LIKE IT IS

Stephens making sure everything first-class

At lunch Monday, Warren Stephens didn’t seem like the guy who founded and developed this paradise called The Alotian Club.

Everyone knows he is one of the most successful businessmen in the world, a billionaire who lives a quiet, private life. If his picture is in the paper it is generally because he has taken his wife, Harriett, to a social event.

He was very personable Monday. He also was accessible, giving interviews and doing a live radio show with Trey Schaap and Matt Jones on KABZ-FM, 103.7. Basically he was just taking it all in at the Western Amateur, which is a lot to take in.

Stephens talked about the Arkansas Razorbacks and all the big offensive linemen Coach Bret Bielema is recruiting. He talked about water, roads and, of course, this tournament. The governor’s race was mentioned, but just briefly.

He considered staying in one of the cabins and being here 24-7, but family comes first and his wife’s mom wasn’t doing well so that was up in the air.

He talked excitedly about pin placement, how there were nine choices for every hole, and while he wouldn’t suggest anything to Mark Scully, who is in charge of laying out the course, he said he would be there when the decisions were made for every hole despite the fact it would be done before sunrise.

Mostly, this tournament was in good shape long before the first of the 156 players arrived in The Rock.

Stephens doesn’t have to look for mistakes. The Alotian staff have this tournament running like a well-oiled machine.

During lunch, a couple of golfers left their bags in the middle of the yard off the back veranda, and within seconds Dan Snider, chief operating officer, had swooped down and discreetly but quickly moved the bags to the side of the tent.

That’s why Stephens can stroll the impeccable grounds and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

Alotian was not an epiphany, but a plan that took years to execute.

Obviously it is a first-class golf course.

Players stopped to take pictures of the course, and these are guys who play all over the country.

It is a breathtaking oasis ingeniously created and nestled among rolling hills.

And it is one of the most coveted courses to play in the country, maybe in the world.

When Peyton Manning came to town to speak at the first All-Arkansas Preps banquet, he allegedly played the course. Apparently, Alotian takes its lead from Augusta National Golf Club and members and guests don’t talk about who comes and goes.

Tim Brando of CBS once asked if I could get him on Alotian.

Recently at a family reunion in Texas, the only question asked was whether the course had been seen in person.

It may be private - the best golf courses always are - but it is still a point of pride for the area, just like Little Rock being named a top place to live by Kiplinger magazine.

Most of these young golfers know it is a privilege to play here, and they all seem very appreciative that Stephens accepted the challenge of hosting this tournament, and it is an incredibly difficult tournament to win even on flat ground.

After four rounds of stroke play, the Sweet 16 will advance to two rounds of match play Saturday, and by Sunday morning four golfers will be looking at two more rounds of match play. That could mean as many as 144 holes could be played, and there will be more if there is a tie.

One concern was that some of the volunteer caddies might do the front nine and disappear, because it is that challenging, but then people like Stephens and other Alotian members weren’t looking for miniature golf.

They relish a challenge.

Stephens was back on the course Tuesday morning, walking briskly to the holes to watch the action.

If he was proud, he wasn’t showing it overtly, and he didn’t act like the founder.

His mother-in-law is still on his mind, and there is always his multi-billion dollar business, but mostly he seemed happy watching one of the greatest amateur tournaments in the world being played on his course and in his chosen home state.

Sports, Pages 19 on 07/31/2013