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Rio Grande Valley golf courses steeped in rich history

20180208 Tony Butler Golf Course 06 webIt’s starting to feel like spring, and for us, that means golf – even if you can play it nearly year-round in the South Texas climate. Each spring we ask our readers to vote for their favorite gold courses. The Valley has many courses to choose from, and Winter Texans seem to try to catch them all while visiting the Valley.

This year, we wanted to delve into the history of our Valley golf courses. We hope you enjoy this bit of history and learning about the courses you visit and love. For the next three weeks we will feature a different part of the Valley. This week we will feature the Mid Valley golf courses.

Read more: Rio Grande Valley golf courses steeped in rich history

Seven Oaks honors 50th anniversary couples

5 COUPLES 50TH ANNIVERSARY 2023 n webThis year, Seven Oaks Resort in Mission honored six couples who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary some time between April 1st of the previous year and the end of March this year. They hold this event annually for their residents.

The program opened with an introduction by the chairperson of the event, Carlene Hemminger, followed by the welcoming of each couple as they walked to the head table. Music was provided by Tommy and Sara Bouland with an opening song of “My Best Friend.”

Read more: Seven Oaks honors 50th anniversary couples

Winter Texan Ambassadors Wanted

2020 WTT ambassadors img webIf you love coming down to the Rio Grande Valley each winter, you’re invited to become a Winter Texan Ambassador. The job is simple: share with your friends all the good times you have in the Valley each winter – away from the snow and ice. In a place where you can play golf almost any winter day. In a place where your MH & RV resort is a community of its own with lots of friends to share in a whole array of fun activities.

Read more: Winter Texan Ambassadors Wanted

The Ladies of La Floresta Go To The Movies

20230301 Ladies at La Floresta movies webIn February, the ladies enjoyed Mexican cuisine at Arturo’s Bar and Grill in Weslaco, followed by the movie 80 for Brady. The comedy, inspired by a true story, was very entertaining. Submitted by Arleen Bier

Golf highlights La Floresta Valentine's Day activities

20230301 La Floresta Golf Ginger Seurkamp webSubmitted by Arleen Bier

The wind whips across the golf course as residents of La Floresta tee off. For Valentine’s Day we played a special game of Mixed Scramble—Best Ball. With such strong winds, the ball either flies over the green or stops short, depending on the direction of the wind and the hole you are on. No Hole-In-One today but we got a few birdies.

Read more: Golf highlights La Floresta Valentine's Day activities

Food Bank RGV unveils new Mission Resource Center

20230301 RGV Food Bank mission popup webThe Food Bank RGV is proud to announce the opening of its new Mission Resource Center, a partnership with the City of Mission, which will serve as a comprehensive hub for social services, nutrition education, and food assistance for the community. The Center is located at the former Mission Food Pantry and will be open to the public for the first time on Thursday, March 2.

Read more: Food Bank RGV unveils new Mission Resource Center

Rio Grande Valley golf courses steeped in rich history

20191020 Rancho Viejo Golf Course HMiller 8428 webIt’s almost spring, and for us, that means golf – even if you can play it nearly year round in the South Texas climate. Each spring we ask our readers to vote for their favorite gold courses. The Valley has many courses to choose from, and Winter Texans seem to try to catch them all while visiting the Valley.

This year, we wanted to delve into the history of our Valley golf courses. We hope you enjoy this bit of history and learning about the courses you visit and love. For the next three weeks we will feature a different part of the Valley. This week we will feature the Lower Valley gold courses.

Valley International Country Club

Golf in the Rio Grande Valley has a long tradition, tracing back to the mid-1840s when it is reported that soldiers from Fort Brown introduced the sport to what was then known as Brownsville Country Club – now named Valley International Country Club.

Over the years, the sport grew and the names to graze VICC included not just the best from the Valley, such as Al Escalante and Tony Butler, but also Jimmy Demaret and Hall-of-Famer Ben Hogan.

In the 1930s, the city and VICC hosted a driving contest. “It was an era when Brownsville was coming up in the golfing world. The game was so popular that the city had its own practice driving range located across the street from “The Terrace,” a miniature golf course on the main street of the city, West Elizabeth,” wrote Rene Torres in the Port Isabel Press.

Read more: Rio Grande Valley golf courses steeped in rich history

Valley Star Awards: Another great show

DSCF3807 webFrom the naming of the winners of the eight categories of awards, to the selection of great Wintertainers™ who performed in the show, the Valley Star Awards held Wednesday, February 15, was a great success. Chris Marshall, a local musician who performs by himself and with well-known group The Bottomline Band, acted as emcee for the event held at Mission Bell-Tradewinds RV Resort.

Entertainers who had not been here for several years are making their way back to the Valley. And Winter Texans are returning to the entertainment venues in big numbers. The result was a group of happy Winter Texans enjoying some great Wintertainers™ this season.

Read more: Valley Star Awards: Another great show

Uncovering the real story

20181215 Riverside Dreamer Tour JMB 0076 webIt's a small, small world! Just last week I received an e-mail directing me to an article presented by the British Broadcasting Company. The Rio Grande Valley and the story of Rio Rico made the news all the way across the world. At first, I just could not believe it.

The article was all about Rio Rico, a Valley town that was once in the United States but is now in Mexico. How would you like to go to sleep one night living in the United States and wake up to find that you are now in Mexico? Well, that is exactly what happened to the citizens of Rio Rico for you see it is said that the winding and curving Rio Grande River cut a new and straighter channel leaving Rio Rico in Mexico.

This occurred back in July 2006 and all these years when guiding I have used this as an example of how strong the force of water can be. That episode was easy for me to accept for in Mexico, the Rio Grande is named the Rio Bravo del Norte or the Brave River of the North. And certainly, water can be a powerful force destroying bridges, sweeping cars off of highways that are flooding, and carrying entire houses away in their swirling currents.

Read more: Uncovering the real story

Golf Survey Begins

20191020 River Bend Golf Course HMiller 8563 webIt is that time of year again. It is time to vote for your favorite golf course. We do this every Spring, when the weather is just right to get out on the courses again.
You have three weeks to let us know what your favorite golf course is.

By filling out the survey, you could win free rounds of golf and other prizes. You can fill out the form in today’s edition of the Winter Texan Times (or the next two issues) or fill out the form online at www.wintertexantimes.com. All entries must be received by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15.

Read more: Golf Survey Begins

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