#7 AR Golf

The Ridges online was compelling, primarily because of the location in NE Arkansas. But also it had 27 holes and was integrated into Village Creek State Park. Website looked intriguing, so I booked and found myself at the course about an hour early ahead of my tee time. Checked in, the clubhouse had that “state park” feel and the guy said…”there’s no one on the East course, head out that way, come back and we’ll figure out which other 9 to golf.”

I had looked at the course and realized I wasn’t going to walk it and I’m glad I didn’t. The first tee box for the east course likely was at least 0.5 miles from the parking lot. So, on a mild, sunny morning I navigated out to the first tee. One of the most satisfying first tee shots of my life, not for the distance or location (I was in a bunker) but for the pure, quiet, echo-y sound of me and the course. Ended up hitting the most pure shot out of a bunker I’ve every had for a 165+ yard distance, 2 putted and had a feeling it was going to be a good day.

For a state park, really wonderful course, the greens were scarce and firmed up during the round

Birdied the 2nd, kept the ball in play and was doing well until the last hole where I stupidly double bogeyed for a 39 on the front. Headed back into the clubhouse where it was chaotic. No one really knew what was going on, ended up playing the West for my back nine after completing the East in a little over an hour.

Also birdied the 2nd hole, had some great shots and found a few bogeys. Like the first nine, the last hole proved challenging as a 200 yard par 3. Clerked my drive with a bit of a draw, hit the cart path and bounced up to the tree line. Hit an otherworldly chip to about 50 feet from the pin and drained the par put for a 38 and my best round in a long time, 77. Good for a 2.7 handicap differential and a big dip in my overall handicap by 2 points.

For a $60 course, it had some great holes and some spots where the course needed to come back to life

Heated up some lunch in the clubhouse and got back on the road, was able to have some phone company for the afternoon and landed in Chesterfield, MO for the night. Wished I had some time to explore the park, but a great round at a really cool venue in Wynne, AR.