Fairway Notes

Summer has finally arrived! After receiving more than 9 inches of rain in June, the course has finally dried enough for us to catch up on mowing the rough and other short-grass areas. Unfortunately, just as we began making progress throughout the last three weeks of June, another round of rain would send us back to the maintenance building. While leaving mower tracks is unavoidable at times, mowing when the ground is too wet can create deep ruts, which we work hard to avoid.

We appreciate your patience as we continue catching up. It will take several mowing cycles to bring the Bermuda and zoysia turf back to our normal standards and to fully disperse the accumulated grass clippings.

Our greens fans have been running for several weeks to provide consistent air movement across the putting surfaces. This airflow creates a healthier environment for our bentgrass greens by helping keep surface temperatures lower during periods of heat stress. These fans are an essential part of our summer bentgrass management program and play an important role at golf courses throughout Bella Vista.

Hand watering of the greens is also underway. If you see a staff member watering a green, please do not hit into them. They are performing an important task to maintain healthy playing conditions and will be clear of the green as quickly as possible. Your patience and consideration are greatly appreciated.

The zoysia fairways continue to exceed my expectations. Many of the thin areas we saw just a few weeks ago have already filled in completely, and I expect the remaining areas to be fully established by the end of July or mid-August. I recently applied a herbicide to eliminate the remaining Bermuda grass in the fairways. While the application temporarily affected some turf along the fairway edges, those areas will recover over the coming weeks. As the zoysia continues to mature, it will naturally outcompete any remaining Bermuda. With drier weather, we will also be able to maintain a more consistent mowing schedule, something that was difficult throughout June.

Progress on the repair work along the left side of Hole #1 was also slowed by the rainy weather, but the project is now nearing completion. The MAC Department construction team has done an outstanding job filling, stabilizing, and reshaping this difficult-to-access area. Their work will result in a significant improvement to the course. I can’t thank them enough for their willingness to respond on short notice and for the exceptional work they continue to do. They are truly an indispensable part of our team.

See you on the course.

The 9-Hole Women’s Group is dedicated to establishing long lasting friendships and improving golf skills. The group plays Monday mornings rotating among the six Bella Vista golf courses. Play includes a series of individual and team games, using handicaps, giving all players a chance to win.

All women golfers who want to have fun and build their golf skills are welcome whether you are new to golf, new to Bella Vista or would like to make new friends.

For more information please contact: Beth Shaw bshaw163@me.com 918-606-2017

The Bella Vista Women’s Five + Four Hole Golf Association was founded in 1973 and the group welcomes POA members of all golf levels. Most importantly, 5-Hole golf offers it all – fun, new friends, and exercise.

The group plays at Brittany golf course where golfers have the option to walk or use carts. Play is on Monday, with morning tee times April through October. Members score the first five holes of play, after which players can quit or finish out the nine-hole course. A variety of games are played (scrambles, closest to the pin, longest drive, etc.) No handicaps are used.

Annual dues are $15. You can find an application form and more information on our website: sites.google.com/site/bv5wga or contact Judy Schenk 870-688-8222 or Carlotta Harned 479-426-2496.

BVWGC is the largest 18-hole women’s golf club in Bella Vista. The objective of the club is the promotion of golf in this area in accordance with USGA rules. BVWGC membership is open to all ladies who are 18 years of age or older.

The weekly schedule features different games and play on all Bella Vista courses. There are weekly prizes in all flights. It is the best way to meet new friends, have fun and share your love of golf.

Benefits of membership in the Women’s 18 Golf Club include the following: easy weekly sign up so you can play every week or whenever you wish; automatic membership in NWA Golf Association; eligibility for Firecracker, Women’s Club Championship, NWA Tournaments and other special events; join the Hole-In-One Club for $10 more.

For more information about the Bella Vista Women’s Golf Club and how to sign up for the 2026 visit the website bvwgc.com/

The Bella Vista 9-Hole Men’s Golf Association plays Wednesdays with tee times April through October. Members play all Bella Vista courses from the red tees, (gold and white tees are optional) for the season with four handicapped flights and weekly sponsored hole prizes.

A hole in one pot and lunch fees are optional.

Applications are available in the pro shops and can be downloaded from the POA website as well as our website at sites.google.com/site/bv9mga2020/

The 2026 18-Hole MGA (Men’s Golf Association) season includes play every Tuesday morning from April 7 – Oct. 27.

All MGA golfers must have a current GHIN handicap. The 2026 MGA registration fee is $80 per player (same as 2025) which averages to $2.67 per week over 30 weeks.

If you’ve never played with this group before open our website and browse through the information all about the MGA, a group of about 100 men who play competitive golf amongst friends. You will learn we play an assortment of golf games that have weekly team and individual payouts supported by the $80 dues and generous local sponsors.

Your MGA board is happy to answer any questions. Bob Kronner, Gary Nelson, Donny Black, Jim Angstead, Jim Brennan, John Schmitt, and Al Luzum are MGA Board member volunteers for 2026.

The Oldes Men’s 9 Hole Golf Group plays Tuesday mornings at all of the Bella Vista courses. The group usually plays a Texas Scramble and all events are handicapped. Play is from the red tees.

This is a social group and all of the members are encouraged to mix and make new friends. There is a $3 entry fee per event and there are no fees to join the group. Contact Barry at 479-403-0507 or owenb4620@gmail.com…Read more by