Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Aug 22, 2024 – North Hills Golf Course faced a tense situation last weekend involving a group of fraternity members from Arkansas State University.

Reportedly, the group of 11 initially appeared to be out for a round of golf but quickly drew management’s attention for violating several course policies.

Upon arrival, course manager, Kelly Craft, noted that the group was playing together rather than splitting into the three groups as required. According to the course’s policy, the maximum number of players per group is four. The group also brought a large cooler against the course’s regulations.

The manager instructed them to return the cooler to their vehicles and warned them to either comply with golf rules or leave if they intended to party.

Craft made a post about the incident on the Golf North Hills Facebook page, “I told them they were welcome to stay if they wanted to play golf, but if they wanted to party, they had to go somewhere else. They said they would break into 3 groups.”

Management later returned to find the group still together and consuming alcohol excessively. Concerned about potential underage drinking and possible drunk driving, Craft called the Sheriff’s Office for assistance.

As the deputy checked the players IDs, Craft used the opportunity to deliver a stern lecture on the dangers of alcoholism, recounting personal anecdotes and emphasizing the course’s zero-tolerance policy for intoxication.

Following the incident, several members of the group apologized, and Kelly says they are welcome to return. He added that others who refused to acknowledge the rules are banned from the premises.

Despite initial concerns that their strict alcohol policies might harm business, North Hills Golf Course has seen an increase in patronage, attributing this growth to the enforcement of policies that promote a respectful and safe golfing environment.

JRN reached out to North Hills for comment, but they have not responded.

August 18, 2024
Dear folks,
Last night a group of 11 (it was supposed to be 12) guys from one of the fraternities at A State came out for a round of golf, or so I thought or so they led me to believe. Thad checked them in, and I told them they had to play in 3 groups. We were low on $10 dollar bills so I went into town to get change and upon my return, saw the whole group on number 5 green.

I stopped in the middle of the road and walked up to them and reminded them that they were supposed to be in 3 groups. They had a large cooler with them which is against our policy and ordered them to take it back to their vehicles, which was done. I told them they were welcome to stay if they wanted to play golf, but if they wanted to party they had to go somewhere else. They said they would break into 3 groups. I left them on six tee box.

I had taken Augie to the groomer for a bath and haircut, and got a notice he was done, so I left to pick him up. When I got home I called Thad and asked him to go check on the group. He found them on hole 8, still together, drinking excessively, some of whom were inebriated. On my way back out, I called the for the sheriff to meet me there. I believed that some of the group were under age, and that there was a possibility of drunk driving on the horizon. I found them in the parking lot, attempting to leave in haste.

Golf North Hills’ policy is that the Sheriff will be called if we suspect excessive drinking to the point of intoxication.

I spoiled their outing with a lecture on the disease of alcoholism as a sheriff’s deputy held their drivers licenses in his hand, checking for age. I told them that 40% of their group would become alcoholics (I made up that statistic but I wanted to make a point). I shared with them that the disease of alcoholism is cunning, baffling, and powerful . . . that is is progressive and terminal, and gave them the example of my great uncle Bob.
It is a fact that all alcoholics quit drinking . . . the question that remains after they quit: is there any life left?

I have zero tolerance for public intoxication. I have zero tolerance for those who refuse to honor our policies.

Several of the young men apologized to me after the confrontation, and they are welcome to return. Some did not and they are not welcome back.

I wondered if our business would suffer from making these policies that restrict alcohol consumption in larger groups. What I have found is our business has increased, and continues to do so as the policies are enforced. People are looking for a safe haven to play this noble game which requires and advances basic civility and respect. More shall be revealed.

Grace and peace,
Kelly