Travelling across the US and Canada allows us to meet countless people. This list includes people we play with and golfers we meet before, during and after our round. Myra and I, time permitting, often stop for a cold drink in the clubhouse bar after we put our gear away and go over our notes. With our clipboard and camera in view it often prompts inquisitive minds to ask what we are doing and where we are from. This curiosity prompted us to share with 3 golfers at Hot Springs Village, Arkansas that we were Dallas bound to review 3 Arcis Golf managed courses. The Dallas resident among the three endorsed our choice of Cowboys Golf Club, but did not instil much confidence in the other 2 courses we chose. For a moment it made me ponder whether to select some of the other well known Dallas based courses and drop the other two which included Bear Creek Golf Club. It was not a difficult decision really, I had made a pact with Chris Crocker, Chief Marketing Officer for Arcis Golf to review 3 of their courses and that was that.
A gentle flat par 4 gets our round off to a great start
I wish I would have obtained the email address of the fellow from Dallas who I now affectionately refer to as “Mr. Dallas” as I would send him a short email along these lines.
“Hey there, I am not sure what Bear Creek course you played in Dallas but it couldn’t have been the one we played. Maybe it was and you just don’t like courses designed by one of the most noted American designers, Ted Robinson. Perhaps shots to undulating fairways and elevated greens upset you or you just don’t like playing a course which rewards great shot selections complete with smooth, tightly mowed greens and beautifully sculptured white sand filled bunkers.”
The 2nd hole a great Par 4 with its tight fairway and elevated green
It also gave me chance to ponder the impact of the “advice” from Mr. Dallas. Once again I realized that golfers have unique liked and dislikes and we don’t all love every golf course. However, in this case if you play golf and don’t think this is a great course, quit, sell your clubs and go sit in the corner.
The amazing par 5 6th hole that takes you downhill then uphill to the green.
Now don’t get me wrong, Bear Creek probably won’t get many accolades for the overall look of the facility and yes the gas carts are a bit tired and worn, but hear me out. There are 2 courses, The East and The West, and it’s public golf at its best. The parking lot was full so we used the overflow area and yes you can go to your vehicle with your cart – a really good start in my books. I am not a big “bag drop” person either and I also don’t really need someone wiping my clubs at the end of the round with a damp cloth. You get neither of these often poorly performed services and I am good with that.
Looking from the blue tees down to the green on Par 3 8th hole.
This is all about teeing off on the 1st and putting out on the 18th and in between enjoying a really fun and often very challenging course to play. We headed to the first tee and as I was about to tee off a couple on a cart with just one set of clubs pulled up.
The Par 4 9th hole probably one of the best looking holes on the course.
Yes, it was the proverbial “Hubby’s going golfing and she’s coming too”. Sal and Gloria were lovely to have with us on another warm sunny Texas day. One of the most sobering moments during the round at Bear Creek occurred when we approached the 5th green. Situated behind the behind this green and next to the 6th tee was a beautifully maintained cemetery with scores of headstones and brilliant colored flowers adorning them.
Can I please just bring a picnic basket and play this par 3 hole 17 all day? Amazing!
It brought a serene sense of calm to all of us and misdirected drives and duffed approach shots that followed seemed trivial. I often think of a golf course almost like a cemetery for the living; beautiful foliage, ocean views, tropical jungles, rocky mountains, meandering creeks and crystal clear lakes.
The best view in Texas. coming in for a landing over hole 18.
This why Myra and I play golf and making good shots now and then doesn’t hurt either. We marveled at many of the holes and completely enjoyed a day at this delightful course. Thank you to Assistant Golf Professional Patrick originally from Baton Rouge, LA who got our day off with a welcoming start.
