The Harlingen public golf course bears the name of the man, Tony Butler, who helped bring some of the sport’s greatest athletes to the Rio Grande Valley for professional tournaments during the Great Depression. His style of play, a consistent short game and accurate putts, came to reflect the character of skills required for success to those pursuing challenges on the Tony Butler Municipal Golf Course.
The Harlingen Country Club had opened in 1929and was originally a 9-hole layout designed and built by John Bredemus. Bredemus was acclaimed as a genius and that’s most likely one reason Harlingen suddenly became the site for the Rio Grande Valley Open. Later, the City became the host for the Life Begins at Forty Tournament. The original Harlingen Country Club was not a long course by modern standards. However, it required and continues to demand strategic thinking and consistent use of fundamental golf skills.
Today the Tony Butler Golf Course consists of 27 holes; an 18 hole championship course and a shorter 9 hole course along with a driving range, putting and chipping greens, Pro Shop and short order kitchen. The course meanders through the natural South Texas terrain, bordering the Arroyo Colorado river and is extremely easy to walk if you so choose.
This is a park and grab that should be an easy find; the biggest issue being the number of people that will be around the GZ. How you will get in and out without being spotted may require some creative thinking.
For more information about the Geo-Quest visit the Harlingen Parks and Recreation website by going to www.myharlingen.us and clicking on the Parks and Recreation Tab.