Deuces Wild: Fort Smith Classic Always Worth Time, Money

By Harold McIlvain II

I never look forward to spring finals rolling around; but once they are finished, I know an event like any other around the River Valley area is about to start.

That event? The Fort Smith Classic, which started bright and early (7:20 a.m.) today over at the Hardscrabble Country Club in Fort Smith.

If golfing isn’t your thing, you can always go out and enjoy the beautiful course as it is always looking great this time of the year. The tournament has been battling some rain as of late, and it could see some more Saturday and Sunday (40-percent and 50-percent chance of rain, respectively). That shouldn’t discourage too many fans as this is a can’t miss tournament for sports fans.

With the area having no professional sports (and limited college sports, too) this event is a great opportunity for fans in the area to see some of the best-of-the-best in the golf world. The Nationwide Tour has always developed great golfers (Jim Furyk, David Toms, Stuart Appleby and many more). Last year’s winner went on to receive his tour card and is now playing the PGA Tour. There never is a lack of talent coming into this event.

I’m an avid golfer, so this event can do no wrong in my opinion, but I have noticed that a lot of sports fans in this area are missing out on this truly great event. It will cost a person 10 dollars for a day pass, which isn’t too bad at all. As I recall from last year, the prices of drinks are not too bad. It will cost the same or less than going to the movies and you’ll be able to enjoy the weather (hopefully) and the course.

No. 17 on the course always takes my breath away. It is a 204-yard par three hole that is dominated by the water. The view is like any other and is worth the price of admission for me. It is a hole that the leader on Sunday will have to avoid a breakdrown because it could easily wipe away a lead heading into the final hole.

The atmosphere is great, but the golfers are even better. Zach Johnson won this tournament in 2003. As everyone knows, he went on to win the Masters championship in 2007. He still to this day gives thanks to the Fort Smith Classic because he said the tournament helped him learn how to win.

The players have been great in the past, but this field has its fair share of promising golfers, too. Bryan DeCors is currently sitting No. 4 on the money list and is coming off a win at the South Georgia Classic. Scott Dunlap has had his fair share of success this year as he is No. 8 on the Nationwide money list. Tee McCabe will be an intresting name to follow. He finished the year No. 57 on the money list last year, but he has emerged this season as a player to beat as he now sits No. 9 on the mony list. McCabe is five-for-nine making cuts this year and has finished second in a tournament this year.

There never been a two-time winner at this event, but former winners Darron Stiles (No. 6 on money list), Franklin Langham, Todd Fisher and Jay Delsing are a couple names to watch this weekend.

At the end of the day, it is fun to pick a winner and see how they do. If you have a pick, post a comment below and we’ll see how they do. My pick? I’m going with Scott Gutschewski. He finished tied for No. 12 last year and he is playing great this year–half the time. In the cuts he has made (four-for-eight), he has finished that event in the top 25. He finished tied for No. 7 at the Moonah Classic this year, so he could be in line to win an event this year, and if he can find his stroke with the putter, which was his problem last year, this could be the one.