Scotsdale Golf Course

Scotsdale Golf Course sits in Bella Vista, Arkansas, a planned community in the northwest corner of the state near the Missouri border. The course was designed by Ed Ault with later contributions from Tom Clark and Bill Love, reflecting the collaborative evolution common to courses in residential developments. Bella Vista grew significantly in the 1960s and 1970s as a retirement and recreational community, and Scotsdale was among several courses built to serve the expanding population. The layout occupies rolling Ozark terrain characterized by elevation changes and wooded corridors typical of northwest Arkansas. The routing moves through hardwood forests with dogwoods and oaks framing fairways, and several holes feature water hazards that add strategic interest to approach shots. The design emphasizes playability for a range of skill levels while incorporating enough variety in hole lengths and angles to maintain interest throughout the round. As part of the Bella Vista Property Owners Association golf system, Scotsdale serves both residents and visitors exploring the area's collection of courses. The club operates in a community-oriented fashion, with amenities and pace of play geared toward recreational golfers. The course provides a representative example of mid-century resort and retirement community golf design in the Ozarks, where natural topography and forest settings shape the character more than dramatic architectural statements.