The three newest members of the Arkansas State Golf Association Hall of Fame all shared a common theme Thursday night on their induction.
Jack O’Keefe, Julie Oxendine and Warren Stephens talked continuously about the amazement of seeing their names alongside the other 96 members who entered in front of them.
The three were inducted in front of a sold-out crowd of 350 at Chenal Country Club, surrounded by family, friends and other honorees.
“This is a reflection of all the years of hard work and the competition that was so enjoyable here as a junior golfer,” said O’Keefe, 47, who is in his fourth season as golf coach at Augusta State. “It’s just wonderful to see old friends here and an honor to be inducted into the ASGA Hall of Fame.”
Stephens, along with father Jackson T. Stephens, join Charles Lewis Jr. and Charles Lewis III and Dick and Don Murphy as father-son members of the hall.
Warren Stephens said it took a while to realize how someone with a 12-handicap could get into the hall, but he was grateful knowing he was part of a state organization endearing to him and his late father, Jackson T. Stephens.
“I realized at some point that it’s an honor and you kind of forget that,” Stephens, 59, said. “When you look back and see all the people in here that are all committed to golf in Arkansas, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Oxendine, 47, an elementary school physical education teacher in Russellville, won six ASGA Match Play championships between 1998 and 2009, finishing runner-up five other times.
“To be included in this year’s class with Jack and Warren is truly an honor,” Oxendine said. “It is just so heartfelt hearing the people say congratulations.”
ASGA Executive Director Jay Fox said this was an eclectic hall class.
Also honored Thursday night were the ASGA players of the year. Purdue senior Austin Eoff of Benton won three tournaments in 2016, including his second consecutive state championship, and was named the men’s top player. The women’s player of the year, Henderson State junior Sarah Wright of Fayetteville, won the state match play title and was runner-up in the state tournament. Tracy Harris of Little Rock won the men’s mid-senior title for a fifth time, while Carrie Hall of Bismarck won the senior women’s division a third.
Ronny Ocker of Fort Smith (senior men) and Bill Wrentz of Cabot (super-senior men) earned the award in their divisions. Arkansas Tech freshman Ryan Spurlock received the Beau Glover Award for the state’s top junior boys champion, the second time he has won the title in three years, while Central Arkansas Christian sophomore Josie Roberson won on the girls side.
Also honored were PGA Chapter Professional of the Year Jason Branch and PGA Chapter Player of the Year Bruce Baxley.