I'll be traveling through the area in November on my way to Iowa for Thanksgiving. What course(s) should I play?

We're having a C-tier PDGA sactioned event at the new course in Greenwood Ar. on Nov. 7 !!!!

If you come through at that time, if not there's Ben Geren in Fort Smith or Alma greens in Alma !!!!!

All challenging courses for all different skill levels !!!!! :)

If you are on a strict schedule staying to main roads (interstate), you will want to hit Ben Geren (Fort Smith) or Alma (although I am more partial to Alma as it has better scenery and shot variety) which are right off of Interstate 40. Then when you get to Northwest Arkansas you have Northshore, Bella Vista (long), JB Hunt (find a local to play with you) and (the newest course in the state) 13 Hole - Sports Life. Which are all not too far off of I-540.

If you come up 71 from Texarkana you could do Hot Springs and Greenwood.

If you just weant to hit the best course in the state, and you have time to go about 2 hours out of your way, go to Horseshoe Canyon in Jasper (NorthCentral). Private course set up in a big canyon with amazing views and holes).

HORSESHOE CANYON - Worth going out of the way for



FORT SMITH AREA:

Ben Geren, maintained, challenging

Alma, very scenic and great variety, possibility of front 9 not being mowed

Greenwood, very well maintained, shorter course



NORTHWEST ARK:

Bella Vista, most challenging

Northshore, challenging

Sports Life (13 holes), I've not played it but heard good things

JB Hunt, 9 holes, no signage, tee-areas are difficult to locate, find a local if you go, nice challenging layout, couple of baskets are damaged from storms


I-40:

Russellville, best public course in the state

Burns Park, 2 18 hole courses, good variety and challenge

off of I-40, if you wind up in the Hot Springs area, very nice wooded Houck design course



All of these are on the course directory

C Tier on Nov. 7 in Greenwood
Fort smith area mini tournament info is on wafda.org

I was thinking of driving directly through the state of MO on my way to Iowa and it looks on paper like taking Ft. Smith up through Ozark National Forest to Harrison to Branson to Springfield will be a sweet drive. That will put me right through Jasper so I might have to check that out. If its the best course int he state then I'll likely do that. Is that drive senic?

Definitely a beautiful drive. That is one of the most scenic parts of the state, and if it puts you going by Horseshoe, so much the better! It is however a slower drive, as it is not Interstate, but is very twisty, hilly state highways. You will probably be a bit late for the fall colors, but the leaves off gives you that much more view of the country.
If you have the time, it is definetely worth the trip.
For speed, you can go up to Fayetteville and then across Hwy 412, until you come to Hwy 21 (East of Hunsville, North of Kingston), then take it past Boxley and Ponca (Valley of Arkansas Elk) to Hwy 74 that Horseshoe is on.

For view and scenery, you can go to Russellville Arkansas (on down I-40 and hour or so past Ft. Smith) and then go up Scenic Hwy. 7 (National Scenic Byway) until you get to Jasper, where you will turn back West on Hwy 74 to Horseshoe.

The Ranch site is www.gohcr.com, for details.

Hope you enjoy your trip through the state. If you decide to make a stop in the Ft. Smith/Alma area give me a call and I'll try to get a round in with you.

Thanks!

I've decided to bypass the canyon to save some time. I'll most likely hit up the Alma course. Anything I should know before playing that one.

The front plays very open and long with a cliff side on the right side of the fairway for holes 1-4. hole 5 plays off the cliff and then 6 plays up hill. 7 plays down off the dam. and then 8-18 all play in tight woods but very short holes some go down in the 180's i think but still very difficult. To get to the course you want to be up near the big Green tower (popeye) you will drive on a road that takes you right behind the tower and then pull into the first parking lot gravel area you see on your left after that tower.

If you get lost feel free to call me and I will guide you right into the course.
479-739-2266, also what day are you playing alma and what time as I may be able to come out and hit up a round with you.

If you get lost feel free to call me and I will guide you right into the course. 479-739-2266, also what day are you playing alma and what time as I may be able to come out and hit up a round with you.

I'll be there on Monday November 23rd. I am staying Dallas on Sunday night and the drive in from Big D which looks to be about a 5 - 6.5 hour drive depending on the route. I'll probably take the fast route unless there is something really cool to see along the way in Antlers, Clayton, or Talihina Oklahoma :cool:. That should put me at the course sometime between 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM. Then after the round its off to Springfield, MO.