a favorite among golfers. Ponce's 18-hole golf course also includes a putting green and short game area.

What is the hidden gem and/or best value course? 153 Holes of Fantastic Golf Hidden Gems include Granada Golf Course with its beauty and challenging course, Ponce de Leon Golf with it's old style classic course for the low handicapper, Isabella Golf Course with it's 27-holes and lots of variation of play, and, Balboa Golf Course with the best greens in the Village.

Can you provide our readers with an ideal itinerary for a long weekend? Ideal Itinerary in Hot Springs Village, AR

Friday Afternoon: Play Granada Golf Course, Dine at Tanner's Neighborhood Grill for Dinner

Saturday: Play Balboa or 18-Holes on Ponce de Leon Golf Courses, Eat Breakfast at Mulligans on Ponce and Dine at Beehive for Dinner and Live Music or Charlie's for Pizza & Beer

Sunday: Tour the Village with RE/MAX to discover all the community has to offer, Eat Lunch at JK's at Isabella (restaurant on the course) then play Isabella Golf Course

After golf, what are the "must do" things or attractions to see? Oaklawn Gaming & Racing Shop and Dine Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs

What is the best time to travel? The best time to travel to Hot Springs Village, AR is in March - October. The mild climate makes outside adventure perfect this time of year, and, during summer months visitors enjoy our 11 lakes, 2-full service marinas, and 3 beaches as well as Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton nearby.

Anything else you would like to share about the Hot Springs Village? Hot Springs Village proper, located in west central Arkansas, just 20 minutes from historic Hot Springs and 45 minutes from Little Rock, offers a gated environment encompassing 9 golf courses, 11 lakes, 2 full-service marinas, 3 beaches, 30+ miles of hiking and biking natural trails, fitness center, 14- court pickleball center, dog park, 13- court tennis center, performing arts, farmer's market, community events, over 20 restaurants and much more with Mt. Biking Trails, Crystal Mining, Lake Ouachita, Oaklawn Gaming & Racing, Garvan Gardens, Magic Springs Theme Park, shopping and spas nearby.

Where can golfers go for more information to research and plan their trip? In Hot Springs Village, you can play a different golf course every day of the week... no two courses or holes are the same! And, Arkansas' temperate climate offers year-round play. Call RE/MAX of Hot Springs Village to find out more: 501-922-3777. Ask about our nightly rental homes, area coupons, free Village map, and no pressure community tours. Swing thru our championship golf courses today! Hot Springs Village 501-922-3777

Give Our Readers An Overview of the Golf Course/Property Opened in 1997, Eagle Crest Golf Course is the centerpiece of the approximately 450 acre master planned Eagle Crest community. The heavily treed 6,869 yard, Par 71 Golf Course was designed by Mark Hayes, a three time PGA tour winner from Oklahoma. Eagle Crest received a four star rating from Golf Digest in 2008 for "Best Places to Play", making it one of the top public courses in the State. We are one of 13 courses included on the Natural State Golf Trail of Arkansas.

In the foothills of the Ozark mountains, overlooking the Arkansas River Valley and the Ouachita mountain range, the varied topography of our lush Zoysia grass fairways will challenge your game and provide breathtaking views. Just off Interstate 40, in the city limits of Alma, our community is just minutes from Fort Smith and a short scenic drive from Fayetteville and Bentonville. The quiet natural beauty and abundant wildlife of the area, along with the superb Alma School district, makes our community an excellent choice for your family or for your retirement years.

Come see us at Eagle Crest Golf Course, where you will be welcomed by our friendly staff, enjoy beautiful views, and have a wonderful golfing experience.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course? An 18 hole golf course in NW Arkansas with vistas of the Arkansas River and Ouachita Mountains! We have 6869 yards of lush Zoysia fairways on our par 71 course. Come play a challenging course with views that are guaranteed to take your breath away!

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course? Eagle Crest Hole Descriptions

1. A good starting par 4 that requires a solid drive to the right side of fairway. A good drive will set up short to mid iron to an hour-glass shaped green that slopes back to front. Don't go long on your approach shot or par may be out of the question.

2. A long and very challenging par 3 surrounded by trees that demands a solid tee shot. Anything short will leave an uphill pitch from the rough or the bunker guarding the left side. Par here is a great score!

3. A straightforward par 4 with a wide fairway but still requiring an accurate tee shot to avoid trees on the left side of the tee. A good drive leaves a short iron shot into a well bunkered green. The green slopes back to front but anything on this green is a birdie opportunity.

4. The showcase hole at the entrance to the subdivision - a beautiful mid to short iron par 3 with a lake around the front and left sides of the green. A tee shot a little to the right of the green can kick off the bank and give you a birdie putt! Just tell your buddies that you meant to hit it there.

5. A risk-reward par 4 that can be very short if you dare to cut the corner of the dog leg. The right fairway bunker is a good aiming point for longer hitters - but short hitters can hit left of the bunker to a generous fairway leaving a mid to long iron into green. There are no flat putts on this green - leave an uphill putt if you want a birdie or even a par.

6. A reachable par5 with an uphill drive followed by a downhill dogleg right. Long hitters bomb it over the pine trees on right and short hitters play it left to open-up the second shot. Incredible views of the valley await as you walk up to your drive. A creek spillway runs along the left side to catch errant layup shots. Be thankful if the flag is in a front left pin position, otherwise the bunker will add another challenge. Get your birdie here as it is about to get tougher.

7. A long par 5 with a wide-open tee shot. However, that generous fairway on the drive narrows quickly as you approach the green with trees left and right. Your drive should favor the left side of fairway to open-up the tight second shot. The layup must be accurate because any shot off the fairway slopes hard toward the woods. With a good layup, the 3rd shot is to a generous green with no major undulation.

8. A signature par 3 hole. A mid iron tee shot over a beautiful ravine and rock cliff to a narrow green. Anything short will catch up in the thick rough. However, don't go too long unless you would like a challenging downhill chip to green that slopes back to front. Par is great score here.

9. The hardest hole on the front nine. A long par 4 that requires both accurate and controlled distance off the tee. The generous fairway is deceiving as you need to be on the left side to avoid having a blind second shot over a tree-filled ravine. Long hitters might hit 3 wood off the tee because a deep ravine can catch a drive that carries too far. Short hitters may have to bail out to the left of the ravine or layup short. Par is a great score here.

10. A straight away par 4 with trees on right and left. A good tee shot sets up mid to short iron into a large green that slopes back to front. A right-side pin position means a good chance to start the back nine with a birdie. In the evenings, you will often have an audience of a few deer on this hole.

11. A great dogleg left par 4 starting high up on the hill. A creek runs on both the left and right sides of fairway that creates a great challenge for long hitters who must be accurate if they want a wedge into the green. The second shot is both pretty and demanding! The narrow green is protected by a deep rock wall that covers left front of green. You can always bail out right, but the long and narrow sloping green makes for a difficult up and down. Par is a tremendous score here.

12. A long uphill par 5 unless you have the length to challenge the dog leg right and carry over the trees. The number 1 handicap hole for good reasons. After a safe tee shot you should lay up in the right side of the fairway that slopes hard left to right. The 3rd shot is short iron to an elevated green with a ridge running right down the middle of green. Errant approach shots can find creeks on left and right side of green. Watch out for the deer that love to play in the fairway in the mornings and evenings.

13. A short downhill par 3 secluded in the trees. The green is protected by a front bunker and slopes from back to front. Stay below the hole and you have a chance to walk away with a birdie. Before driving up to 14-tee, pause and take in the expansive view of the valley and mountains in the distance!

14. A great view of trees and two lakes from the tee of this par 4. A birdie hole for long hitters who can carry over the lake and avoid the two fairway bunkers - that are good directional targets for the tee shot. Short hitters need to play left of the lake and bunkers, but this leaves a long uphill second shot. The multi-tiered green provides good birdie opportunities.

15. A mid iron par 3 that requires a full carry over a lake with green guarded by a deep bunker on the front right. A bail out to the left is safe. Anything on the green here gives you a good birdie putt.

16. The easiest par 5 on the course. Hole 16 is a straight away hole with a generous landing area for the tee shot. A decent drive will have long hitters looking at a hybrid approach shot with no major hazards around the green. Short hitters can lay up close enough to the green for a short pitch shot. Birdie or eagle chance here.

17. A mid iron par 3 that plays slightly uphill. The green has a deep swale in front that catches many short tee shots. The green is long and slopes back to front. Keep the ball below the hole and you can make an easy par.

18. A stunningly beautiful finishing par 5 that overlooks the Arkansas river valley. The tee sits on top of the cliff well above the fairway that is in the valley below. Long hitters can bomb it with a tee shot that carries forever and makes this reachable in two. While trees on the left and native grasses on the right can catch errant shots from shorter hitters, don't let that cause you to lay up. After a good tee shot your approach must navigate 3 bunkers that guard the front and right side of fairway and green. Don't go long with your approach shot as there is another steep slope behind the green. The green is fairly flat and provides an excellent birdie or eagle chance to finish your round. Head down to the pro shop and pick up an Eagle Crest t-shirt with a colorful drawing of the 18th tee view!

Any recent changes to the golf course? Or any upcoming changes? The course reopened under new ownership with an enthusiastic management team. Improvements are being made throughout the course, including newly replaced greens. Renovations are being done on the pro shop and clubhouse facilities.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole? The 18th tee box is our signature hole. The views show off the Ouachita Mountains, Mount Magazine and the Arkansas river.

Back Tee Stats Par: 71 Yardage: 6869 Slope: 125 Rating: 73.3

More Information Eagle Crest Golf Course 3926 Golf Course Dr Alma, Arkansas, 72921 479-632-8857

El Dorado is the corporate home of Murphy USA; if you've ever purchased gas at a Walmart, odds are you've done business with them. The company has invested heavily in the community including the Murphy Arts District and the award-winning Historic downtown area.

El Dorado is also home to one of the nicest golf courses in the state and not surprisingly, it is owned by Murphy USA. Mystic Creek Golf Club opened in May of 2013 and was carved into the rolling timberlands that surround the town. The course was designed by Ken Dye who, oddly enough, is no relation to Pete. Ground was broken in 2001 and, after a series of misadventures, was finally completed in 2012. As you make your way around the course you'll find tall cathedral pines as you'd find at several courses around Augusta, high flashing bunkers styles similar to those on an A.W Tillinghast layout, and domed greens with runoffs similar to Pinehurst #2. Tee boxes, fairways, and greens grassed in Champion Bermuda are as beautiful to look at as they are fun to play on.

Mystic Creek is a semi-private golf course and although many players will tell you it's a tough course, it provides an unforgettable experience for golfers of all skill levels as long as you play from the tees that best suit your game. Memberships are available as are homes and homesites within the Mystic Creek community.

Mystic Creek is not without its fair share of accolades: GolfWeek Magazine has put it at the top of its "Best You Can Play List," and was recognized as one of the 'Best New Courses' by Golf Digest shortly after opening. They've also played host annually to the Symetra Tour's "El Dorado Shootout" and several NCAA Golf Championships. Mystic Creek is managed by Honours Golf, a division of Troon, so you know it's always going to be in prime condition. Mystic Creek is a stunning piece of property and features wide-open fairways, spectacular bunkering around the greens, and greens PGA TOUR players would be proud to play on.

Memorable Holes

Member's Favorite: Number 14, Par 5, 493 yards. This is both the most challenging and most photographed hole on the golf course. The left side is framed by a creek and native grasses while a group of fairway bunkers catches any errant shots hit down the right. With the tees forward and a good drive, the green can be reached in two. A more conservative play is to play your second shot short of the greenside bunker on the left and leave yourself a short pitch shot into the green. That's where things get interesting. The green is small and severely sloped from left to right. A pin located on the back shelf can be especially tricky and if you find the deep greenside bunkers, par can be tough. When the rough is cut down, it's not uncommon for balls to roll off the green and come to rest near the creek at the bottom of the hill. Take a par and run!

Assistant Pro Casey Wroot's Favorite Hole: Number 4: Par 3, 172 yards. For a guy that can hit the ball a long way, it's interesting that Casey's favorite is a par 3. Although it's the second-longest par 3 on the layout, it plays downhill and slightly shorter. Water surrounds the left and backside of the green and there are bunkers left side, front and back right. The ridge that divides the green is similar to the 16th hole at Augusta without the slope.

My Favorite Hole: Number 18: Par 5, 489 yards. A well-played drive down the left-center of the fairway will present you with a choice to either layup to the right side of the severely sloped fairway or go for the green in two. There's a strand of pine trees on the right and a fairway bunker left that catches anything pulled. If you choose to go for it, you'll need to avoid several bunkers and collection areas that guard the green. There are three distinct tiers to the green, so you'll need a good approach shot to have a chance at birdie or better.

Most Challenging Hole: Number 3, Par 4, 402 yards. According to the scorecard, this is the toughest hole on the course and one of the longest par 4s. Water flows all the way down the left side to the green and the double bend in the fairway puts a premium on accuracy. The conservative tee shot is down the right side but that will leave a long iron or hybrid into the green. A successful tee shot that challenges the water will leave a much shorter iron on approach. The green is one of Mystic Creek's largest and the deep bunker on the right side sees its fair share of play. Par is a good score here.

For visitors to the area, Mystic Creek offers some great Stay & Play packages through Troon Golf Vacations. Packages include 2 night's accommodations, 2 rounds of golf, and two days of car rental from Avis.

Mystic Creek offers a variety of memberships for singles, families, and juniors. If you prefer walking, you can purchase a membership without a cart and save some money. Memberships include all greens fees, cart fees (if applicable), and use of all practice facilities. As a member, you'll enjoy all the benefits of being a member of a Troon facility, with access to Troon facilities worldwide. For more information, visit them online.

If you live in the El Dorado area and are considering membership at a club, take a look at Mystic Creek. In addition to one of the State's best golf facilities, they'll soon have a brand new clubhouse and restaurant which are slated to open in 2021. Mystic Creek offers a variety of memberships, with and with golf carts included. For more information on memberships and to track the progress of the new clubhouse visit the Mystic Creek website at www.mysticcreekgolf.com.

For the majority of people, the main attraction seems to be golf and with 6 high quality courses to choose from, I can see why. The Highlands Golf Course is the longest and most challenging course in Bella Vista; it also seems to be the favorite of those I spoke with. Highlands is the home course for the Bentonville West, Gravette High School and Life Way golf teams. The course is carved out of the rolling terrain that surrounds the area and requires not only length but a lot of accuracy and control. Five sets of tees make Highlands a challenge regardless of skill level. Highlands boasts a full practice facility including a driving range, putting green and short game area.

The 2nd hole is the course's Number 1 handicap and is considered by most to be the toughest hole on any of Bella Vista's layouts. From the Blue tees, this monster par 4 plays 432 yards - albeit downhill - from an elevated tee box, through a narrow chute of trees lining either side. A good drive will still leave most players with a long iron or hybrid into a small green with a lot of undulation. As you can guess, par is a great score here.

Of the 6 courses at Bella Vista there is no other course like Scotsdale Golf Course, here or anywhere in the area. The course was recently renovated and plays much like a traditional Scottish links course, without the ocean of course! There are several creeks that meander throughout the course, some filled with water, some waiting for the rainy season to kick in. The new Champion Bermuda greens are surrounded by strategically placed bunkers and the designed collection areas create a course that is spectacular and requires surgical precision if you want to score well. The back nine is especially challenging and uses the natural hills and slopes of the terrain. Scottsdale has five sets of tees so it can be enjoyed by any level of golfer.

The 11th hole is a 413-yard par 4 and is the number 1 handicapped hole on the course. This dogleg left starts off with a blind tee shot around a corner that can be cut if you dare. The hill on the right side slopes down back to the fairway and 90 percent of the time when you catch the hill, you will find the fairway! Unfortunately, I was in the minority that day and was left with a long approach shot off a side hill lie. There is little room to bail out as you head towards the green and many golfers will be happy to get on in three and two-putt. After your round, be sure to check out the Scotsdale Clubhouse and Pub. They have a wide selection of Scotches, beers and ales and the Bella Vista Brat; while it's not exactly Scottish fare, it is a local favorite.

Bella Vista Country Club is a favorite stop for the Cooper Community Charity Classic. It's a very walkable course and features long narrow fairways flanked by mature trees. Several holes bring Little Sugar Creek into play and there is a significant amount of elevation change as well as mounding around many greens and their peripheries. It's a course you won't get tired of playing and never seems to play the same way twice.

Number 12 is an interesting par 5 that plays 535 yards from the Blue Tees. It's one of the tightest holes on the course with water down the right side and woods down the left. The water continues down the right side all the way to the green and then crosses in front; unless you are on the far left side, you're going to have to go over the water to get to the green. There's a deep bunker short of the green on the left side and the green is angled and a lot wider than it is deep. BVCC offers also offers five sets of tees and although there is no practice area on site, the Tanyard Creek Practice Center is nearby.

When it comes to eating, members, guests and visitors to Bella Vista won't go hungry! The Food and Beverage department is anchored by Chef Jerry James who attended the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY. Chef Jerry has worked at both private and non private country clubs including Fairfield Glade in Crossville, TN, where he worked as a corporate chef for several of their venues and claimed the title of Best Overall Taste five years in a row in local restaurant competitions. Chef Jerry joined the POA as Head Chef of the BV Bar & Grill when it opened in 2018. The grill has since proven to be a tremendous success and Chef Jerry was promoted to Head Chef of Lakepoint, allowing him to bring his casual, yet southern flair to his dishes.

Each golf course has a bar and grill, some are very popular. In addition to the aforementioned Scotsdale Clubhouse & Pub, The Highlands Pub is the perfect neighborhood hangout and features soup, nachos and grab-n-go items from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They also carry all of your favorite adult beverages. The Snack Bar over at the Dogwood course serves traditional clubhouse snack food including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, bacon & cheese biscuits, soda and beer.

The BV Bar & Grill - located in the clubhouse of the Bella Vista Country Club - is a great venue for both lunch and dinner. The ambience is excellent and the food even better. BV Bar & Grill is open daily from 11 AM - 9 PM with $3 Wines, Wells & Brews during Happy Hour from 3 to 6 PM. There are daily specials every day of the week, such as a Chef Jerry's $20 prime rib dinner on Tuesday nights. The BV Bar & Grill offers a variety of appetizers, salads, hot and cold sandwiches and several entrees. If you're still hungry after your main course, try their Big Brownie Sunday, but you better have someone to share it with!

Bella Vista's flagship dining venue is the beautifully appointed Lakepoint Restaurant. Happy Hour at the Patio Lounge is a great place to watch the sun set over the lake during the winter months and their Tasting Room offers wine and appetizer specials with indoor and outdoor seating with a lakeside view. Lakepoint's Sunday Brunch is a very popular event and often requires reservations.

Although there is a lot more to do at Bella Vista than golf and eat, these may be the only reasons you need to think about relocating to the area.

"Hot Springs Village offers one of the most dramatic golf settings in the state with nine golf clubs located in the 26,000 acres of the the Village. Joining the prestigious Natural State Golf Trail is a wonderful opportunity for Hot Springs Village to partner with other elite golf courses in Arkansas.

Isabella Golf Club, which was ranked as the #1 course in the state by Golf Digest and the Arkansas Business Journal, will be a great addition to the Trail. This new partnership between Hot Springs Village Golf and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism will enhance the Natural State as a great golfing destination," says Tom Heffer, PGA Golf Professional and Director Golf in Hot Springs Village.

The Arkansas Golf Trail provides golf packages and information for travelers from across the country looking to navigate the state and include golf on their visits and vacations. The Trail has established marketing partnerships with the Arkansas Hospitality Association and the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism to help promote the best public access golf courses in Arkansas. Visit ArkansasGolfTrail.com for more information or to plan your trip.

Opened in 2000 and less than an hour from Little Rock, Isabella Golf Club continues to receive high rankings year after year as an outstanding 27 hole complex. The original 18 holes were built with wide fairways, bent grass greens guarded by water hazards and bunkers, beautiful scenery and 5 sets of tees. The addition of the third nine in 2006 allows the courses to be played as three 18 hole rotations. Designed by Ault, Clark & Associates, the three nines are uniquely named- Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. Facilities include a nice-size driving range, separate chipping and putting greens. The clubhouse includes a well-stocked pro shop and the Saint restaurant. Troon invited me to Hot Springs Village to check out their outstanding assortment of golf courses and Isabella stood out as one of my faves among the 9 at the Village.

"Adding Isabella in the Hot Springs Village has always been a goal of the Trail, and we are excited to begin working with them. It brings even more legitimacy to our program. Arkansas is a unique destination with strong golf selections and adding Isabella only solidifies that," said Arkansas Golf Trail program manager and golf professional Christina Lecuyer.

Isabella Golf Club is nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains and offers beautiful views in addition to setting on two of Hot Springs Village's eleven recreational lakes. The course offers a world class golf experience for avid and recreational golfers, and is perfectly suited for golf outings. and welcomes charity functions with the exceptional management of Troon Golf. Go to NaturalStateGolfTrail.com to learn more.

Mystic Creek Golf Club was carved from the rolling terrain and timberlands of southern Arkansas by ASGCA architect Ken Dye Jr. on a 510 acre tract and was immediately recognized as one of the 'Best New Courses' by Golf Digest. This semi private par 72 course reaches to 7,492 yards flowing through the Cathedral piney woods similar to Augusta National. The high flashing bunkers are reminiscent of A. W. Tillinghast's masterpiece at Winged Foot and the domed greens with runoffs would make Donald Ross proud as he did at Pinehurst #2. Mystic Creek is an unforgettable golf experience for all levels of players with multiple tee boxes to make the length suitable to your game.

"Mystic Creek is a stunning course on what can only be described as a magnificent piece of property," said Bob Barrett, CEO of Honours Golf. "With generous fairways and dramatic bunkering, the course offers tour-quality playing surfaces while delivering an exciting and memorable round every time you play. Mystic Creek is a true gem. We look forward to enhancing the member and guest experience." To book a tee time, find out about memberships, call 870-312-0723 or visit MysticCreekGolf.com.

Can you provide our readers a brief biography? Have been in golf course design and construction for almost 30 years, and prior to that was the men's golf coach at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you to the game? My major professor at the Univ. of Arkansas got me started playing when I was 20, and have been hooked since, kind of like love at first sight. My first round of golf was at a local public course, and I shot 121! After a few years, a local teaching pro kind of took me under his wing, taught me how to play, and I have been a single digit handicap now for nearly 30 yrs.

What is your current home course? I currently live in Bella Vista, Arkansas where we have 8 golf courses, but I play most of my golf at Paradise Valley Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is not quite 50 years old, about 6900 from the tips and has a good variety of dogleg left and right holes, tiny very fast greens. One of the best courses in Arkansas.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment? I am most proud of having worked with Dr. Mike Hurdzan as a golf course designer for 20 years, and second would be becoming a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course? Like a lot of other golfers, my biggest gripe is slow play. At our club, we can play 18 holes as a 5-some in 3 and 1/2 hours. There is no excuse for slow play, doesn't matter if you are a 24 handicapper or a touring pro.

What is your favorite club in your bag and why? My favorite club is an old Ping sand wedge. I use it for almost every shot from about 100 yards in, can hit it high, low, use it for bump and run, lots of different shots.

What is your favorite golf destination? This is a tough one as I have 3 places and I love all of them. There is no place in the world like Scotland and to an architect it is awesome to see and play places where Old Tom Morris, James Braid, and many others played and plied their trade. Australia is also great with courses like New South Wales, Royal Melbourne and many others and the people are great too. In the States, it is probably Pinehurst, great place to stay and play.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet? There are not many. I am not really a fan of all the new courses as I really like the ones that have been around 75 years or more. If I had to pick one, maybe Highland Links in Nova Scotia by Stanley Thompson. He did some great courses and I am sure that one is also. Just last year I did scratch one course off my list and that was Brora Golf Club north of Dornoch is Scotland, great course by James Braid.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play? I always tell people when I travel to Australia, I play New South Wales the day before I fly back to the states. That is in case the plane goes down in the Pacific, the last round I played was on one of the great courses in the world, by Mackenzie and Souter.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why? This is a tough one but it would be a perception in that longer and harder courses are better. We have become enamored with length. Sure it's fun to hit the ball long and I am as guilty as the next golfer, but I have played great courses that are only 5800 yards long that brought meet to my knees.

Dream foursome (living)? My dream foursome living are the same guys I play golf with every day and have played with off and on for over 30 years. We have fun, drink a little single malt whiskey and smoke the occasional cigar, great friends, great times.

Dream foursome (living or dead)? It would probably be a blast to play golf with Old Tom Morris, James Braid and Harry Vardon and see how well they play with the old hickories.

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One? I have had only one hole-in-one, lots of luck there, but to shoot 65 or 66 is a lot more fun.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight? I am not an early riser, so late in the day is better.

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw? Don't care as I hit both.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house? Depends on who is driving the beverage cart...

6) Bathroom OR bushes? Whichever is most convenient when the need arises.

7) Hot dog OR wrap? A hot dog for sure, a wrap may be un-American.

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough? Much prefer the sand, as long as the ball is not plugged!

9) Walking OR riding? Walking and carrying the bag.

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid? Neither, largest iron in the bag is a 5 iron, then I go to a 7 wood.

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5? I don't like long par 5's that are unreachable, takes the fun out of it, so I guess a long par 3 like 16 at Cypress Point.

12) Pants OR Shorts? Depends on the weather.

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus? No comment.

14) Beatles OR Elvis? Either one, I grew up with the Beatles but Elvis was awesome too.

15) Play for fun OR play for money? You have to play for something, it makes those 3-footers mean more.

16) Bump and run OR flop shot? I was playing the flop shot before Tiger was on Johnny Carson, it's fun to try, and great when you pull it off.

17) Lay up OR gamble? Depends on how the match stands.

18) 18 holes OR 36? As I get older, a good 18 and a nice chat in the bar or on the patio after the round with a good glass of Scotch!

Whether you seek to challenge your skills on world-class championship golf courses or just play for the pure joy of the sport, these 14 great Arkansas golf courses will provide you with everything you need and more. And when you're not on the links, you can fish our famous streams, relax in luxurious spas, shop for hidden treasures, explore American history and savor the authentic flavors of the South.

The 14 courses at 12 locations featured on the Natural State's Golf Trail provide the perfect path for you to follow your passion for the game, while experiencing the many pleasures available in Arkansas.

To plan your Natural State Golf Trail vacation or to reserve tee times, please call toll free 1-866-2-Golf-AR or www.naturalstategolftrail.com.

The license plate costs $25 with the money going to The Arkansas Golf Association.

For more information visit DFA