The Spring River Area Chamber of Commerce and the Quad Cities Rotary Club of Sharp County hosted the 30TH Annual Spring River Open Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 26 at the South Golf Course in Cherokee Village, Akansas to raise funds for community projects throughout the area.
A total of 28 4-person teams competed in three flights. Each flight had a first, second, and third place winning team who each golfer received $150, $125, or $100, respectively, in cash prizes raised from entry fees. This recent-year record participation of teams allowed for a record setting $7,500+ raised for the two civic organizations. Funds will be used for each groups’s goals, such as: scholarship, economic advancement, literacy projects, school supplies for area youth, food pantry needs, and other various community requests throughout the year.
“We had perfect late-June weather for a fun filled day of golf at the South Course,” said Ethan Barnes, Immediate Past-President of the SRACC and Immediate Past-President of the Quad-Cities Rotaty Club. “Everyone had a smile on their face as the sport of golf returned to the Village for a tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic. I saw a lot of golfers on the course that I have not seen in a long time. It was nice to be back out in the community in a public setting—raising funds for an important cause with our friends and neighbors. Special thanks to the Pro Shop Staff for their assistance with the tournament. We are very proud of this year’s success and thank all of our sponsors.”
The First Flight and overall champion golfers of the day with a score of 56 were Aaron Circle, Nathan Circle, Austin Circle, andJeremy Woodbridge (1st); Brett Morrow, Ralph Morrow, Zach Coker, and Anthony Housman finished in second place with a score of 57 (second); and Steve Powell, Ross Carter, Wayne Harris, and Michael Hurt finished in third place with a score of 59(third). The Second Flight winners were: John Waleszonia, Chris Keton, Ben Keton, and Steve Sipa with a score of 64 (first); Mike McDaniel, Kyle Birmingham, Rocky Morgan, and Mark Peyton finished in second place with a round of 64 (second); Bob Moore, Mike Clute, Jim Branch and Steve Ross took third place also with a score of 64 (third). The Third Flight team in first place were: Jason Rhodes, Ron Rhodes, Judd Dun, and Adam Wulff with a round of 66 (first); Sonny Grieshaber, Brent Watts, Pat Robinson, and JR Hester also posted a round of 66 (second); Joeb Easterday, Robert Sterns, Teddy Dulaney, and Mark Harris also scored a 66 on the day (third).
Cherokee Village Mayor Russ Stokes kindly sponsored a treat for golfers on June 26— a Closest to the Pin Cash Prize in the amount of $500 on Hole 16 for five skilled golfers who could stroke the ball closest to the cup! Each winner took home $100 each and they were: Lance Vericker, John Hansen, Jerome Mitchell, Brent Watts, and Jed Porter. Other hole prizes for the day paid out a crisp $20bill per hole. Those winners included: Derek Broadway, Austin Circle, Ralph Morrow (2x), Andrew Restidge, Zach Coker, Gary McCord (2x), Jeremy Wooldridge, Russ Stokes,Hayden Cockrill, James Blackburn, Brent Watts, Kevin Hall, and Chris Keton.
“Thank you to all of our sponsors,” said Fred Holzhauer. “We could not have done this tournament without you. It’s the generous pockets of many community supporters who allow our organizations to continue to do good deeds, in addition to promoting and supporting local businesses and tourism in the Spring River Area.”
Major Sponsors include: First Community Bank, Centennial Bank,FNBC Bank, and White River Health Systems WRMC Medical Complex at Cherokee Village. Other sponsors Included; King-Rhodes & Associates Real Estate, American Land Company, Driving Range and Ball Sponsor; Evolve Bank & Trust, Picture Sponsor; Sharp County Outdoors in Ash Flat, a $10,000 Hole-in-One Sponsor; Cherokee Village Mayor Russ Stokes, Closest to the Pin on Hole 16 Sponsor, and Sharp County Bootlegger Liquor Store in Ash Flat and Canyon Construction as Refreshment Sponsors.
Hole sponsors include: Ash Flat Livestock Auction; Century 21 Wright-Pace Realty; City of Cherokee Village, Russ Stokes Mayor; Coldwell Banker Ozark Real Estate; Community Insurance Professionals; Copper Feather; Crawford Service Co. Commercial Cleaners; Crown Lake RV Resort; Davidson Drug; Eagle Crest Nursing & Rehab; Edward Jones Investments, Fair Auto Body & Collision; Farm Bureau-Paul Higgenbottom; Farmers Insurance Janet Smart; Fran Cavenaugh; Frontier Lanes; Goings & Assoc., Hallmark Times; Haney’s Lawn Service; Hardy Insurance; Hardy Spring River Lodge; Highland Supply; Highland Wholesale Motors; Hometown Radio; JCar Tire & Commercial Truck Center; Johns Auto Body & Towing; Lakeview Restaurant; Legacy Hospice of NE Arkansas; Mike Watson State Farm; Mobil Oil Co.; Ozark Classic Crafts Mall; Ozark Gateway Realty OGWLLC;Ozarka College; People’s Company; Rox Outfitters; Sears in Ash Flat; Sharp County Tltle; Sneedo’s Custom Hauling; Spring River Draft House; Therapy Works, Inc.; TnT Gymnastics Academy; Tri County Medical Supply; Triple D Package Store; Triple R Pawn; Twomey PC Repair; United Country Cotham & Co., and Video Real Estate.
“We’d like to thank But First, Coffee in Ash Flat for providing hot coffee on Saturday morning for our golfers; their brew is great, you’ve got to try it!” Barnes said. “McDonald’s in Hardy did a great job also with a hot breakfast for our volunteers and golfers. Everyone had a full belly from Bob & Sandy’s Beach Club BBQ as lunch was served, as well. Our golfers did not go without!” Many golfers came from out of town, such as Jonesboro and Batesville, and all were pleased with the organization’s event, amenities, food and had a great time on what many said was their “favorite golf course” to visit in Arkansas.
Barnes and Holzhauer also thanked the volunteers who made the day possible, including, Laura Clute, Hazelle Whited, Debra Ball, Joey Cooper, Della Shackleford, Leanne Rowe, Greg and Laura Lute, Linda Hall, Kay Forrest, Will Shortnacy, Clint Wiles,Spencer Wiles, David Webb, the entire staff at the golf shop, SID, all Rotarians, and all SRACC Board Members who helped raise funds for the organizations. “Our tournament is a joint effort from many individuals, but we simply could not have produced the dividends from the tournament without the SRACC Executive Director, Kari Hollis, who coordinated all of the back office duties, invoicing, and team registration for the event. Her work was a major key to the success of our fundraiser. We sincerely thank Mrs. Hollis for her service to the community as our chamber point of contact for Ash Flat, Cherokee Village, Hardy, and Highland businesses in the surrounding north-central Arkansas area.” Said Barnes.
