The weather is great for a round of golf. It pretty much is nearly all year in South Texas. Therefore, we come to you to ask you what your favorite golf course, amenities, golf hole and more are each year. Many golf courses have made updates this past year and are ready for you to hit the range.
This week, and the next two, you will find the description of a selection of courses starting on page 10. These listings will serve as a directory of sorts for you to plan your visits.
The Golf Ballot is on the back page. Be sure to fill that out and send it in, or fill out our online version at www.wintertexantimes.com, by December 8. By submitting your favorites, you will be eligible to win free rounds of golf, dining, and more.

 

South Padre Island Golf Club

They're back!

Major renovations have re-elevated this golf course to one of the premiere courses in South Texas. Completely torn apart and rebuilt greens (all 18), a new irrigation system and the addition of “lots of grass” are key upgrades that add to the entire golf experience. South Padre Island Golf Club has some of the most scenic holes in all of South Texas, overlooking the Laguna Madre. Don't get caught daydreaming there though, the layout is challenging, and the wind can make things even more challenging. The course has consistently worked on improving its cart paths, sand traps, natural beauty, and other areas in recent years. If you haven't played here recently, it's worth checking out again. You may end up out there more than you think – it's that beautiful.

Address: 1 Golf House Road, Laguna Vista.

Website: www.spigolf.com

Golf Pro: Jack Blundell

GM: David Boughter

Phone: (956) 943-4653

Description: Par-72

Yardage: Gold – 4,079; Red – 5,200; White – 5,552; Blue – 6,291; Black – 6,931

Amenities: Practice facilities, range, putting green, new restaurant bar/grill, pro shop

Winter Texan Specials: Players membership card – $200 for regular includes $10 off every round, $250 gold card includes unlimited range balls and $10 off every round starts Jan. 2022; Call for rates.

Tierra Santa Golf Club

“Big changes that have been thought about for a decade will be reality in February.” Tierra Santa is getting an upgrade. The pro shop, restaurant and more are under renovation and should be opening in February – and, just like the ultra-beautiful course, the changes will be amazing too.

The biggest challenge here – other than the beautiful and challenging No. 18 – is to believe that this is a public course and not a country club. It's going to feel even more like an elite country club-like destination as soon as construction is complete on the new bar/grill the club is building, then the renovation of the clubhouse. The course is well-maintained and has some of the prettiest and well-designed holes in the Valley. Oh, did we mention No. 18? Even if we did, it's worth mentioning again. You will leave that hole either with a big grin on your face or scratching your head wondering... how?

Address: 1901 Club de Amistad, Weslaco

Phone: (956) 973-1811

Description: Par-72

Website: tierrasantaweslaco.com

Golf Pro: Adrian Livas

Yardage: Red – 2,580; White – 3,012; Blue – 3,284; Black – 3,546

Amenities: driving range, putting/chipping green, pro shop, restaurant

Winter Texan Specials: Winter Texans can purchase 10, 20 or 30 rounds at discounted rates, and it comes with one, two or three free rounds; Winter Texans can call the pro shop for rates and more information.

Treasure Hills Golf Club

A golf course that at one time was on the verge of shutting down has new life, and golfers should be thankful. Scenic views, magnificent trees and serene lakes make this course beautiful. And the layout makes it challenging and always a fun course to play. Many holes are wide open, some bottle neck so you play risk versus reward here if you don't plan a couple shots ahead. Slight elevation changes may also throw the golfer off, or at least for the golfers to think more about which club to pull out of the bag.

Address: 3009 N. Augusta National Dr., Harlingen

Phone: (956) 425-1700

Description: Par-72

Website: NA

Golf Manager: Roger Bhakta

Yardage: Red – 4,749; Gold – 5,361; White – 6,360; Blue – 6,788

Amenities: Pro shop, snacks, concessions, beer, sandwiches; driving range, putting green

Winter Texan Specials: Special membership – individual for month $450 plus tax; couples $572 plus tax. Both include cart.

Raymondville Municipal Golf Course

Raymondville Municipal Golf Course offers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Raymondville Municipal Golf Course difficult yet friendly, and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round. As one reviewer put it: “Raymondville is a quaint little 9-hole course set amidst farmland with minimal elevation change. Straightforward layout and laid-back rural feel. Always a good choice for some value golf.”

Address: 13839 Emma Ross Road, Raymondville

Phone: (956) 690-4068

Description: 9-hole Par 36

Website: NA

Golf Pro: Lupe Serna

Yardage: Red – 2,440; White – 2,896; Blue – 3,040

Amenities: Driving range, rental clubs

Prices: $11 for 9 holes with cart; $16 for 18 holes with cart; $5.58 for 9 holes to walk; $9.85 for 18 holes to walk.

Village Executive Golf Course

For a pleasant change of pace, this par-3 course is perfect for a quick round of enjoyable golf. Want to work on your short irons and approaches, this is the place to go. The course is mostly open without too many hazards – of course the South Texas wind is a natural hazard. But don't get caught off guard, there is water that comes into play and a few big trees that would be more than happy to steer your shot off course. Affordable is nice, but a couple holes make the scenery here even nicer.

Address: 3300 S. International Blvd., Weslaco

Phone: (956) 968-6516

Description: 9-hole, 1,563-yard public course

Website: Village Executive Golf on Facebook

Golf Pro: NA

Yardage: All tees – 1,563

Amenities: Clubhouse

Winter Texan Specials: $10 per day; $2 each time to play after that for the day.

Brownsville Golf Center

Wide open fairways and large – yet quick – greens give golfers an opportunity to improve their game without being beaten up by courses that are sometimes way too challenging for those looking at the simpler things in life. Brownsville Golf Center is exactly what a municipal course should be, inviting and available to all levels of golfers. That is not to say it is not challenging, and water comes into play on most holes. Also, you still have to carry that water at times and be strategic on several holes, deciding how much you want to cut a corner or to “go for it.”

Address: 180 W. San Marcello, Brownsville

Phone: (956) 541-2582

Description: 18-hole, par-70, municipal course

Website: www.cob.us

Golf Pro: Isabel Gaucin

Yardage: Blue – 6,144; White – 5,652; Red – 5,091

Amenities: Chip and putt green, snack bar

Winter Texan Specials: $25 for 18 holes; Twilight starts at 2 p.m. for $18; members $75/month for seniors, doesn't include cart; yearly membership: $904 with the cart.

Stuart Place Country Club

This is a course where “everybody knows your name.” Well, at least it has a feel like that – from the time you decide what color tees you're going to hit from (a big deal since there is a 700-yard difference) until the time you return to the comfort of the small, but definitely relaxing clubhouse. The course isn't super difficult, but it still has its challenges, and you can't just plan on wedges and putters, but you could probably still have fun with only that on this pretty course.

The new golf pro, Wendy Werley Bullock is one of the best teaching pros in all of South Texas and is a certified Master teacher for children.

Address: 155 Highland Drive, Harlingen

Phone: (956) 428-2000

Description: 9-hole Par-36

Website: Facebook – Stuart Place Golf

Golf Pro: Wendy Werley Bullock

Yardage: Blue – 2,646; White – 2,205; Yellow – 2,057; Red –1,944

Amenities: Bar with snacks, practice putting area

Winter Texan Specials: $18 for 9 holes with cart; $27 for 18 holes with cart.

Valley International Country Club

Both challenging yet comfortable, Valley International provides the beginning golfer as many challenges as the more experienced golfer. Perfectly self-described as a golf sanctuary, the peaceful surroundings combined with a difficult but beatable and rewarding layout, the four sets of tees are key in how you play your round and give even the lowest handicappers some big decisions to make – lay up or grip it and rip it? Risk and reward are premiums on this popular and 18-hole championship layout.

The course reseeded the greens and they renovated the pro shop, which is up and running (“We're pretty good right now.”) The course also has a nine-hole par-3 executive course (par-27 for the round) on the same property for those who want a change of pace or to practice their short game, where scoring is at a prime, and so is time.

Address: 301 McFadden, Brownsville

Website: www.valleyinternationalgolf.com

Phone: (956) 548-9199

General Manager: Kevin Sargent

Golf Pro: K.C. Lauber

Description: 18-hole, par-70

Yardage: White – 4,924; Black – 5,517; Blue – 6,130; Orange – 6,538

Amenities: Golf shop, practice green, bar & grill (limited times and menu)

Winter Texan Specials: Burger deal – cheeseburger, French fries and round of golf with cart, $29, starting in December; call for other specials.