Mountain Ranch at Mountain Ranch Golf Club

Mountain Ranch Golf Club sits in the Ozark Mountain community of Fairfield Bay in north-central Arkansas, overlooking Greers Ferry Lake. Ed Ault designed the course in the mid-1970s as part of a planned residential and resort development. The layout takes advantage of the region's rolling, forested terrain, with elevation changes and wooded corridors defining the character of play. Fairfield Bay was conceived as a retirement and vacation destination, and Mountain Ranch serves as one of two courses in the community, offering a more rugged counterpoint to its companion layout.

The routing moves through hardwood forests and across hillsides, with fairways carved from the natural landscape. Ault's design emphasizes strategic shot placement over length, as players navigate doglegs, elevation shifts, and greens that often sit on plateaus or in natural bowls. The course measures around 6,400 yards from the back tees, making it accessible to a range of skill levels while still presenting challenges in club selection and course management. Water comes into play on several holes, and the tree-lined fairways demand accuracy off the tee.

The club operates as a semi-private facility, welcoming both members and public play. It reflects the character of Ozark Mountain golf—unpretentious, scenic, and integrated into the natural topography. The setting provides views of the surrounding hills and lake, and the course remains a central amenity for the Fairfield Bay community and visitors exploring the region's recreational offerings.