Ben Geren Public Golf Course — Local services in Arkansas

Course has continuously got better and better over the years, unfortunately I have chosen to play there fewer and fewer times over the years due to the poor customer service provided by a guy named Paul. He’s condescending, treats guests like they’re a burden, and I’m sure if you asked him he’d tell you he has never been mistaken about a thing in his life.

This is a course that I used to play anywhere from 30-40 times per year. I haven’t been out there more than a handful of times since he joined the team. I would rather drive the half hour to Eaglecrest or Wolf Mountain to be treated respectfully than to have to deal with him.

To clarify my my complaints…. I showed up last year around 4:30 as a walk-up. I checked the website on the way out there to see if they had any available tee times and the whole book was was wide open. So I felt it wasn’t necessary to go ahead and get one ahead of time. I arrived to the course, and it was pretty empty as I had imagined based on the tee sheet. He then made it a point to try to make me feel like a jerk for not scheduling a tee time even though the course was wide open.

This evening, a friend of mine and I had a late afternoon tee time (heaven forbid I didn’t precook). My friend chose to get an earlier one and play 18 before I made it out there after work.

My friend had booked online and already paid up before he arrived. Paul then tried to charge him again upon arrival. When it was pointed out that he had already paid up, I guess it made Paul mad and he chose to be a jerk about it instead of apologizing for the mistake.

Since my friend had already played 18, he should have just had to pay for the additional cart fee for 9 holes when I arrived as that is the process out forth by the course in that situation. When that was explained to Paul, he couldn’t grasp the point and charged him again. Then was a condescending jerk when questioned about it.

Long story short…. While I’ll always come back to the course occasionally since it’s local and the one I grew up playing, Paul has made it clear that he’s not interested in the majority of my business.

I hope that the new pro will recognize these issues and help to make some changes. Sebastian County should be embarrassed by the level of service provided at...

Was in town for a business trip and had some unexpected free time. After reading previous reviews, I was hesitant to play here but it was closest to where I was staying but went in with some expectation management.

I felt like I was treated well. I ensured I was nothing but polite when I asked for a tee time and rental clubs. I was able to play Willow and Silo within the allotted time to return the cart and clubs. Unsure why other people had issues with the individual previously mentioned.

I didn’t think the pro shop had everything under the sun but they had the essentials, minus a club brush (the rentals were dirty and needed some TLC). Also, I didn’t have time to really inspect everything in there. After teeing off and one the green for Hole 1 (Willow), I went to remove the cover for what I thought was a putter. It was another PW…so I had to improvise for putting. The set had Driver, 3W, 3h, and all the irons were hybrids but they looked like old technology. Still, for a relatively new golfer they mostly did the job. I really would have loved a LW or something more lofted than the PWs in the set.

I found Willow and Silo a lot of fun, especially having never played there. It was a very windy day and made it all the more challenging. The fairways were in decent shape but should be better as Spring comes around. The greens were in great shape. I don’t think I saw a single ball mark. It was hard to gauge how fast or slow they were without a putter but I think they rolled true. The tee boxes were generally in good condition. There seemed to be abnormally standing water in some areas but not being a local, it’s uncertain if they’ve experienced a lot of rain this winter.

Virtually no one on the course, so I didn’t feel pressured on each hole but I typically attempt to keep the pace of play as quickly as possible.

Rated 4 stars for the putter situation. If I’m ever here again with my own clubs, I’d definitely play again. The prices would be more digestible without renting clubs, buying balls, tees and a $23 golf towel (which is embroidered with the...

I wrote the paragraph below several years ago, and I think it still holds true. I just played today, the course is in very good shape, and I enjoyed my round. But this time around I was dismayed by how poorly the course has been renovated over the years. Bunkers which used to sit adjacent to putting surfaces are now 2, 3 or 4 paces from the putting surface. You can see this in the Google Maps aerials. And not only have the putting surfaces been shrunk, many of the most interesting putting contours were eliminated. Example: the 9th hole on Willow course used to have a gorgeous green with a large center swale; now it is just a big lump. Also many trees have matured to the point where they negatively impact play. The 6th hole on Magnolia used to have a fairway bunker that, if you could drive over it, gave you a significant shortcut to the green. Now there are so many trees that line is basically unplayable - you are really forced to hit the ball out to the right - no options. And good options make good golf. It is sad to see. It makes the course much less interesting to play.

My original review:

Ben Geren golf course is a well designed municipal layout. While it will never crack the top 100 in the US list, I think you that if you enjoy the game of golf you will enjoy playing the course. There are three nine hole layouts, and all are good but I would give the Silo nine the nod as the best. The Willow's 5th hole is a great risk-reward hole, the green is within driving distance but water lurks if you fail. The greens are dwarf bermuda, and while at first glance they might not look great, trust me they are quick and true. Overall the conditions at the course are what you would expect for a municipal layout, which is to say it is not a country club. But they get the important...