While the “majors” of collegiate golf are normally reserved for the championship tournaments during the spring, there will be something different in the air beginning on Monday at the prestigious Alotian Club in Roland, Ark. when 12 of the top men’s and women’s teams in the nation compete for the inaugural Jackson T. Stephens Cup.
The event, named in honor of the late chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and prominent Arkansas businessman, Jackson (Jack) Stephens, will feature 54-holes of stroke play on Monday and Tuesday followed by one day of match play. Individual and team champions will be crowned accordingly.
In its continued commitment to collegiate golf, GOLF CHANNEL will provide live, three-day coverage of the event beginning on Monday.
The University of Arkansas will serve as host for the inaugural event, which will feature men’s teams from Alabama, Arizona, Florida State, San Diego State and Notre Dame, along with women’s teams from Baylor, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Virginia, along with the Razorbacks.
“Our goal is to create a distinctive and highly competitive collegiate tournament that is comprised of tomorrow’s PGA TOUR and LPGA stars playing some of the country’s premier golf courses,” tournament chairman Warren Stephens said in a statement. “Dad truly believed that golf instilled life lessons and built character, especially when started young. Therefore, he would be very humbled and proud that this tournament is named in his honor.”
From the Alotian Club's Augusta-like setting, a field comprised of nationally-ranked teams and individuals and a national television audience watching on the GOLF CHANNEL, the Stephens Cup is primed to become one of the premier events in collegiate golf.
“College golf is growing so much and the depth of talent on the men’s and women’s side is incredible,” said Shauna Taylor, head coach of the top-ranked Arkansas women’s team. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the future stars of the PGA and LPGA tours on unbelievable championship golf courses. This event is another great example of how we are preparing our young women and men to be successful at all levels of golf. Tournaments like this are very special and to be afforded the opportunity to be a part of the first one is a game-changer for our program.
“I am excited to watch this event grow and become a highly sought-after invitation.”
Arkansas’ men’s head coach Brad McMakin, whose team is coming off wins at The Blessings Intercollegiate and SEC Match Play Championship to rise to No. 3 in Golfweek/Sagarin rankings, understands the importance of the Stephens Cup through the wider lens of collegiate golf.
“This brings collegiate golf to another level,” said McMakin. “It’s an opportunity to showcase our programs not only here in the state but nationally and internationally, as well.
“The people who are committed to the game are trying to grow collegiate golf on different levels. Dual events like this are great for golf. It brings exposure to all of our programs. These kids are the future of golf.”
Arkansas senior
Segundo Oliva Pinto, a native of Córdoba, Argentina, will reserve the “major” tag to the conference, regionals and NCAA Championship events, but certainly, the stature of the Stephens Cup, though in its first year, is not lost on him or his teammates.
“The Alotian Club is an amazing course. I feel a little different going into an event like this, more motivated and excited than anything. The only way for my friends and family in Argentina to know what I’m doing is to play on television. That’s exciting for me. Every opportunity I get, every putt I make, I feel like someone who knows me is smiling and enjoying what I’m doing.”
The 2022 Stephens Cup will be held at Seminole Golf Club, in Juno Beach, Fla., followed by the Trinity Forest Golf Club, in Dallas, Texas in 2023.
2021 Tournament Schedule:
Sunday -- Practice Rounds/Collegiate-Am Fundraiser
Monday -- Stroke Play (27 holes)
Tuesday -- Stroke Play (27 holes)
Wednesday -- Match Play Final Round by seed (1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, etc.)
Television Coverage
GOLF CHANNEL will provide live broadcasts on each day of official tournament play: Monday, Oct. 18: 4-7 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 19: 3-6 p.m.; and Wednesday, Oct. 20: 3-6 p.m. (all times Eastern)
About the Alotian Club
Spanning more than 1,500 acres overlooking Lake Maumelle in Roland, Ark., the Alotian Club, a 2004 Tom Fazio design, is ranked No. 31 on the Golf Digest “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses” list and 14th on Golfweek’s Best list of the top 200 modern courses in the United States. The Alotian Club has a history of supporting amateur golf, hosting the Western Amateur in 2013 and the Arnold Palmer Cup in 2019.
The name “Alotian” is derived from an annual trip among friends in which the group would visit the best golf destinations in the country. The trip was labeled the “America Lights Out Tour,” or ALOT. They referred to themselves as “Alotians,” with an “Alotian” being someone who enjoys having a good time and loves the game of golf. This is the spirit in which Alotian was founded.
StephensCup.com
ABOUT THE Stephens Cup
Debuting in 2021, the Jackson T. Stephens Cup is an
annual collegiate golf
tournament named in memory of the late Augusta
National Chairman, Jackson T.
Stephens. The tournament is a four-day stroke play-
match play event featuring
NCAA Division I National Championship contending
men’s and women’s teams.
The tournament format will be 54 holes of stroke
play setting the field for a final day
of match play based on the stroke-play team finish;
the final day of match play will
be 18 holes. The event will also recognize its 54-hole
winners upon completion of
stroke play.
View Complete Tournament Information