2023 News

December 11, 2023 – Tis the season: decorating the tree, signing cards, wrapping presents, shopping for last-minute goodies, icing cookies, and making a tee time for that gorgeous winter day. We can’t let golf get crowded out. Besides, don’t we all love that extra winter roll on the fairways? It’s time to renew our GHIN handicap fee of $30, so stop by any pro shop where they can handle the transaction for you. You will also need your GHIN # and POA#. Have you registered for your 2024 WGC membership? Wouldn’t it dampen a holiday spirit if you hit a magical hole-in-one shot but hadn’t renewed? Oh no! Let’s ask a neighbor or a new lady we might meet to join the WGC. Soon the holidays will be packed away, and the anticipation of a new season will fill us with renewed hopes and dreams. How we do love golf! The game touches us, doesn’t it. To all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year.

Thursday, October 26, 2023 – Can you believe it? Our 2023 WGC golf season has ended. It’s such a cliché, but oh, so true. The morning rain didn’t dare dampen any spirits while we gathered in the Fellowship Hall at St. Bernard’s. All the fall-themed tables were inviting and exquisite. Once again Papa Mike’s catered a delicious breakfast, and the club applauded Mike and wished him the best in his retirement. What fabulous gifts our club champions were surprised with. Penny Williams, Jackie Gains (we missed you!), Ronnie Nelson, and Marilyn Fabits each received personalized, embroidered jackets and golf towels, the handiwork done by former WGC member Deb Metz. Beautiful! As the colorful fall leaves scatter over our Bella Vista golf courses, it is not the time to stash our clubs in a corner of the garage. Maybe we need a November resolution: call one of the pros and set up a lesson or – wow – order new clubs! But what a fun, exciting season 2023 has been. Let’s all forget the excruciating heat last summer offered and venture forth into a delightful fall season. There might be some birdies, or even a hole-in-one, waiting for any one of us! See you around the Village.

Nancy Shy got her first ever Hole-in-One at Dogwood on Monday, October 16th. She hit a 100 yard shot on hole #2 with her Callaway 9 iron, using a Srixon ball. Witnesses were Mary Riorden and Marianne Smyth. Congratulations, Nancy!

October 5, 2023 – Everyone was a winner at the 12 th Annual Bella Vista WGC/MGA Scramble at Kingswood Golf Course. We outfoxed the weather and shelved those contingency plans. As we were emptying our rain gauges the chances of playing golf looked pretty slim. That changed as the huge blob on the radar skirted our slice of heaven. It was game on with blue skies, warm sunshine, and lots of laughter with golfers we’d never played with before. After 18 holes of golf, we were greeted at the Kingsdale pavilion with those delicious, cooked-to-perfection hamburgers, compliments of Arvest. Bella Vista Wine and Spirits provided beverages and treated us to a tasting table. 

WGC ladies – Reminder – November 4th , Saturday, between 8 and 10 AM is Ladies’ Open House. (The invitation said we could show up in a robe!) 

A really lucky winner was Lyle Brierly who pocketed a sweet $147 from the 50/50 raffle. What a great day! Outsmarting the weather is one thing, but playing golf in Bella Vista with the MGA is a real treat.

September 14, 2023 – Surprises and gasps filled the delightful summer air as winners were announced at the conclusion to the WGC Club Championship. The Club owes Linda Roberts and Jan Holm a huge thank you for putting together a flawless tournament that included ideal September weather. Linda and Jan had considerable praise for the magical elves who worked behind the scenes. Our president Jan Simms acknowledged Dolores Bowlin and her 52 straight years of playing in the club championship. Wow! Now that’s an amazing record! The colorful fall-flower arrangement Dolores received was as beautiful as Dolores is. Anticipation for winners’ names filled the Kingsdale Pavilion while Papa Mike’s tasty pulled pork and chicken and beverages from Bella Vista Wine and Spirits curbed appetites and thirsts. Finally, drum roll, Gavin and Paul arrived with the names to match the envelopes. And the winners are: Red Tees Club Champion is Penny Williams and Net Champion is Jackie Gains. Gold Tees Club Champion is Ronnie Nelson and Net Champion is Marilyn Fabits. Congratulations and Hugs to all our winners. Let’s finish this season strong and enjoy the cooler fall weather.

September 14, 2023 – Congratulations to the 2023 WGC Club Champions! Pictured left to right: Jackie Gains, Red Low Net Champion, Penny Williams, Red Low Gross Champion, Marilyn Fabits, Gold Low Net Champion, and Ronnie Nelson, Gold Low Gross Champion

Catch all the pics here - Day 1 Day 2 Before Play  Day 2 After Play, Lunch, Celebrate Delores  CTP, Longest Putt, Flight Awards  Day 2 Champions

August 2, 2023 – It’s here! The time has arrived. Yes, our WGC Club Championship takes place in a few weeks. The colorful flyer is posted on our website and on our Kingsdale bulletin board, and the first play date is open on Golf Genius. Wednesday, September 13, is day one at the Bella Vista Country Club and Thursday, September 14, is day two at Kingswood. Both days have 7:00 a.m. check-in. No one wants to hear any excuses – so, join in the fun and sign up. Of course, most of us think we aren’t going to be the champion; however, we can admit we will be playing with friends and sharing quips and compliments. There will be CTP and Longest Putt prizes and plenty of flights to fit your handicap. So again, no excuses! There will be fun out there. Or think about the luncheon and awards on Thursday. We will gather at the Kingsdale Pavilion and share stories, laughter and cheers for the winners. That might include you! You never know! Write the  check and click Sign Up on Golf Genius. See you at the Club Championship – it’s almost here!

Late news, but great news! Dee Korte had a Hole-in-One on June  26th on #2 at the BVCC, witnessed by Darla Luzum, Becky Turner, and Ardell Stoops. Congratulations Dee!

Thursday, June 29, 2023 – The WGC Firecracker Scramble carried on through heat, humidity and grit. Ninety-six players fought high temperatures and heat advisories at the Bella Vista Country Club, all because we love our Red/White/and Blue golf festivities. We can’t thank our sponsor, Arvest, enough for supplying us with Gatorade and water. It seemed that the Arvest ladies came by so frequently, but perhaps they discovered a moving cart kept them cooler. By 1:00 we headed to St. Bernard’s Hall for lunch, prizes and our mid-season meeting. Thank you, Penny and Julia, for providing the National Anthem. What a fun, traditional way to enjoy golf and express gratitude for our freedom-loving country. Susan Nuttall claimed she never wins. She can’t say that anymore. Susan took home the nifty, new golf bag. Then Laurie Schoenbaum, another voice from the I-never-win-crowd, pocketed a cool $157 from the 50/50 raffle. Our WGC charities will benefit from the other half. Plus, did you see some new faces at the Firecracker? Be sure and introduce yourself to our ten new WGC ladies. What a great day! If you didn’t have at least one good laugh today, please let your ideas flow on the year-end survey. Ah, freedom and liberty. Happy Independence Day, WGC. Enjoy!

May 29, 2023 – Reminders…On Wednesday, June 7, between 5:00 and 8:30 is our WGC fundraiser at Blu Fish House in Bentonville. Aren’t you hungry for some delicious shrimp, or some salmon, or maybe grouper? It’s just a golden opportunity to forget time in the kitchen and have some fun! Also…it’s time to find a partner for our annual Firecracker Scramble. This gala event is Thursday, June 29, at the Bella Vista Country Club. Be sure and pocket extra dollars in your patriotic attire for 50/50 and the golf bag raffle. The plans include fun, laughter and more fun. By the way, give Gayle Placial a huge thank you for the colorful, creative flyers that she designs for WGC activities. They are exquisite! So, we will certainly be busy with these June activities.

May 11, 2023 – Thursday – It’s never a good sign if you are using your windshield wipers while driving to the golf course. And rain it did! How many wet towels, head covers, and jackets are spread out in your garage? But fun it was. Some canceled, many stopped on the front nine, and a few played all 18 holes. One thing for sure – it wasn’t a day to worry about a hair-do.

The lunch gathering at the Metfield pavilion proved to be the perfect shelter. Lunch was catered by Wesner’s Grill in Rogers, compliments of Darrin Hewitt of Edward Jones. Beverages were provided by Stephanie Anderson of Bella Vista Wine and Spirits. (Please add to your calendar May 24th when Stephanie is hosting a fundraiser for the WGC between 3:30 and 5:30. Stop by for tasting and purchases!) Our speaker was Ken Parrish from Franklin Templeton Investments. Ken spoke about a recession, investing, digital currency, and the banking industry. His warning: the television set is not your financial advisor.

Several won door prizes, many of which were donated by Mark Adams, Liz’s husband; others wondered if their name was even in the pot! 50/50 was a real winner for Lisa Vines. She pocketed a cool $147. The other half goes to the WGC’s charities.

What a fun day! That pesky rain was a minor inconvenience.

by Jean Meadows, WGC Club Reporter

Well, she's in the news again! This time, she had a Hole-in-One on May 5th during the Bowlin Cup series. She hit a 105 yard shot, with a 5 hybrid, on #14 at the BVCC, witnessed by DeeAnna Smith, Barb Tiedemann, and Alice Panter. Congratulations Pam!

Wednesday, April 26, 2023….News Flash!!!! Have you signed up for Member-Friend Day? It happens at Dogwood on Thursday, May 11. That’s not very far off. We received a message from Gavin Smith way back on April 19 on how to sign up to play. He is managing that for us, not Golf Genius. (Well, maybe Gavin is a golf genius!) Please call the Golf Shop at the Country Club. Can’t think of anyone to ask? Sign up with a current WGC member, or sign up as a single and Gavin and his staff will pair you with someone. It’s a two-person scramble and that spells FUN. Lunch once again is catered by Darrin Hewitt from our sponsor Edward Jones. Plus, you know that after-golf thirst, Stephanie Anderson, our Bella Vista Wine and Spirits sponsor, will be providing special beverages to quench that thirst. Get your name in and don’t miss the fun. Friends don’t let friends golf alone.

Pam Evans has an Eagle on Hole #1 at Highlands on April 13, 2023!

Let's give a warm welcome to our 5 newest members to the WGC, pictured here with their Big Sis! We are so glad they've decided to join our wonderful group of ladies. Please make sure you introduce yourself on the course. A Big Sis/Little Sis golf outing was held after the Spring Brunch, with play at BVCC. (Click here for individual pics of new members, with names.)

Thursday, March 30, 2023. Finally! Winter is behind us and spring has arrived. Today was our WGC spring brunch and meeting. Even though the invitation read the doors would open at 8:30, some just couldn’t wait. (But isn’t arriving early sort of a Bella Vista thing?) Wasn’t it amazing and fun to see so many smiling faces at St Bernard’s? This reporter heard some say they hadn’t played any golf since October; others commented about maybe four or five tee times all winter. Once again Papa Mike catered a delightful breakfast with all the yummy items. Plus, it’s always a bonus when there’s enough for all. Darryl introduced Hannah Hellyer, our new pro at Tanyard. Many of us will be calling her for lessons, or maybe new clubs. Hannah said she has plenty of stories that illustrate the highs, the lows and the tears about the pro tours. Or, we can always talk about Canada with her. Our season has a variety of promises and challenges with the Bowlin Cup the first week of May, Match Play Madness all summer long, Member/Friend Day, the Firecracker, and our Thursday play dates. One big change this year is we’ve done away with captains, but let’s all step up in helping our new members with checking-in and scoring. If you see a new face, introduce yourself. We can’t remember all the names, but we always delight in a warm smile. Perhaps one of the best welcomes to the 2023 season was seeing our new handbooks – all covered in purple, a royal, championship color. So, welcome back, it’s a new season, and we are ready for some good golf!

Beginning with the 2023 season, we have a new way to sign up for the Closest to the Pin contests.

The cost is $20.00, one time fee for the season.

There are 2-steps for this sign up:

(1) Click "Yes" or "No" in your registration on GSS.

(2) Mail or give your payment to Julia Doverspike, 35 Mansfield Dr, BV, AR 72714.

Instructions to update your CTP in GSS:

Please login to GSS, you can login from your device or from our WGC Website, or you can use links provided in this email, below.

Once on the site, Login to GSS,

Then Click on “Your Registration for 2023 Bella Vista WGC”. 

Then, Click on “Edit Registration”. 

Then, Scroll down to the “2023 CTP”, choose “Yes’ to participate.

Click on SAVE...

Remember to give the $$ to Julia.

Click here for WGC GSS

or

Click here for the WGC Website

December 2, 2022 – The last page on the 2022 calendar is in front of us. “Oh no!” you are shrieking to yourself. “I’ve got so much to do!” WGC ladies, it is time to run to the Country Club and renew your GHIN handicap fee. Yes, it is $30. Also, have you renewed your WGC membership? The form is on our web site and found in the pro shops too. Wouldn’t it just be horrible if you made an ace on Hole #9 at Highlands or #18 at Dogwood and you hadn’t renewed for 2023 and joined the hole-in-one option? You never know…! And to the ladies out there considering the WGC – since a handicap is required for playing in the WGC, take three scorecards to the Golf Office at the Country Club and enroll in the GHIN system. That will establish you for WGC play. Then go to the App Store, download the GHIN app and post new scores. Fill out the 2023 membership form and join in the fun, friendship, and the spirit of the game we all love. Everyone, please share with your neighbors and friends an invitation to join the WGC. Only a few more calendar pages and we will be teeing it up in the warm spring sunshine.