Golf Fest returns to Bella Vista

Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Several Golf Fest attendees took refuge from the cold in the pro shop at the Tanyard Creek practice area.
Keith Bryant/The Weekly Vista Several Golf Fest attendees took refuge from the cold in the pro shop at the Tanyard Creek practice area.

With a stiff breeze and cool air, bundled-up golfers slapped balls downrange at the Tanyard Creek practice center.

Several Bella Vistans, undeterred by Saturday's cold, came to check out the POA's second annual Golf Fest.

POA golf director Philip Wright said the weather certainly hurt attendance, but there were still plenty of people coming and going during the event.

This event, he said, gets several vendors together in one place, often with brand-new products on display, right as the golf season begins. This year, he said, the event attracted a few new golf vendors, as well as two food trucks.

This gives Bella Vistans a fun activity, he said, in addition to a good chance to see what's new in the world of golf.

"A lot of equipment the members probably haven't even seen," he said.

It also provides a good kickoff to the golf season, he said.

"I think it's a great program, it's great for the Bella Vista Community," Wright said.

As other golfers practiced putting and driving, Jude Winchell, 7, was getting some practice with a brightly-colored golf set at the far end of the driving range.

Becca Godman, a golf and life-skills coach with First Tee, helped Winchell develop his swing; and it didn't take long for him to start hitting the colorful balls almost across a nearby hill. She explained that her team set up the kid-friendly equipment and currently teaches kids to golf in Bella Vista and Lowell.

They use golf, she explained, to teach respect and other values, in addition to teaching kids to play golf.

"We teach core values and life skills through the game of golf," she said.

She appreciated the event, she said, because it provides a good avenue for the program to reach potential clients.

Winchell's father, Jake Winchell, said that beyond kicking off the golf season, this event gave him something to do with his kids.

Jake Winchell said he's big on golf and sometimes he takes the kids along to get them outside -- though it's often difficult to play a game with them in tow.

He's a former Minnesota resident, he said, and his family moved to Arkansas about five years ago. They moved to Bella Vista last year, he said.

"I like to golf, so it's a good way to get the kids out," Winchell said. "It's cool that they set this up."

Sports on 04/18/2018