Deane Pappas (Photo courtesy of Cooper’s Hawk Golf Course)
A former Razorback golfer and tour pro has relocated to north central Arkansas for his next career move. Deane Pappas has been hired as the new director of golf operations at Cooper’s Hawk Golf Course in Melbourne.
Pappas, originally from South Africa, joined the Arkansas golf program in the early 1990s. He was named to the All-SEC team in 1991, and the next year, he was an All-American and the SEC player of the year.
Pappas, inducted into the University of Arkansas Hall of Honor in 2002, was on the same squad as John Daly, known for his distance off the tee. However, Pappas’ driving distance was longer than Daly’s while they were playing for the Hogs and early in their professional careers.
After turning pro, Pappas had eight total wins and several top 10 finishes. He began competing on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa and in European tournaments, but he climbed the ranks to the Korn Ferry Tour, and finally on to the PGA and PGA Champions tours. Pappas says his first Korn Ferry victory was a special memory for him.
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More recently, Pappas has continued his career in golf operations and instructional sides of the game. Prior to his hire at Cooper’s Hawk, he spent nearly a decade as the director of golf at Ridgepointe Country Club in Jonesboro. He had also owned and instructed at the Deane Pappas Golf Academy in Fayetteville until 2013. Pappas says one thing that has made him come back to Arkansas is the people.
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The Arkansas Activities Association announced this week Cooper’s Hawk will be the site of the Class 3A State Tournament for the next high school golf season. Pappas says he’s looking forward to more opportunities for big events as an opportunity to show off the course.
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Pappas’ duties include the management of golf operations with a focus on merchandising and licensing of top brands, club-fitting, instruction, member recruitment and retention and bringing in people from all over the region to have a first-class Arkansas golf experience. To schedule an appointment with Pappas, book a tee time or learn more about a golf experience at Cooper’s Hawk, call the pro shop at 870-368-3280 or visit coopershawkgolf.com.
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