21 minute read
Golf Feature
Alamo Country Club
Alamo Country Club
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Peaceful and serene, this course was once considered a hidden gem. Itisstillagem,butitisdefinitelynot hidden. Boasting some of the tightest fairways and strategically placed traps, ACC is a dreamy course that will jump up and bite you when you least expect it. It’s a thinking golfer’s course, which means you’re probably better off bringing just a long iron, a pitching wedge and a putter – just so you don’t have to think too much.
You need to be accurate on this scenic and fun-to-play course.
Address: 438 Country Club Dr., Alamo
Phone: (956) 787-0907
Description: 9-hole, par-35 semi-private course
Website: myalamocountryclub. com
Golf Pro: Monte Medley, General Manager
Yardage: Back tees – 2,332; Forward tees – 1,584 yards
Amenities: Pro shop, chipping range, driving range
Winter Texan Specials: Call for specials
The Club at Cimarron
Under new ownership, Cimarron is making changes to improve an already great course. They are currently filling in sand traps and are hoping to bring in a new fleet of golf carts soon.
Wide open and long, Cimarron will challenge you on every single hole, either by length or by making sure you prepare for your second shot widely before even hitting your first shot. No. 18 is a beautiful hole that offers golfers to show how long they can hit both their drive and second shot. Even if you clear the water on the second shot, you face a green that will either reward you for your bravery or make you walk off it thinking… what if?
Address: 1200 S. Shary Road, Mission
Phone: (956) 581-7401
Description: 18-hole, par-72
Website: cimarroncountryclub. com
Golf Pro: Will Borowski
Yardage: Gold – 6821; Blue – 6444; Regular – 6134
Amenities: Driving range, chipping range, fitness center, restaurant, pool
Winter Texan Specials: Call membership services club for memberships; there are also small weekly group opportunities
The Club at Cimarron
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Ebony Hills Golf Course
Ebony Hills Golf Course
Ebony Hills has a simple layout with very few obstacles in your way, making it a dream course for any level of golfer to attack the greens aggressively and practice shots one wouldn’t dare try on a tougher layout with all sorts of hazards. One reminder though, like its sister golf course Los Lagos, the wind can do dastardly deeds to your golf ball, and your round. And while it may be simple, that doesn’t mean you could just rip everything mindlessly, even though that does seem like fun. Number 9, a 380-yard, par = 4 that goes a bit to the right, is the gem on this course – you must find the left side of the fairway to hit it into the green at the right angle.
Address: 30 W. Palm Dr., Edinburg
Phone: (956) 292-2144
Description: 9-hole, par-35
Golf Course Manager: William Walls
Yardage: Gold – 2,899; Blue – 2,719; Red – 2,572
El Niño Golf Course
Want to improve your short game and accuracy? This is an ideal place. A compact, but nicely laid out course, El Niño is affordable and will still give you challenges, whether it is from tee to green, or green to pin. You won’t recognize the greens, there’s been a lot of work done on them to make the ball roll truer, which means better scores (or more aggravation when it doesn’t drop).
Address: 511 E. Loop 374, Palmview
Phone: (956) 585-5551
Description: 9-hole, par-29 executive golf course
Website: http://missionwestrv. com/el-nino/
Golf Pro: Carolyn and Rick Racine
Yardage: 1,285 yards
Amenities: Santa Fe style clubhouse
Winter Texan Specials: Park residents – 9 holes, $7; 18 holes, $13; Non-Park residents – 9 holes, $10; 18 holes, $18. There are also a variety of monthly memberships
Los Lagos Golf Club
Los Lagos is making their course more golfer friendly – no, that doesn’t mean they are eliminating the wind and making it a course under a dome. The biggest thing is the elimination of sand traps (the See GOLF pg. 18
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Greet the holiday season at a State Park, Historic Site
AUSTIN— Texas State Parks and the Texas Historical Commission are hosting their biggest holiday season yet with more than 80 unique holiday events happening across the state. Having started this past Saturday, Nov. 20, 47 Texas State Parks and eight State Historic Sites are presenting themed guided walks, scavenger hunts and more.
Anyone planning a trip to a Texas State Park is highly encouraged to reserve their day pass in advance since some parks are expected to reach their capacity limit. Day passes can be reserved online (https://tpwd.texas.gov/stateparks/park-reservation-information/reservations) through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) website or over the phone by calling (512) 389-8900.
Visitors can opt to go outside this Thanksgiving and Black Friday for two guided walks at Bastrop and Buescher State Park. The first hike will be a Turkey Trot Sunrise Hike at Buescher State Park on Nov. 25. This ranger-led hike will run from 7-8 a.m. at the scenic overlook and is guaranteed to help you make room for a delicious Thanksgiving meal. On Nov. 26, Bastrop State Park is hosting their Gobble Till You Wobble Backcountry hike from 11 a.m.2 p.m. This ranger-led hike will trek through areas not often seen by the public. Visitors are encouraged to bring some Thanksgiving leftovers for a mid-hike picnic by the creek.
Anyone visiting Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site Dec. 11-23 can grab a self-guided tour packet, walk the grounds for free and learn about how Christmas was celebrated in north Texas during the 1890s (when Dwight Eisenhower was born) and 1940s (when the Denison community preserved the Birthplace house). Children’s craft kits will be available while supplies last. For more information, call (903) 465-8908.
In South Texas, families can pick a spot in the day use area of Falcon State Park to view the Third Annual Falcon Lake Christmas Boat Parade from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Visitors will be able to see decked out boats float by in cheerful holiday lights.
Celebrate Boxing Day and stretch your legs at 9 a.m. Dec. 26 at Franklin Mountains State Park with an easy 1.5-mile hike to Agave Loop. Visitors should bring good hiking shoes, plenty of water and a Santa hat.
Skip the store lines and get outside at Galveston Island State Park for a Black Friday Paddle Nov. 26 from 8-10:30 a.m. Regular entrance fees apply. For more information, call 409-737-1222.
The grounds of Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites are being transformed with holiday lights during the evenings from 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. Guests will be able to enjoy the walking trail with holiday lights, live entertainment, refreshments, family activities and visit with Santa.
For more information about these and other holiday activities at Texas State Parks, visit the TPWD website (https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ parks/things-to-do/holidays-in-theparks/). A full calendar is available online on the TPWD calendar page. For more activities at THC’s State Historic Sites, visit the Texas Historical Commission website (https:// www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites).
Social distancing and wearing a mask when inside buildings or when gathered with others is encouraged. Local and statewide limitations and restrictions may apply, these can change rapidly and may force an event to cancel or be modified. Please call the park directly or check social media for updates before visiting.
Photos of past holiday events are available on the TPWD Flickr page.
Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine is also offering a special subscription deal for the holidays. Buy a gift subscription for just $10. Don't want to feel left out? Give yourself the gift of the outdoors! Subscriptions can be ordered online at https://tpwmagazine.com/specialoffers/.
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PVAS celebrates Giving Tuesday
This GivingTuesday, November 30, consider donating $1 to Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) every time you have wanted to adopt a pet or help an animal in their care.
GivingTuesday is a global giving campaign built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities worldwide. It encourages people to take action to improve their communities, give back in better, more imaginative ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world. GivingTuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts and that they mean even more when we give together. "We are looking forward to this year's GivingTuesday and seeing the power of this movement. We suggest everyone find a way to give, from $1 to $5 to anything that you can donate," says PVAS Executive Director Donna Casamento. "Please make your lifesaving gift to the animals today."
Palm Valley Animal Society is joining the #GivingTuesday movement because they believe in the power of a community coming together. In today's world, we can instantly connect with anyone across the world. We all have gifts to give, and with social media, online giving, delivery, mail, and phones, there are limitless ways to use your generosity to support PVAS. Go to https://secure.qgiv.com/for/7g4e5a and donate just $1 to help reach their $10,000 goal.
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From pg. 1
During this time of year, I like to reminisce back to my younger years. Back to gathering at my grandparents’ house. Eating whatever veggies were brought in from the field within the last week – plus the customary green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, and ham. My aunt always made a white cake with coconut – very reminiscent of your traditional Italian cake.
We would gather late in the morning, eat lunch, and sometimes stuck around for leftovers for dinner.
These days – with work and family obligations – I tend to enjoy a more quieter holiday season, but I still miss those days of a house full of people, sharing stories, laughing, watching TV, putting puzzles together, eating all day, walking around the farm seeing what kind of mischief we could get into. I hope y’all have a great Thanksgiving holiday and take time to remember what you are thankful for. ********** As always – we enjoy hearing from you. Tell us what you have been up to this season. Let us know what you are doing for your community, or what you are discovering about you community. If you are doing something special for others this holiday season, or having an event in your park, we want to know. Even after the holiday season, we want to share your news. Send us photos, news items, contact information, to news@wintertexantimes.com.
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Los Lagos Golf Club ones your balls always landed in). They are also opening a new putting green in a couple weeks while keeping their other putting and chipping green open.
The course is wonderfully challenging and “delightfully” windy… many times even blustery. Los Lagos has amazing rolling hills, leaning fairways and holes that will give you plenty of options on how you want to reach the green. The bunkers are strategically placed as are the pins. Don’t let its beauty lull you into a false sense of security, this course is one of the most enjoyable courses in the Rio Grande Valley. You hit a great shot here, you will remember it. There are shortcuts to take that play risk or reward in a
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(Prices are per person, double occupancy) major way. Island holes and elevation changes make the wind even a tougher foe. And, of course, you are always hitting into the wind – we still don’t know how that’s possible.
Address: 1720 S. Raul Longoria Road, Edinburg
Phone: (956) 316-0444
Description: 18-hole, par-72 course
Golf Pro: Juan De La Cruz
Yardage: Black – 7,188; Blue – 6,789; White – 6,211; Gold – 6,211; Red – 5,561
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Winter Texan Specials: Call for specials
Howling Trails Golf Club
This course has transitioned into a wonderfully kept course that grows in popularity each year since the La Joya school district took over ownership. It is a fairly wide-open course, but water and trees that you come across are perfectly placed where you would like your shots to land. With 27 holes, you can enjoy 9, 18 or all of them and see some major layout differences on each one.
Address: 1910 Hole in One Dr, Mission, TX 78572
Phone: (956) 323-2165
Description: 27-hole, public, owned by La Joya ISD
Website: Facebook
Golf Manager: Raul Gutierrez
Yardage: Holes 1-18; Blue – 6,175; 19-27 – 3,459; 1-18 Reds – 5,597; 19-27 – 3,201; 1-18 Yellow – 4,881; 19-27 – 2,873
Amenities: Putting and chipping, pro shop, reopened but closes early during Thanksgiving season
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King Ranch (1 Day) Dec. 27; Jan. 20; Feb. 3; Mar. 10, Incl. Breakfast............$95pp Surf & Turf - A Link to the Past (1 Day) Feb. 25; Mar. 4, Incl. Lunch.......$79pp
Farm Tour (1 Day) Feb. 17; Mar. 10, Incl. Lunch...................................................$75pp King Ranch Farm Tour (1 Day) Feb. 24, Incl. Lunch + Feed Lot & 12 mile loop rd...$105pp
Monte Cristo Golf & Country Club
“It’s a different course. They’ve worked on the fairways and made a lot of things better,” were the comments from the pro shop. This course needed only some tender loving care, and it’s getting it.
It may be somewhat out of the way, but the scenic holes, the refreshing
Monte Cristo Golf & Country Club
air – and oftentimes heavy wind – combined with a fairly simple layout makes this a pleasurable course to play even under the most stressful of days. Their island hole is tougher than it looks with the wind, and you need to make sure you get enough air under your ball so it sticks. But the big question is – do you want to grip it and rip it? If so, this is your new home.
Address: 2919 N. Kenyon Road, Edinburg
Phone: (956) 381-0964
Description: Par-71 Public course
Website: montecristogcc.com
Golf Pro: Adolfo Cubriel
Winter Texan Specials: $33 for 18 holes, call in advance
Shary Municipal Golf Course
You won’t recognize these greens now. The course purchased some new equipment that doesn’t tear out
Shary Municipal Golf Course the grass and these are comparable now to the best greens across the Rio Grande Valley. You can play 19-27 for a short round or do the traditional 1-18. No. 1 gets your brain going right away. It might be worth taking a few extra practice swings and take in what it has to offer you.After your tee shot, do you want to cut the water already or play safe and lay up? What about that big tree at the edge of the water? And the bunkers? Do not go long... do not tee off to the left...there is a lot to think about, and we are just talking about the first hole! Worth every minute of it.
Address: 2201 N. Mayberry St., Mission Phone: (956) 580-8770
Description: 27-hole municipal golf course
Website: sharymunicipalgolfcourse.com
Golf Pro: Mario Flores, Golf Director
Yardage: 1-18 Blue – 6,000; White – 5,036; Red – 4,746; 19-27 Blue 3,138; White – 3,019; Red – 2,764
Amenities: Pro shop, putting green, kitchen
Tierra Del Sol Golf Course
This golf course underwent a major facelift a few years ago and the changes have been remarkable. Tierra Del Sol has a wide variety of layouts and some of the nicest rolling greens in the Valley. Several holes let you stand there and “grip it and rip it,” even if you kick out a banana hook or slice every once in a while. Coming up 18 with the Clubhouse rising up behind the finishing hole makes you feel like you're on some type of private country club estate. It is a beautiful way to end the round on a fun golf course to tackle.
Address: 700 E. Hall Acres Road, Pharr Phone: (956) 402-4545
Website: golf.pharr-tx.gov
Golf Pro: Mike Fernuik
Winter Texan Specials: Call for specials; book tee times three days in advance $38 for 18 and half court. Nine holes is $25
Tierra Del Sol Golf Course
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Whooping Cranes Are Making Their Way to the Texas Coast
AUSTIN — With the first sightings of iconic, endangered whooping cranes along the Texas coast being reported, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding Texans to be on the lookout for these impressive birds as they move through the state.
Whooping cranes are the tallest, rarest birds in North America. Currently, there is a population of around 506 individuals. Thanks to coordinated conservation efforts, whooping cranes are slowly returning from the brink of extinction.
Whooping cranes make a 2,500mile journey from their Canadian breeding grounds in northern Alberta’s Wood Buffalo National Park to the coastal marshes of Texas each year. The migration south to Texas can take up to 50 days.
During their migration, whooping cranes seek out wetlands and agricultural fields where they can roost and feed. The birds often pass large urban centers like Dallas-Fort Worth, Waco and Austin. Though whooping cranes rarely stay in one place for more than a day during migration, it is important that they not be disturbed or harassed at these stopovers. As a federally protected species, it is illegal to disturb or harass these birds.
With sandhill crane and waterfowl hunting seasons opening and whooper migration in full swing, TPWD urges hunters to be extra vigilant. Whooping cranes are sometimes found in mixed flocks with sandhill cranes, which are gray and slightly smaller. With their all-white body plumage and black wingtips, whooping cranes may also resemble snow geese, which are much smaller and have faster wing beats. A video detailing the differences between snow geese and whooping cranes can be found on the TPWD YouTube Channel.
There are several other non-game species that are similar in appearance such as wood storks, American white pelicans, great egrets, and others, but a close look will reveal obvious differences. More information on look-alike species is available online.
Wade Harrell, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Whooping Crane Coordinator at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), says the first of the season was a family group consisting of two adults and a juvenile on the Aransas NWR, along with another tracked bird that arrived in the Port O’ Connor-area, both on Oct. 29.
Harrell says typically most all of the tagged Whooping Cranes he studies are on the move in November as they head for their wintering grounds. The majority of the birds arrive on the Texas Coast in December.
Once whooping cranes arrive on See CRANE pg. 23
