13 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com MARCH 20, 2024 Elliott’s Custom Golf 712 N 77 Sunshine Strip #20 Harlingen, TX 78550 (877) 428-5448 • elliott@customclubs.net SKYTRACK LAUNCH MONITOR Improve your game and receive instant and real-time 3D shot analysis and ball-flight data. Identify strengths, weaknesses & dispersion • Bag Mapping to select the right clubs on the course • Wedge Matrix to master short game Five Star Customer Ratings - Google Reviews COMPUTERIZED CUSTOM CLUB FITTING was planted from tees to greens, drainage was improved and Tierra Del Sol became a completely new golfing experience. Some holes are still in the “grip it and rip it” category, but other holes require a deft touch. Large greens are nice and roll true – but large greens also can lead to long putts. Sometimes laying up and pitching onto the green here is more beneficial than being on the farthest point from the green. A tiny almost-island like hole gives golfers a pleasant view from a walking bridge that was added. But don’t get distracted by the view – there are some vicious pin placements here. The course also has amazing breakfast tacos. LOWER VALLEY South Padre Island Golf Course – First Place, Laguna Vista It only seems right that South Padre Island Golf Course tops the list for favorite Lower Valley course. The expectations are high when you play a course named after one of the most exhilarating vacation destinations in the country. This course has been working furiously to meet those expectations. Clearly that work – and some TLC – is paying off as once again SPI is among the Winter Texans’ favorite courses. It’s easy to take in some of the breathtaking views this course has to offer. Those same views can also lull you into too much relaxation on a course that is filled with challenges, and the amazingly crazy South Texas winds, especially on the coast. Whether you come to South Texas on vacation or are a winter visitor – or a full-time resident, you need to play this course at least once – no, wait, multiple times. There will be stories to tell, especially after playing par-4 No. 18. A hole where being conservative is probably the best bet, even though the rewards of a long ball are at their maximum. River Bend – Second Place, Brownsville River Bend is like a gift you never expected to receive. Ever since the beautifully designed golf course opened itself up and shared its joy with the rest of the world, the course has sky-rocketed to a perennial favorite among Winter Texans, and across the Valley. River Bend was built as a ninehole course but expanded to 18 holes in 1985. It’s situated along the banks of the Rio Grande and was once considered one of the best-kept golf secrets in the Valley. That changed when the Barnard family purchased the course in 2015. The Rio Grande Valley is renowned for its climate, flora and fauna, friendly people and economical lifestyle and River Bend worked to bring it together in one location. The name is derived from the huge bend in the Rio Grande that borders the resort and provides the property with a lush tropical setting. Plants and birds not seen elsewhere in the U.S. are common throughout River Bend Resort & Golf Club. Not only one of the most scenic and relaxing courses to play, but River Bend also gives golfers wide open holes, tight fairways, elevation changes and a chance to use every club in your bag. They have also removed some trees too where a beautiful view of the river emerges, and it could make you forget that you’re golfing and not just sightseeing. Valley International Golf Course – Third Place, Brownsville More commonly known as VICC, you’ll especially notice one thing about this course – as soon as you drive into the parking lot you see the presentation of trees, flowers and landscaping that is beyond comparison. It is not an especially difficult course, but you would be smart to use the clubs you can hit in a straight line because a little stray turns into a lot of trouble. Every year, this course improves something, from a hole to drainage to a stocked pro shop. And, when it comes to food – the country club part of the course shines brightly and can easily make you forget if you had a bad round or add to the pleasantries of a good one. River Bend Golf Course. Photo by Henry Miller South Padre Island Golf Course. Courtesy photo
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTczOTk5Mg==