DECEMBER 15, 2021 www.wintertexantimes.com 14 WINTER TEXAN TIMES Green, Favorite 19th Hole (again, the clubhouse) and Favorite Menu Item (hot dog). “That’s just great to hear,” said Jim Barkau, one of three course owners. “It’s a friendly place to go. Everyone gets together after a round of golf and goes by, especially at 4 p.m., for Happy Hour. Sometimes there will be 35-40 people there.” Hole 9 is probably the biggest challenge on the course, with a resaca that has a tendency to have a sweet tooth for golf balls. “There’s a lot of balls in there,” Barkau said. For those who think a hot dog is just a hot dog, Stuart Place would beg to differ. Barkau said the hot dog is a quarter-pounder and his wife chops up the onions and it’s cooked on a George Foreman Grill. Barkau said one of the reasons he bought into the golf course ownership was due to the clubhouse. When driving into Stuart Place, the clubhouse is inviting and friendly. Inside, the people are the same. Some might be playing cards, others dominoes or just talking about the day’s events. It’s like Cheers but with a golf course attached. “I go to the clubhouse three or four times a day,” said Barkau, who’s an Illinois native and has lived in the Valley since 1997 with his wife. “Everybody gets along, and everybody knows each other.” While the course has the “Country Club” title, it is open to the public. In fact, Barkau said he encourages golfers from all over the Valley to check out the little piece of Harlingen paradise. “We have tournaments once or twice a month,” he said. “Everyone is welcome. Afterwards we’ll have spaghetti or burgers or pizza. This Saturday there are 50 or 60 people signed up to play. It’s just a good time.” It’s a good time that starts at the clubhouse, goes to the golf course, then back to the clubhouse. Or, for non-golfers, it starts and stays at the clubhouse. “We want the public to come,” Barkau said. “It’s a home away from home.” GOLF From pg. 1 Ron Tilsworth and company Dawn Moore Dean Brown Stuart Place Country Club
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