1st annual Tony Stewart Memorial Golf Tournament!

June 8th, 2024 at Coopers Hawk Golf Course

2 person scramble | Cash Payout

Entry Fee | $150 per team

Includes | Green fee, cart, lunch & beverage garden

~ No private beverages ~

Schedule

Registration + Green & Range | 8:00am

Tee off | 9:00am

Lunch at the pavilion | 11am -2pm

For any additional questions please contact the Pro shop!

(870) 368-3280

Pioneer Day Golf Scramble

Saturday, May 4th

3-Person Scramble

 

1:30 pm Shotgun Start

$40 Members | $50 Non- Members

 

Register by phone or at the Pro Shop

The deadline to register is Friday, May 3rd at Noon.

 

Sunday, April 14th

Start at 8am, last tee time is 3.30pm

$25/contestant (Cart not included)

We will set up a par 3 course on Sunday “Masters weekend”. You can follow the black tee markers on each hole.

You may play the course as many times as you wish as long as you pay the entry fee each time. Must play with a group of 2 or more players. Turn scorecard in to pro shop. The course will be set up at short yardages in order to equalize the field. Every hole will be between 30 and 150 yards.

Former Hogs Star, Tour Pro Takes Reins at Cooper’s Hawk

Deane Pappas, the All-American Razorback golfer and eight-time winning Tour professional, has recently been named as Director of Golf Operations at Cooper’s Hawk Golf Course in Melbourne.

Deane (pronounced Deen) hails from Phalaborwa, South Africa, where he and three brothers grew up on a golf course and learned to love the game. The Pappas’ home club bordered a large wildlife reserve, where he recalls playing golf in the “world’s safari
capital” with exotic wildlife regularly roaming the links.

A young Deane developed enough skill to land him a scholarship to play for the University of Arkansas in the early 1990’s. In fact, two of his brothers were also varsity golfers for the Razorbacks—which helped solidify the connection of the Pappas’ name
to the state. The oldest brother, Craigen, played for Ohio State. To say Deane had an impressive golf career as a Razorback would be an understatement.

From 1991-92, he was a star for the Razorbacks—earning SEC all-conference honors both years, In ’92, he was named an All-American and won SEC Player of the Year. Pappas was inducted into the University of Arkansas Hall of Honor in 2002.

Notably, Pappas played on the same squad as John Daly, whose infamous lifestyle and major tournament wins have endeared generations of golf fans—especially those from Arkansas.

When Daly turned pro, he quickly caught notoriety for his extended backswing and impressive distance off the tee. But while playing for Hogs and into their earlier pro careers, Pappas’ driving distance was consistently longer than Daly’s.

“Not significantly, but enough where I had the bragging rights,” Pappas admitted. “We’ll just say that John’s always been consistent, he lives life to the fullest.”

Deane then embarked on his equally successful professional career, earning eight total career wins and dozens of top-ten finishes. He started out competing on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa and in European tournaments, but Pappas climbed the ranks to the
Korn Ferry Tour, and finally on to the PGA and PGA Champions tours.

Earlier in his pro career, his power led him to compete in long drive tournaments against the longest hitters in the game of golf. One of those long hitters is three-time World Long Drive Champion Sean “The Beast” Fister, who confirmed that Deane used to out-drive him.

“He’s one of the only guys to ever get the best of me, and it didn’t sit well with me to be honest,” said Fister, who added that Deane actually inspired him to “up my game.”

Fister, who has strong ties to Arkansas, went on to say, “This is great hire for Cooper’s Hawk, a course I love and have played many times. Deane’s a great guy, and his family’s name is such strong one in the state.”

Most recently, Deane has continued his legacy in Arkansas primarily in the golf operations and instructional sides of the game. He owned and instructed at the Deane Pappas Golf Academy in Fayetteville until 2013, and has served the past decade as director of golf at Ridgepoint Country Club in Jonesboro until taking this post at Cooper’s Hawk.

“I just love the people of Arkansas. I like the small-town feel, it reminds me of where I grew up,” Pappas said in his thick South African accent. “I like the laid-back atmosphere; it’s who I am.”

Deane and course owner Jim Cooper both feel this is a great fit due to their common mission to provide a relaxed atmosphere and to promote golf to everyone, particularly to junior golfers.

Pappas said he strongly supports junior golf because he feels it’s important to share the game that’s given so much to him. “It’s a way of giving back,” he said.

Cooper’s Hawk’s promotion of youth golf has been apparent since opening in 2001, when smaller classification schools in the area were just incepting golf teams. Since that time, more than 20 state championship golf teams and individuals have called Cooper’s
Hawk their home course.

“Cooper’s Hawk is blessed to have a journeyman PGA professional living here, teaching and managing our golf course operations,” added Cooper.

As director of golf, Deane’s day-to-day duties will be the management of golf operations, with a focus on merchandising and licensing of top brands, club-fitting, and instruction—as well member recruitment/retention, and bringing in people from all over
the region to have a first-class Arkansas golf experience.

To schedule an appointment with Pappas, book a tee time or learn more about a golf experience at Cooper’s Hawk, feel free to call the pro shop at 870-368-3280 or visit www.coopershawkgolf.com.

Ladies Clinic

Calling all golf gals! 🏌️‍♀️

 

We’ll be hosting a ladies clinic this month for the girls to have a night out.

Please join us for a wonderful evening of at Coopers Hawk Golf Course

 

June 23rd at 5:30 pm

Pricing: $25

includes wine and light hor d’oeuvres

 

Lesson by former PGA Tour player, Richard Johnson.

Call (870) 368-3280 to sign up!

Pioneer Day Golf Scramble

Saturday, May 6th

 

3-Person Scramble | 1:30 pm Shotgun Start

Register by phone or at the Pro Shop

 

The deadline to register is Friday, May 5th at Noon.

$40 Members | $50 Non- Members

Our Melbourne golf course is one of the top public golf facilities in Arkansas. Our scenic course is a 7,011 yard championship layout from the back tees.  It consists of Zoysia tees and fairways and bent grass greens. Strategically placed bunkers and water hazards, combined with the rolling countryside and natural wooded areas, make for a challenging round of Melbourne golf for players of all abilities.

A trip to Cooper’s Hawk is an ideal golfer’s getaway that is guaranteed to be an enjoyable and a memorable one. For more information, please call the Pro Shop at (870) 368-3280. Enjoy your visit at our website.