El Dorado Insider Fall 2021 - 55

entertainment. I like El Dorado and her people. I enjoy the
Murphy family and I'm proud of the team we've assembled
here. "
A DESTINATION GOLF RESORT
El Dorado Resident Billy Blackburn explained some of the
reasons for his affection toward Mystic Creek. " I travel and
play in 15 to 18 tournaments each year. Hands down, I consider
Mystic in the top three that I've seen in all the South!
The lay-out and difficulties are what make it stand out. I
play the course three to four times a week and it is always an
exciting challenge. The scenery is breathtaking to the point
when you look around, it's hard to believe where you are.
There are a few holes on the back nine that remind you so
much of Augusta " (Georgia - where the prestigious Masters
Tournament is held each year).
" Other things that really set the course apart, " Blackburn
continues, " are the driving range, chipping area and putting
greens. I probably utilize the practice facilities more than I
play. They are so nice and give me the opportunity to work
on my game. We are incredibly fortunate to have Scott Kuhn
as Superintendent. He knows what it takes to make a topnotch
course and works hard to see it happen. "
Parks explains how Mystic Creek got its name. " Our creek
is an overflow from a spring where local people came to get
drinking water back in the '30's. I was looking for something
different that wouldn't be confused with other courses.
With the topography I considered calling it Timber Hills but
there is already a course by that name. Our branch was an
unnamed tributary of Holmes Creek so I dubbed it, 'Mystic
Creek.' "
Parks concludes, " The original concept was to provide a
world-class golf course with every amenity next door to a
beautiful residential neighborhood. " When Dye came for the
first time to see Mystic Creek, he commented that in all his
design work, he had never seen a better fit between the land,
the course and surrounding housing than Mystic Creek.
Where else in the South can one find all these things
so perfectly blended into one harmonious combination?
Much as Northwest-Arkansas' Crystal Bridges Museum is a
nationwide destination for art lovers, Southwest-Arkansas'
Mystic Creek Golf Course is now a national pilgrimage for
avid golfers. The word is out with a bright future insured for
El Dorado's Mystic Creek. p
KEEPING MYSTIC GREENS GREEN:
" When we designed the project, irrigation was vital. I
am a member of the Union County Water Conservation
Board and didn't feel pumping 800,000 plus gallons of
water per day out of the ground in the Summer was a
sound idea. So, the course is irrigated with water from
the Ouachita River. We have the number of ponds we do
to control rain run-off but also to aid in irrigation. Water
from the Ouachita flows from pond to pond down to our
irrigation system. It's not only a practical way to maintain
our grass but provides a nice aesthetic as well. "
Pete Parks
www.GoElDorado.com 55
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El Dorado Insider Fall 2021

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