PGA TOUR Champions event brought world-class golf to Little Rock and opportunities for junior golfers in Arkansas.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Another memorable week of professional golf in the Natural State ended Sunday, November 1, as the 2026 Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens concluded at Pleasant Valley Country Club. From an exciting finish on the PGA TOUR Champions stage to unique experiences for Arkansas junior golfers, the championship showed the impact professional golf can have across the state.

 

South Africa’s Darren Fichardt captured his first PGA TOUR Champions victory by making an eagle on the 72nd hole to finish at 22-under-par and claim a one-stroke win over Zach Johnson. Fichardt’s final-round 64 capped an impressive performance and earned his spot in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship.

 

Serving as the second event of the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, the Simmons Bank Championship welcomed some of golf’s most recognizable names to Little Rock. The tournament brought nationwide attention to Arkansas, showcased Pleasant Valley Country Club on a professional stage, and gave fans across the state a chance to see the game at its highest level.

 

While the competition brought excitement, the championship's impact went beyond the professional leaderboard.

 

One of the week’s most meaningful highlights began before the professionals started play.

 

On October 22, the Arkansas State Golf Association hosted the 2026 ASGA High School Overall Championship at Pleasant Valley Country Club, giving the state’s top high school golfers a chance to compete on the same course that hosted PGA TOUR Champions professionals one week later.

 

The championship brought together standout competitors from Arkansas state championships, giving them the chance to play a course prepared for professional competition with grandstands and championship-level conditions. Hogan O’Keefe of Little Rock Christian Academy and Dakota Redman of Brookland High School earned runner-up honors in their respective divisions. Jack Denery of Little Rock’s Catholic High School for Boys and Lillie York of Little Rock's Mount St. Mary Academy took home first-place honors.

 

For those four golfers, the experience extended beyond the High School Overall Championship.

 

Thanks to Simmons Bank and the Simmons Bank Championship, the champions and runners-up earned the opportunity to participate in the championship’s Pro-Am, playing alongside PGA TOUR Champions professional Scott Hend.

 

The experience let these young golfers walk the same fairways as the professionals, compete in a PGA TOUR Champions tournament environment, and learn from a player who has competed at the highest levels of the game.

 

Opportunities like these are more than a round of golf; they inspire, build lasting memories, and offer young players a glimpse of what dedication to the game can achieve. Junior golfers with experiences of this caliber directly support its mission to grow golf throughout Arkansas and develop opportunities for the next class of players.

 

The Simmons Bank Championship's significance goes beyond the ropes at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

Bringing a PGA TOUR Champions playoff event to Arkansas provides exposure for golf in the state and creates opportunities for fans, volunteers, businesses, and young golfers to engage with the professional game.

 

The tournament also continues to create a meaningful difference through charitable initiatives and neighborhood partnerships, including its support of First Tee of Central Arkansas and programs dedicated to introducing young people to golf.

 

The championship’s devotion to junior golf, community involvement, and the overall tournament experience reflects golf's positive direction in Arkansas. Events of this magnitude celebrate the game's rich history in the Natural State and help build a stronger future for coming generations.

 

The Arkansas State Golf Association extends its sincere appreciation to Simmons Bank, Stephens, Pleasant Valley Country Club, the Simmons Bank Championship staff, volunteers, and everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.

 

A special thank you goes to Simmons Bank and Scott Hend for providing Arkansas junior golfers with an experience they will remember for years to come.

As another Simmons Bank Championship comes to a close, the lasting takeaway is about more than the trophy awarded on Sunday. It is about the opportunities created, the relationships strengthened, and the continued growth of golf throughout Arkansas.