The Property Owners Association's Joint Advisory Committee on Golf started its new year by electing a new chairman. Tom Stephens is now chairman, with William Barr as vice chairman.
The former chairman, Jake Grasmick, retired from the committee after serving the maximum number of terms.
Phillip Wright, who started as Golf Operation director in August, presented his plans for the new year, including tournaments and special events.
On April 15, Bella Vista will have its first Golf Fest, Wright said. The expo will be open to everyone.
The event will take place at Tanyard Creek and feature representatives of six of the largest golf equipment dealers who will give tips on improving a golf game and using well-fitted equipment. Wright, along with golf operations manager Darryl Muldoon and pro Gavin Smith, will also speak.
There will be food trucks, contests, prize drawings and activities for kids, Wright said.
By inviting nonmembers to the event, Wright hopes to draw people to the courses to increase the numbers of rounds.
The event won't replace the annual Golf Expo which has been an opportunity for various golf groups to recruit new members. The committee agreed to move the Expo to Saturday, March 18, so members who work full time can participate.
The Expo usually opens with a meeting of all the golf group leaders, which is an opportunity for the POA to communicate with members. It's important, Stephens said, that group leaders pass along information to their members.
The committee also heard from Muldoon about the junior golf program named Get Golf Ready. Muldoon said he looked at last year's successful junior program and redesigned it for this summer.
This year there will be two one-week sessions instead of a series of Saturday sessions, he said. The sessions will cover everything from the rules and scoring to how to swing a driver.
Muldoon plans to visit all the area high schools and talk to golf teams about the program.
General News on 01/18/2017