David Connell
Co-owner, Homer’s Restaurant, Little Rock
Age: 35
GHIN Handicap: 0.8
How often do you play? In summer, twice a week. Winter, it has to be 50 degrees or above.
When/why did you take up the game? I didn’t take it up until I was a junior in college (1995). That was my first round of real golf. Summer with some buddies. Parred my second hole, a par-3 and joked with my buddies, this game isn’t that hard. I guess I fell in love with it then.
Where do you mostly play? I’m a member of Pleasant Valley.
What’s your best score in competition? A 68. Shot a 65 with a hole-in-one at Stonelinks in a casual round.
Career holes in one? Two (No. 14 at Stonelinks, No. 10 at Hope CC in a 4-ball).
If you had to choose one amateur partner for a 4-ball, who? Any of the scratch golfers at Pleasant Valley.
If you could partner with one PGA tour pro in a best-ball round, who? Dustin Johnson.
“Caddyshack” or “Tin Cup”? “Caddyshack.”
What’s your favorite golf memory? Playing in four-balls with my brother-in-law (Jay Worthington) and winning.
If you couldn’t play golf you’d be … right before high school, I would have said professional basketball player.
What type clubs do you play/prefer? Titleist, then Ping. I’ve got kind of a mixed set.
What’s the best course you’ve played? Pleasant Valley. I love the layout, everything.
What course would you love to play that you haven’t? Augusta National.
What would you say is the state’s “hidden gem,” one not normally discussed among the best: I really like playing the Arlington. Not sure you can call it a hidden gem. The ASGA four-ball is there, and it’s a great weekend and a hidden gem of a tournament, at the Arlington and the Park.
Best hole in Arkansas? No. 18 at Pleasant Valley. For starters, it’s the finishing hole of the three great holes around the lake, and it’s a reachable par-5 that makes it a great risk-reward hole to end a round. You can make a birdie there. You can also make a high number.
Who is the best business exec golfer in Arkansas: Stan Payne.
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