Tony Butler Municipal Golf Course

Harlingen's long-time favorite course, named after local golf pro legend Tony Butler, dates back to 1929 when John Bredemus built what was then known as the Harlingen Country Club.

In those days Harlingen was just a sleepy little village, void of winter Texans, and the Rio Grande Valley Open was a stop on the pro tour, hosting the likes of Walter Hagen.

Bredemus built a tough one, featuring three tough opening holes that brought the Haig to his heels. No. 1 in particular, with its gnarly rough to the left, forced Hagen to play back toward the tee box after his opening shot hooked into this rough, leaving him unable to play toward the green. On the second hole Hagen had to carry a ravine to reach the par 3, and with his confidence a bit shaken after the bad start he surely wasn't pleased to see No. 3, a par 4 with the Rio Grande on the right and water on the left.

Now the facility boasts 27 holes, with Dennis Arp of Rancho Viejo fame adding an 18-hole championship layout that has recently been updated with a new irrigation system.

Both courses are short, which is preferred in the sometimes-blustery conditions, and feature narrow fairways lined by mesquite trees. A lake snakes its way through the designs and impacts play on several holes. The greens are large and fast, and usually surrounded by bunkers. While the terrain is predominantly flat, there are a few hills to spice things up.

On the big course, the consensus is that the front nine plays more difficult than the back because of its length combined with the predominance of water hazards. Yet the back features the signature hole-the 170- yard par 3 15th hole.

Getting there : From Hwy 77 south, exit M Street, then turn right. The clubhouse is on the right side of the road.