Tournament Champions
View Tournament Results
Punched in the face and knocked to the canvas, The Highlands Golf & Pub just flat out refused to give in. Just one week removed from tornados that tore through nearby Bentonville and Rogers, Arkansas, a harsh winter that took its toll on what otherwise are immaculate fairways, and an unlikely construction mistake that deprived the clubhouse of power, which will not be restored until this next week as electric crews work to restore power to local families, The Highlands delivered on its “Elevated Event” status. Eager to put the gloomy weather behind them and take advantage of the added points and purse, fifty-five players signed up and fifty-five players showed up to take on the toughest test in the Bella Vista Golf Village.
It all started with Division 1 as ten players teed it up, looking for the top prize. Defending Player of the Year in D1 Andy Proctor, set the pace on the front nine until an untimely triple bogey on #7 opened the door for a host of players. Rick Coatney, the only senior in D1, took over the top spot with Riley Reed and Jeremy Harbaugh close behind. Coatney, Reed and Harbaugh ran into trouble on the ensuing hole, as Proctor had a bounce back birdie to once again take over at the top spot. Quietly rolling along, newcomer Collin New parred the final three holes to add his name to the mix after the front nine. Proctor appeared to seize control with a birdie at #12, but a bogey, triple, double run over the next three holes took him out of contention, leaving the battle between Harbaugh and New. A double bogey on the difficult par 3, 16th hole allowed Harbaugh to tie the score as they headed down the closing stretch. A three-putt bogey by Harbaugh followed by a smooth two putt par for New, allowed New to capture his first APT Tulsa victory. Harbaugh finished a disappointing second as Coatney and Reed tied for third.
Division 2 saw APT St Louis Chapter player Greg Garrett, who earlier this year picked up a National Major victory at Horseshoe Bay Resort, battle last years runner up in this event, Kendall Price for the entire day. Price made birdie on #14 to tie but quickly gave it right back with double on the next to again fall two behind. Garrett played steady golf over the next four holes to cruise home with the D2 trophy. Price finished runner up for the second consecutive year.
Division 3- With 20 players taking aim at the $500 first prize and the bonus points, Bruce Yi quickly and decidedly closed the door on the other 19 competitors. Yi went out in a solid even par 36 with two birdies wrapped around a double bogey to lead the group into the back nine. James Borzone and Kenny Vineyard stayed within striking distance with outward 39 and 40 but couldn’t keep pace as Yi cruised in with a closing 42 for a total 78 and grabbed his first victory of 2024.
Division 4- APT Arkansas director Larry Burrows came to The Highlands with one thing on his mind, redemption! Having lost in a playoff on the 18th hole a year ago, Burrow looked to redeem himself and pick up the elusive Highlands victory. Riley Hager went out in a nice 40 to take the early lead. Hager looked poised to bring home the victory and had a one stroke advantage on 18 but missed the green left. Hager’s miss left him with a lost ball and sealed things up Burrows. Hager finished tied for second with Fort Smith’s Michael Byrd.
Division 5 has arguably the hottest golfer in all of APT, as Bentonville’s Sean Cook picked up his third straight victory over 17-year-old high school student Connor Boyd. Playing on familiar grounds, Cook established himself early then hung on over the difficult closing holes to seal the deal on another D4 victory. Young Mr. Boyd, who took up the game a mere year ago, made things interesting by limiting the “big” number on the back nine to close the gap, only to come up short in the end.
Overall, on a weekend day that had a gloomy outlook, Mother Nature showed mercy, parting the sky’s and clearing the way for sunshine. On a course that had taken a beating, a clubhouse that was dark and silent, Highlands persevered and showed why it is the “showcase” course in Bella Vista. Every single staff member we encountered at Highlands, were wonderful, kind and accommodating to every player and APT Tulsa staff member.
Thank you, Highlands, we’ll see you next year!
