ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Golf fans at the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G on Sept. 24 were allowed to walk along the course for the first time.
Annye DeGrand Fox, executive director of the NWA Championship, says she is expecting a big turnout later in the week,
“We’re preparing for definitely thousands of fans to be out across the weekend,” said Fox.
While today was a quiet and calm day, with most of the spectators being people who were working at the event, some of the tournament’s biggest fans found unique ways to get involved by turning their time at the tournament into an act of service.
Dennis Peacock is a hole captain at the tournament. The volunteer position allows him to serve, while also allowing him to experience the sport he’s passionate about up close and personal.
He says he started volunteering more than eight years ago after a friend encouraged him to come to the tournament.
“I had friends that I played golf with up in Bella Vista on a regular basis that were involved in it, and they actually asked me if I would come out and volunteer, and I tried it and enjoyed it,” said Peacock.
He says he started as just a regular volunteer, but after his second year, Peacock was asked to become a hole captain. Since then, he’s worked the sixth hole for every tournament.
“I’ve gotten to make friends working as a hole captain. I work a tee box, and I have the opportunity to be close to the players and the caddies. And I’ve gotten to know quite a few of them over the years,” said Peacock.
Amidst the fun of being a hole captain, Peacock says it’s the fond memories and the meaningful friendships he’s made that keep him coming back for another round.
“I’ve got one family from Tulsa that comes over every year. Their daughter is in the ninth grade and playing on the varsity golf tournament, and so I usually let her inside the ropes and help me marshall because she wants to meet some of these players,” said Peacock.
This year, Peacock will be set up at a new hole, hole eight, at Pinnacle Country Club, but he says that won’t stop him from spotting some familiar faces.
“Some of the players and the caddies when they recognize me, I try to encourage them. And then, I have fans that come back every year to visit with me. They take good care of us here, feed us good. It’s just a good event,” said Peacock.
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