Hogs Heading for Future Tyson Golf Course
by October 15, 2001 12:00 am 87 views
John Tyson, president, chairman and CEO of Tyson Foods Inc., said the gated community/golf course he is building near his Johnson home will be one of a kind in Northwest Arkansas.
Tyson said construction will begin on the private course in November. If grass is able to be planted this fall, Tyson said play could begin in spring of 2003. But if the grass can’t be planted until spring, it will likely be spring of 2004 before play begins.
Tyson has an understanding from the University of Arkansas that both its men’s and women’s golf teams will use the course as the official Razorbacks’ home course.
The Razorbacks have been calling Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers home. They were thought to be moving to the planned Jim Lindsey course in Goshen. The Johnson course will include a large driving range and an indoor practice facility for the Razorbacks.
Tyson said from 275 to 400 homes and condominiums will be on the 400-plus acre tract. It’s located west of Willow Creek Hospital and south of Greathouse Springs Road between Interstate 540 and Arkansas Highway 112.
Tyson is working with Landmark National Corp. of Marlboro, Md., a company that has designed such powerhouse courses as PGA West, LaQuinta, Carmel Valley, Palm Beach Polo and Kiawa Island, which hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup. The company just finished working with Greg Norman on a course in Ireland.
Chris Cole, director of golf construction and operations at Landmark, said the company’s “highest level planners will be working on this project.”
Cole said the course will range from 7,305 yards to under 5,000 yards.
“It’ll be a course aunt Minnie and uncle Bill can play as well as one that one of your locals like John Daly and his friends like Tiger Woods can play,” Cole said. “We’re gonna try and build the best golf course in Arkansas.”
Cole added, “It’s great land with a low, clear creek. Then, you can go upstairs with a beautiful bluff with hardwoods and gorgeous views. It’s just dying for golf.”
Cole said he sees no reason high-end tournaments couldn’t be held at the course.