Experience the Splendor of Golf
Designed by renowned golf course architect Perry Maxwell, our course was built in 1926 on the former site of Hardscrabble Farm, a fruit orchard. The course was renovated in 1998 by Jay and Carter Morrish, updating the bunkers and greens to the modern game while preserving the layout.
Hardscrabble golf has a rich history. In 1930, C.B. (Jess) Willard initiated the Hardscrabble Invitational Tournament. Over the years, the tournament became the C.B. Willard Memorial Tournament and then the Southwest Amateur Championship for the Willard Memorial Trophy. The same tournament continues today as our 4-Ball Invitational, one of the best golf events in the region.
The Hardscrabble Open, also known as the Hardscrabble Women’s Invitation, was a golf tournament played at the Hardscrabble Golf Club in Fort Smith, Arkansas from 1945 to 1953. It was an official LPGA Tour event from 1948 to 1950. Many famous lady players attended a meeting here and legend is that the LPGA Tour was born out of those meetings and this event. Past winners of the Hardscrabble Open include Patty Berg, Babe Zaharias, and Betty Jameson.
Alice Dye(Mrs. Pete) won the USGA Senior Women’s Championship here, and Mark Brooks and Bob Estes each won the Trans Mississippi Championships at Hardscrabble. Other championships have included the Women’s Southern, Western Women’s, Western Junior Girls’ Championship, and many ASGA Stroke and Match Play Championships.
Host to more than 13 PGA Nationwide Tour events, Hardscrabble continues to be a favorite among tour pros for its classic style of excellent conditioning. Come to Hardscrabble, and you’ll see why it is considered one of the finest courses in the region.