The Arkansas State Golf Association has staged its men's and women's match play and the senior men's stroke play championships there. Agler said he hopes the men's stroke play championship will come to Stonebridge, too. Even though Stonebridge indulges all levels, it doesn't come off as a pushover, either. Water is a threat on seven holes. Sand traps lurk on nine fairways and all but one green.
Trees tighten up a few holes.
And because most of the course is open, wind can be a factor. The contoured bentgrass greens are fast and true, unfailingly smooth no matter the time of year. Bentgrass requires constant attention in the warm months but the moisture that's needed to keep it going also can invite fungus problems. Course superintendent John Streachek and his staff are able to keep the greens in crisp condition, in part, because most of the surfaces are exposed to adequate airflow. Course architect Randy Heckenkemper of Tulsa, Okla., had 1,000 acres to play with when he designed the 18-hole layout.