Golf Tourney Great Event For Region

How about a little golf today?

You're in luck. We hear there are some rounds being played in Rogers.

Northwest Arkansas becomes center stage of the Ladies Professional Golf Association again this week as the the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G gets under way at Pinnacle Country Club. The event runs through Sunday.

It's the eighth year this grand event has come to this region as part of the women's professional tour. For golf lovers, it's a nearby chance to see outstanding golf competition among some of the game's top players. Indeed, at last check, the collection of golfers included the top 10 players on the 2014 LPGA Priority List, and 96 of the top 100 players in the LPGA's official money list. Nine of the 10 LPGA tournament champions so far in 2014 are scheduled to be here.

Of course, that includes a local favorite, former University of Arkansas golfer Stacy Lewis, who is the No. 1 women's player in the world coming into the tournament. Another UA connection comes in the form of two sponsorship exemptions -- incoming UA junior Gabriela Lopez and recently graduated senior Emily Tubert will get their chance to play. For Tubert, it will be her professional debut on the LPGA circuit.

Without question, folks who love golf will be able to see some outstanding practitioners of the game.

But what's the big deal for people who don't love golf?

Well, one doesn't have to hang out at the country club to know an event like this brings an incredible amount of attention from across the country and around the world to Northwest Arkansas. The purse of $2 million, with $300,000 going to the champion, draws the best players, and when you draw the best players, you attract the attention of people who might not ever have another reason to even think about our region.

The Golf Channel plans live broadcasts from the event Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Viewers will see a beautiful golf course well prepared to play host to some of the world's best golfers, and the golfers will each take with them what has historically been a great experience while they're hear.

It's great to have the players, the tour officials and golf enthusiasts in our neck of the woods. We welcome them all and encourage them to try some of our local eateries they can find no where else.

Local charities continue to benefit from the tournament itself directly or from associated organizations or sponsors. Last year, Dress for Success Worldwide received $500,000 from the Walmart Foundation as part of the golf championship events. The organization, which has a Northwest Arkansas affiliate, helps provide clothing and training for women who don't have the kinds of clothes they need to succeed in job interviews. Boys and Girls Clubs locally have benefited from donations. The tournament gave the Cancer Challenge $100,000 last year. Mercy Health, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and the South Central Golf Foundation have all been boosted by funding raised through the championship.

This is the kind of event with no real down side.

Welcome to Northwest Arkansas, golfers and golf fans. We're glad you're here and thankful for the positive impact you leave behind.