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The Secret History of Hot Springs Village 56 Years of Golf, Gates, & The Movable Island

The Secret History of Hot Springs Village: 56 Years of Golf, Gates, & The Movable Island

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Dennis Simpson

Untold Stories from the Legends of North America’s Largest Gated Community

What was it like in the early days of Hot Springs Village? Join host Dennis R. Simpson at the Diamante Country Club for a fascinating trip down memory lane with two true legends: JP (former Director of Golf) and Linda Mayhood (former COO).

With a combined 56 years of experience at the Property Owners Association (POA), JP and Linda share hilarious, behind-the-scenes stories from the “Piggly Wiggly” office era. In this deep dive, you’ll discover:

  • The “Movable” Island Green: The truth behind a high-priced, unique request that nearly changed the course forever.

  • The Gate Experiment: Why the Village was gated in the first place (it wasn’t what you think!).

  • The Chaos of “Bucket Day”: A look back at the infamous events that shaped the community’s history.

  • The Evolution of Amenities: How world-class courses like Isabella and Granada rose from napkins and sketches.

Whether you’re an “old-timer” or a new resident, this video is a must-watch for anyone who loves the history of our world-class community.

Video Chapters

  • 00:00 – The Legend of the “Movable” Island Green

  • 00:20 – Local Sponsors: Real Estate & Financial Services

  • 00:48 – Introducing the Legends: JP and Linda Mayhood

  • 01:35 – The Early Days: Working at the Piggly Wiggly Office

  • 02:40 – 1970s Tech: IBM Computers and Massive Ledgers

  • 04:50 – The Infamous “Bucket Day” and 3-Legged Tables

  • 06:45 – Historic Hot Springs: The Original Grocery & Post Office

  • 08:25 – Population Growth: 1978 vs. 1984

  • 09:50 – Was there a Master Plan? The Cooper Development Strategy

  • 13:20 – The Great Gate Debate: Why HSV is Gated

  • 15:45 – JP’s Journey: Becoming Director of Golf in ’97

  • 18:15 – Financial Resilience: Why HSV Never Went Bankrupt

  • 21:05 – Elevating the Game: Building Isabella and Granada

  • 22:45 – The Secret History of Magellan Golf Course

  • 24:35 – Building the POA: From Napkins to Elevators

  • 27:10 – The Balboa Irrigation Disaster & Community Support

  • 30:10 – John Daly and the Diamante Connection

  • 33:50 – The Infamous NRPI & Eric Estrada Years

  • 46:00 – The Cycle of Ideas: “Let’s Paint the Building”

  • 49:15 – Why the Balboa Club is So Massive

  • 51:20 – Closing Sponsors & Local Favorites

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About Hot Springs Village Venues

Dennis R. Simpson and Diana Simpson are the owners and creators of Hot Springs Village Venues, a local media and podcast platform serving Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

Dennis and Diana have produced more than 1,000 videos about Hot Springs Village, its people, places, history, events and things to do.

Hot Springs Village Venues began in April 2019 with the goal of sharing the people, stories and experiences that make Hot Springs Village special.

Reach US

dennis@village-venues.com

501-350-0227

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