El Dorado Insider Fall 2021 - 52

Homes on Mystic Creek range
from patio houses to larger homes
surrounding the golf course.
of that in the course. The balance is real estate. That includes
192 lots of varying sizes, " he explains.
GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY
" We have a lot of different offerings with buyers building a
variety of homes. Patio homes are around 1,700 square feet.
They sit on 2/10-acre lots that cost about $32,000. Patios
prove perfect starter homes for young families or nice retirement
cottages for couples looking to downsize, " Parks says.
" Out of 42 original patio lots offered over the past eight years,
only four remain unsold. The homes built in this area are now
seeing resale with people in line to purchase them.
" Larger lots of ¾ to 1 acre are selling from $32,000 to
$45,000, depending if they are on or off the golf course. About
half of those are sold. Residents enjoy the appeal of living on
or near a course while safe, spacious neighborhood streets are
a pleasant place to walk or ride their carts.
" We also have estate lots with three to four acres that
sell for $55,000 to $80,000. Homes built there range from
$250,000 to over a million. Estates bordering the course are
as yet undeveloped, " Parks explains.
One especially pleasant aspect of the development is underground
utilities throughout which is pleasing to the eye, and
was important to complete the envisioned aesthetic, Parks
continues.
Jesse and Barbara McWilliams built on the course in 2012.
" We love the community. It's a peaceful, relaxing place to
live. Even during the pandemic and this past winter storm,
we never felt isolated. Everyone walks, ride bikes and drives
their carts around the neighborhood so you see your neighbors
every day. We have the best of both worlds. We live in
the country but have the convenience of the city and a friendly
residential community all in one. We have a lot of get-togethers
where we can come to know new couples readily. Add to
52 El Dorado Insider
all that the new club house which is a great gathering place
with fabulous dining. We've been very gratified living in Mystic
Creek, " Barbara says.
GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT
" The clubhouse was the final piece of the project and teaming
with Murphy was a win/win for everyone, " Parks says.
" We actually began logging in 2005 while the timber company
still owned the land. They were able to cut out the fairways according
to our plan. In 2008 we started clearing and grubbing
activity and shaping and building greens. Higher than normal
rainfall during 2009 cost us a whole year. We spent a tremendous
amount of money that year because we had to keep our
staff and equipment in place. We discovered our water velocity
on the course was significantly faster than expected. We
realized we'd be chasing erosion for some time if we seeded
fairways. So, we sodded instead. That took a good deal more
funding than anticipated.
" We finally opened for play to the public in August 2012
with the Tim Zimmerebner Pro Am for HOPE Landing. A couple
weeks following we held an event for the El Dorado Police
Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) team. The official
opening came in May 2013 with the annual Kiwanis two-man
scramble. We hosted our first Symetra Tour in September
2015, " Parks says, explaining that Symetra is a Ladies Pro Golf
Association official women's qualifying event.
The Symetra Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout is held the
third week of September. A 2017 and 2018 Sporting Event of
the Year Gold Award winner from the Arkansas Festival and
Events Association, the tournament offers a $175,000 purse.
Murphy USA utilizes the tournament to support local charities,
focusing attention on and contributing $25,000 each
year to such worthy causes as Boys & Girls Clubs, DeSoto Area
Council of the Boy Scouts, HOPE Landing and Turning Point.
El Dorado Insider Fall 2021

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