The Ozark Gateway Tourist Council will host the 7th Annual Ozark Gateway Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 17, at the scenic Cherokee Village South Course in Cherokee Village.
The 4-person scramble has become a popular fundraiser for the council, a nonprofit organization that promotes tourism and relocation in Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp, and Stone counties in north-central Arkansas.
This year’s tournament brings exciting new opportunities for participants, including a chance to win a new Chevy Blazer EV thanks to a special Hole-in-One Prize sponsored by Mark Martin Chevrolet Buick GMC and Horseshoe Bend/Crown Lake KOA, who have teamed up to make the event even more memorable.
Registration opens at 8 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. The winners will be announced at 3 p.m. The fee is $300 per team, which includes entry into the tournament, breakfast pastries, lunch, and access to various prizes and contests
“We encourage golfers of all ages and skill levels to come out and enjoy the beauty of the Ozark Gateway region,” said Cathy Drew, executive director of the Ozark Gateway Tourist Council.Golfers can look forward to special hole contests throughout the day, each offering a $20 prize. The contests are as follows:
Special Contests & Prizes for Golfers
Throughout the tournament, golfers will have the chance to win $20 cash prizes at a variety of on-course contests. Here’s what’s in store on the course:
Hole Contest Prizes – $20 Each
Hole 1: Closest 2nd Shot
Hole 2: Closest to the Pin
Hole 3: Closest 3rd Shot
Hole 4: Longest Putt Made
Hole 5: Longest Drive – Men Under 75
Hole 6: Closest 2nd Shot
Hole 7: Longest Drive – Men 75 & Older
Hole 8: Closest to the Pin
Hole 9: Closest 2nd Shot
Hole 10: Longest Putt Made
Hole 11: Closest 2nd Shot
Hole 12: Women’s Longest Drive
Hole 13: Hole in one (truck Chevy GMC from Mark Martin)
Hole 14: Longest Putt Made
Hole 15: Closest 2nd Shot-
Hole 16: Closest to the Pin
Hole 17: Longest “Birdie” Putt Made
Hole 18: Closest 3rd Shot
️ Flight Details
Three Flights – Three Places Each
Ties will be broken via a scorecard playoff starting from a randomly drawn hole number, moving backward.
Mulligan Rule
Each player receives 1 mulligan to use on any shot.
Mulligans may not be used to win a hole contest.
Tee Box Assignments
Ladies: Red Tees
Men 75 & Older: Red Tees
Men 60 to 74: Gold Tees
Men 59 & Under: White Tees
Hole-in-One Bonus Prizes below
Hole 2: $5,000 Cash
Males must tee off from at least 165 yards
Females must tee off from at least 150 yards
Hole 8: $500 Gift Card
Hole 13: $500 Gift Card
Hole 16: $500 Gift Card
Eligibility for hole-in-one prizes is based on age and tee box requirements.
35 Golf carts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and are not included in the entry fee. Please indicate the number of golf carts needed during registration.
To register your team or for more information, please contact Cathy Drew at crdrew@sbcglobal.net, call 870.793.9316 or 800.264.0316.
Karin Huffman is an Independence County native who graduated from Cushman High School in 1996. Traveling throughout the state is one of her passions, along with writing about her adventures.
Taking over as travel writer for the Ozark Gateway Region is a dream come true for Huffman who lives in the region with her two daughters, Grace and Stella.
As a family, they enjoy canoeing the Poke Bayou, Salado Creek and the many waterways along the White River in Independence County. Camping and hiking throughout the region is a must for them in the spring and fall as well.
Huffman is an avid nature photographer who will do just about anything to find the perfect waterfall shot, and has visited many in the great state. From Twin Falls and the Richland Creek area in Northwest Arkansas to little known places off the beaten path, waterfalls will be found.
Huffman has been a travel writer for the Eye on Independence Magazine as well as a staff writer for the Batesville Guard, and is looking forward to devoting her time to traveling throughout the eight county region that the Ozark Gateway offers.
If you would like to contact Huffman about an adventure or would like to know how to get more information out about your area, contact her at 870-307-5473, karinhuffman78@gmail.com or karinozarkgateway@sbcglobal.net.