Located just off Interstate 540 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the Hardscrabble Country Club hosts the Nike Tour’s Fort Smith Classic, with many holes on the tree-lined course playing longer than the yardage markers indicate. The course was designed by Herman Hackbarth and built in 1926, Jay Morrish was charged with the recent redesign of portions of the course.

Hitting from the longest tees, the course plays 6,620 yards with a par of 70. Users credit this old style golf course layout for being tight and tough, even with the smaller greens making it a challenging yet playable course. Golf Digest rated it tenth on the Best in State list in 1997-98.

Hardscrabble Lake feeds the numerous water hazards on the course and strategically placed sand bunkers add to the natural challenge of this old-style course. Trees line practically every hole offering narrow fairways for the straight shooter. Additionally, trees have been added to affect the play along the fairways. However, if you tend to slice or hook, not to worry as the pro shop is fully stocked with new golf balls and other related items.

With the tepid weather in Arkansas the course remains open all year, although the country club is private, open for the Nike Tournament qualifiers. The course offers a putting green and a chipping area to enable players to loosen up before heading out on the links. Being lost in the wooded oasis near the interstate and the Fort Smith Regional Airport, adds the quiet that golfers expect when out playing.