The University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business raised more than $105,000 at its seventh annual golf tournament, presented by Simmons Bank, held June 11 at Pleasant Valley Country Club. 

“This tournament is something we look forward to year after year,” said Dr. Jane Wayland, Stephen Harrow Smith Dean of Business. “Simmons Bank was the presenting sponsor for the first time, and we are very grateful to them and to each and every sponsor, player, donor, and volunteer who all make this event a success.”

The funds raised from this year’s event will be used to create signature experiences for students in the College of Business.

In 2017, UA Little Rock Chancellor Andrew Rogerson announced the Signature Experience program to provide students with grants so they can participate in a one-semester signature experience, such as a research project, creative activity, or community service project, that will enrich their academic experience. Seventy-nine UA Little Rock students were selected as the inaugural recipients of the Undergraduate Research Signature Experience Awards for the spring 2018 semester.

“Our students have proven they can compete on the regional, national, and international stage,” Wayland said. “Over the past six years, our students have placed and won in competitions in promotion, sales, data analytics, finance, management, and information systems. Proceeds from the tournament will allow more students to participate in these signature experiences.”

The eighth annual College of Business Golf Tournament has been set for June 17, 2019, also at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

Forty-nine teams participated in the tournament that featured morning and afternoon flights, a silent auction, high-end participant gifts, and breakfast, lunch and dinner for all players.

Nike pullovers, sponsored by Textbook Brokers, and Titleist ProV1 golf balls, sponsored by Pettus Office Supply, were among the gifts given to each player at the tournament.

Liquor and beer were provided by Ace Liquor and Diamond Bear Beer. Gateway Bank was the official water sponsor for the golfers while Pepsi supplied Gatorade and soft drinks.

Morning flight participants enjoyed Chick-Fil-A breakfast. Lunch featured “Ben E. Keith secret recipe” barbecued chicken, which proved to be a crowd favorite again this year along with hamburgers, hot dogs, and bratwursts grilled by Ben E. Keith and Malvern National Bank.

The dinner menu, sponsored by Golden Corral, included meatballs, barbecue sausage, cheese dip, fresh vegetables, and fruit trays. The Golf Committee, comprised of alumni and friends of the College of Business, sponsored a raffle for two Yeti coolers filled with craft beer donated by Sullivant’s Liquors.

For more information on the tournament or to support the College of Business, please contact Dean Wayland at 501-569-3356 or jpwayland@ualr.edu.

In the upper right photo (L to R), Ellon Cockrill, Beth Mason, Sharon Vogelpohl, and Margaret Ellibee compete at the College of Business Golf Tournament. Photo by Nelson Chenault.