El Dorado, Ark. – Mystic Creek Golf Club in El Dorado, Arkansas recently welcomed Zak Valentine as its new director of golf. Valentine will oversee the strategic direction and day-to-day management of the club’s golf operations for the 18-hole semi–private / daily-fee facility, which Golfweek has named the “Best Course You Can Play in Arkansas” for the past eight years.
Valentine started in the golf industry in 1996 and has a diverse background in golf operations, instruction, player development, tournaments/events, merchandising and marketing. He most recently served as the head golf professional at Timberlinks Golf Club in Denton, Texas. Along with working in the golf industry, Valentine has worked as a captain and firefighter/EMT for both the North Park Fire Department in Machesney Park, Illinois and Cherry Valley Fire Department in Cherry Valley, Illinois. Valentine’s experience as a firefighter helped develop his leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as his ability to perform under pressure.
“I’m looking forward to becoming part of the Mystic Creek community and working with our members and team to continue making this a special place to play and enjoy the game of golf,” said Valentine. “I’m passionate about growing the game, building relationships, developing people, and creating memorable experiences for members and guests.”
Valentine has been a PGA Class A Professional since 2025. Originally from Rockford, Illinois, he is a graduate of the Illinois Fire Service Institute in Champagne-Urbana and holds numerous state firefighter certifications.
Mystic Creek Golf Club is an 18-hole, Kenneth Dye, Jr-designed course managed by Troon Golf, the resort and daily-fee division of Troon. Open since May 2013, Mystic Creek Golf Club features cathedral pines similar to Augusta, high-flashing bunkers similar to those designed by A.W Tillinghast and domed greens with runoffs similar to Pinehurst No. 2. Just after opening in 2013, the semi-private course was named one of the “Best New Courses” by Golf Digest. With impeccable course conditions and outstanding service, Mystic Creek Golf Club continues to be recognized as the regions premier course. The course annually hosts The Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, an Epson Tour event, and has also hosted a number of other high-profile events, including the Men’s Sunbelt Collegiate Championship and the Women’s Southland Conference Championship in 2021.
For information on Mystic Creek Golf Club, visit www.golfmysticcreek.com or call (870) 312-0723.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company, providing services at locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries. In addition to private, daily fee, resort and municipal golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, Peter Burwash International, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
