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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 00:00
For several years we have gotten Winter Texans’ input on the Valley top golf course and favorite holes at the golf courses in the Rio Grande Valley. This year we are starting a little early with our series that introduces some hidden gems at the more popular Valley golf courses.
We will be running a three-part series introducing these hidden gems in three categories – lower, middle and upper Valley. These hidden gems are recommended by the golf pros, or regulars, at the golf courses.
In turn, we would like to hear from you during the series. We will have a survey on our website, www.wintertexantimes.com, for you to vote on your favorite hole. We will be taking votes until November 13.
We will announce winners in an article on November 20.
Hidden gems, diamonds in the rough, unexpected surprises — like finding an extra $20 that was forgotten in the pocket of a pair of pants — can have a profound positive effect on one’s day.
Similarly, golf courses have some hidden gems of their own. Sure, they have their “signature holes,” usually the most difficult, most scenic or most unique (most of the times all three) hole on the course.
But hidden away are those other holes that bring a smile to a golfer’s face (sometimes dread) but, just like a mystery writer who throws twists and turns throughout their novels, golf courses do the same. Three of the courses in the Mid-Valley that often appear on top of Winter Texans’ favorite places to play are no different.
TIERRA SANTA GOLF CLUB, WESLACO
This course is loaded with gems. Everyone knows about what many consider the favorite closing hole in the Valley, the long par-4 that leaves most golfers with a decision on how to approach with water across most of the front.
Go for it? Or be safe and hit left, where a chip to the green awaits.
But everyone remembers No. 18 at Tierra Santa. Still, other holes await.
No. 3 is a gem of a gem. The par-4 starts the golfer off with a split fairway. Go the direct route and you have to fly the left-side lake, which means carrying your drive 190 yards and straight. Go slightly right and you may end up in the right-side lake. There are big rewards hitting a perfect drive, setting up for a short or mid-range pitch and run to the hole on the large green.
For the golfer who goes right, there’s plenty of open fairway. Slice the drive, however, and there’s a long approach over water and, if the pins are on that side of the green, you better “stick it.”
“It can be a pretty tough hole – it’s definitely made for golfers to think about it,” said the pro shop’s Dylan Martinez, who said he would play the course often when he was on the golf team at Harlingen High.
“It has rick and reward based on which way you go.”
VILLAGE EXECUTIVE GOLF COURSE, WESLACO
Walking into Village Executive Golf Course – which is about five miles from Tierra Santa, is like walking into the bar “Cheers,” instead of everybody knowing your name, it’s manager Marvie Torres who welcomes you in and knows you like family.
“Everyone considers this a mom and pop type place,” Torres said. “I know them all by name; I know what they like to drink and a lot about them.”
The mainly par-3 nine-hole course is a favorite among the Winter Texans “because it feels like home, it’s very comfortable. We’ve developed relationships, I have them on Facebook and we keep in touch.”
It’s also home to No. 9, the only par-3 that a hole-in-one hasn’t been recorded on. While it’s a straight shot – but with a crossing win usually, there seems to be a barrier around the finishing hole. Torres said that there’s a registry that goes back to the opening days of the golf course and taqueria (the official name is Village Executive Golf Course and Taqueria Del Golf).
“I don’t know why nobody has gotten a hole-in-one there,” Torres said. “Everybody likes No. 9. But they just haven’t (made a hole-in-one).”
Another gem is the fact that Estero Llano Grande State Park (part of the World Birding Center) is just across the road.
“A lot of golfers bring their cameras here because there’s a lot of nature on the course,” Torres said. “There are all sorts of beautiful birds that come to the course too.”
TONY BUTLER, HARLINGEN
This course is a jewel of golf history. That alone is a gem for golfers of all levels and experience.
The 27-hole municipal course doesn’t, however, just rest on its laurels.
David Arce, interim golf manager, said that No. 23 — a 348-yard par 4 — is a hole that isn’t very difficult, but it can be.
Most golfers are encouraged to lay up about 110 yards from the green where two ponds on each side of the fairway challenges golfers to “go for it.”
“The crazy ones like to think they can get it over,” Arce joked. “I guess potentially some of them can get across.”
For a bigger challenge, Arce said, go all the way back and tee off from the tips, where there’s a large ditch-like hazard that needs to be carried before attacking the rest of the sharp dogleg right.
“You can’t see the green from those tees,” Arce said. “If you hit too far right, you’re in an area with some natural terrain like mesquite and there’s a holding pond and a lot of native vegetation. It’s very brushy. On the other side we have more manicured trees. You can hit under and play through those.”
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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 00:00
Editor’s Note: This story about the Commemorative Air Force will take place in two stories. This first part will give you a history and purpose for the CAF and what they do. Next week we will let you know how you can help them achieve their ongoing mission.
According to Commemorative Air Force history, the CAF started with just a single plane, right here in the Rio Grande Valley. Lloyd Nolen, a crop duster pilot that had recently returned from WWII, and a small group of ex-service pilots pooled their money together to purchase a P-51 Mustang in 1957. Together they formed an organization to share the expense of maintaining the Mustang and their love for the plane.
In short time, through their efforts, the group eventually added a pair of F8F Bearcats to the collection. It was then they realized what they needed to do – save the aircraft that saved the world. They created what is now the Rio Grande Valley Wing Museum of the CAF – now a worldwide organization with over 10,000 members in 75 wings/detachments and over 150 planes, known as the Ghost Squadron, and other vehicles from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. They now operate the largest fleet of historic combat aircraft.
America had produced nearly 300,000 aircraft by the end of the war. By 1960, most of the planes from the WWII era were gone – destroyed, lost, in great disrepair, and forgotten. Most, what remained, were empty shells, stripped of wiring, armament and instruments; others were broken up, crushed for scraps or smelted. As CAF says, “all radio channels of their crews faded away.”
What started as a hobby for these few men, grew to an urgent mission to save history. The survivors were few, and Nolen, and his group, were eager to have their stories known. They set out to try to preserve one of every type of plane from WWII. Once they began finding planes, it was their goal to restore and bring history alive, to inspire greatness in future generations.
“Airplanes weren’t meant to sit on the ground and to sit at museums gathering dust,” said the CAF.
“Rather, they should be seen in their natural environment through flight. Their engines rumbling, propellers turned to life, their wings shivering in anticipation for flight. These machines were meant to fly, to inspire, and to fulfill the humans desire to dance among the clouds.”
Today, among their collection, the CAF owns one of the only remaining flying Boeing B29 super Fortress Bomber (FiFi) and the Curtis SB2C Helldiver carrier base dive bomber; an original Japanese Mitsubishi A6M30 carrier-based fighter; and a Russian I16 Polikarpov fighter.
With their collection, the CAF dedicated each Wing to have a different collection of aircraft, a different specialty. The RGV Wing has trainer aircraft from WWII and a few vehicles as well.
“The history and service of the men and women who flew these airplanes are both compelling and inspiring,” says the CAF.
Tom Santos, Executive Officer of the RGV Wing, said it takes a lot to be a pilot. You must know more than just how to fly planes. There is a special certification one needs to fly these planes. Once certified, pilots keep a logbook on how much they fly and when to make sure they put in their flights hours and the planes get the airtime they need.
Chris Hughston, operations manager at the RGV CAF, said there is an intense culture of safety when it comes to flying the planes. For example, anyone that flies in one of the airplanes must wear one of the real flight suits. They are fire retardant, not fireproof, and will buy you an extra 30 seconds to a minute if you are in open flame. It will also keep burning things off you – like oil and gas.
Hughston pointed out that a lot of the maps they use today are some of the same they used so many years ago. What they have started incorporating though, is having the same map on tablets, versus the paper. This allows them to see more than what is on paper, like navigation and radar overlay. Being that most of the planes are open cockpit, a paper map can be lost very easily when you are trying to read the chart/map and keep your hands on the controls.
He recalled flying their oldest plane, a 1928 bi-plane – it was a beautiful day as he was getting ready to land when the aircraft’s registration, an index card sized piece of cardboard, came flying out of the airplane, hitting him in the face.
“It was not a pretty landing,” he said, and there were many people that were witness to that. His registration card ended up out on the runway.
He laughed saying that when you come in and do a beautiful landing, there is no one around to see, but when you mess up, all of the sudden everyone is out there watching.
The CAF can use anyone he said. You don’t have to be a pilot to help at the CAF. Ground help is needed as well. There is other antique machinery at the airport. They have trucks, jeeps, support equipment and a 1928 Model-T – which is a two-owner vehicle getting its engine rebuilt for the second time.
The CAF has created an educational traveling exhibit and series called Rise Above that feature’s unsung heroes such as the Tuskegee Airmen and WASP. These are stories that are shared in the hopes of inspiring others to rise above their differences, their challenges, to achieve their goals.
The CAF says the stories shared in their exhibits are only the beginning.
“It’s only limited by the number of untold stories of valor” in America’s aviation history.
The American Air Powered Heritage Museum in New York, a visitor can see the single largest collection of authentic WWII aviation nose art, cut by firemen axes and chainsaws from the fuselages of derelict army air force bombers awaiting demolition in 1946. This display shows the folk art of how the pilots and crew members personalized the very aircraft in which their lives depended on during the war.
The RGV Wing has its own museum as well. Although space is limited, there are quite a few things to look at. These are artifacts that have been collected over time or have been donated by members or by local WWII vets and families. Tears were present as a member of the RGV CAF spoke about some of the artifacts they have in their museum.
The museum curator, David Christopher, shared stories of some of the artifacts and how they got there or what they have meant to visitors.
An older couple came into the museum and the wife was startled. She started crying, said Christopher. When the couple approached a certain display, the wife had to walk away and compose herself.
The display contained a picture of a bomber with his crew. One of the volunteers at the time, found out that the picture had the lady’s her ex-husband in it. He had left to fight in the war and did not return alive.
Christopher said he must do quite a bit of research on how to take care of some of the artifacts they have. One thing he has researched is how to take care of leather since they have several leather jackets on display.
He was taking care of the jacket when he realized there was something in one of the pockets. He gently reached into that pocket and found a bag of ashes. Checking on some of the displays and noticed a leather jacket that needed some extra care and he wanted to make sure it stayed preserved in the south Texas heat.
For a while, Christopher choked up and Santos had to help him continue the recollection.
A member had donated the jacket. When they talked to him, he told them it was the ashes of his father.
“His father wanted his ashes to stay with his jacket.”
They still have this jacket on display, with the man’s ashes safely in the pocket.
The RGV Wing is in Port Isabel at the Cameron County Airport. For more information, or to set up a tour, call Christopher at 970-397-4604 or Santos at 956-579-2611. Information can also be found on their website at www.rgvcaf.org.
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Published: Wednesday, 30 October 2019 00:00
Right now, the Monarch Butterflies are migrating right through the Rio Grande Valley - and so were the Monarch Ultra Runners. On Sunday, October 20, the runners made an overnight stop in Pharr before crossing the Mexican border the next morning to follow the path of the Monarch as they fly from Ontario, Canada to their winter home deep in Mexico. The migration route used by these colorful creatures covers 2,671 miles.
Three locals joined the Ultra Runners on their last leg into Pharr - Harlingen cardiologist Dr. Charles Mild; Jose Uribe, from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; and Angel Guzman, a high school science teacher and Texas Master Naturalist.
These runners hope to draw awareness to the declining number of Monarchs and to encourage the planting of native plants that will attract and help sustain the butterflies on their long flight. Mayors from cities across the United States have joined together in their pledge to support habitats to help save the iconic Monarch from further decline. Harlingen's Mayor Chris Boswell became the most recent mayor to sign the pledge when he became the 500th signer. McAllen, however, is a Monarch Butterfly Champion City, an honor bestowed on only a few cities in Texas.
The Rio Grande Valley is blessed to have the National Butterfly Center located near Mission, and right next door to Bentsen Rio Grande State Park. The NABA - North American Butterfly Association - has designated Mission as the Butterfly Capitol of the United States.
Annually, the butterflies begin their migration from Canada to preserves located in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. For years no one knew where these beautiful orange, black and white spotted creatures migrated.
Can you imagine banding these delicate creatures hoping that someone, somewhere, would see the band and report their whereabouts? And that is exactly what happened.
There are two preserves high in the pine covered mountains near Angangueo, Mexico. Another preserve is in Valle de Bravo. Perhaps there are others still waiting to be discovered but those are the preserves that are recognized at this time.
Towards the end of October, South Padre Island annually recognizes the importance and beauty of the migratory Monarch with a Gala and a two-day celebration. Mission will celebrate the migration with their 24th annual Butterfly Festival on November 2 at the 100-acre National Butterfly Center, abundantly planted with native plants that butterflies thrive on.
But nothing can equal the actual experience of visiting the Winter home of the Monarchs located in the Sierra Madres of Mexico. From a distance, the pine trees covering the mountain side will look orange - not green - from the millions of Monarchs that are clustered on the branches. As the Monarchs begin to wake up, they will fall to the ground. Stunned, but not dead, they wait for the sun to warm their wings before they fly down the mountain side for water and food.
All the visitor must do is be patient, be still and be quiet. Listen and you might even hear the flutter of their wings. Better yet is when the Monarchs land on you, in your hair and on your clothing. It will be a magical moment!
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Published: Saturday, 26 October 2019 06:00
The 2018-19 NBA G League Champions, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, affiliate of the Houston Rockets, have announced their 2019-20 schedule and look to defend their title. This year’s schedule features a total of 50 games, including 24 home games at Bert Ogden Arena, 24 games on the road and two games at the NBA G League Showcase.
The Vipers open the season with back-to-back games versus Austin Spurs, NBA Spurs affiliate, starting off at Austin on Friday, November 8. Then, the Vipers will host the Spurs for the home opener at Bert Ogden Arena on Saturday, November 9.
This season’s home opener will embrace the 2018-19 NBA G League Champions by presenting the Vipers their championship rings and the hanging of the third championship banner.
This season’s home schedule will also feature themed night games honoring the local community. On December 17, the Vipers will host an 11 a.m. Kid’s Day Game versus Memphis Hustle. The annual Kid’s Day Game rewards students through the team’s Perfect Attendance and Honor Roll programs.
The Vipers will also hold the 10th Annual All-Valley Showcase on March 28th. Top RGV high school boys and girls will compete east against the west prior to the Vipers final regular-season home game versus Austin Spurs.
This 2019-20 G League season will consist of seven back-to-back games. The Vipers will host 10 weekday games and 14 weekend games; a total of five Friday games and nine Saturday games at 7:30 p.m. There will be seven Tuesday games, one Wednesday and two Thursday games at Bert Ogden Arena all with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
The RGV Vipers are the winningest G League team with three championships; 2010, 2013 and 2019.
Season tickets for the Vipers 2019-20 season are on sale at (956) 972-1144 or the RGV Vipers website. The complete schedule can be found at www.rgvipers.com.
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Published: Friday, 25 October 2019 17:08
UTRGV Office of Public Art is hosting a new art exhibit at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex Lobby on the Edinburg Campus called DreamScapes. The exhibit is a posthumous celebration of the lives and talents of a family of area artists – Maxine McClendon, Edward Edson Nichols and Christopher Nichols.
McClendon was an internationally renowned artist well-known for her acrylic on stuffed canvas. Her husband, Edward, was an art professor at UTRGV legacy institution UT Pan American for 33 years, making an impact on hundreds of artists in South Texas before retiring from teaching in 1999. Their son, Christopher, a UTPA alumnus, was known for his watercolor scenes.
Dr. Dahlia Guerra, assistant vice president for Public Art, said this exhibit is a wonderful way to view the landscape through the eyes of three people who obviously loved the area.
“The artistic creations of the Nichols family celebrate the beautiful landscapes and traditions of the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico,” she said.
The exhibit, curated by Elena Macias, professor of art in the UTRGV School of Art, will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and during all evening concerts. The exhibit will run through February 7, 2020.
For more information on the exhibit, contact the UTRGV Office of Public Art at (956) 665-2353. The UTRGV Performing Arts Complex is located at 1201 W. University in Edinburg.
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Published: Wednesday, 23 October 2019 00:00
Hidden gems, diamonds in the rough, unexpected surprises — like finding an extra $20 that was forgotten in the pocket of a pair of pants — can have a profound positive effect on one’s day.
Similarly, golf courses have some hidden gems of their own. Sure, they have their “signature holes,” usually the most difficult, most scenic or most unique (most of the time all three) hole on the course.
But hidden away are those other holes that bring a smile to a golfer’s face (sometimes dread) but, just like a mystery writer who throws twists and turns throughout their novels, golf courses do the same.
Three of the courses in the Lower Rio Grande Valley that often appear on top of Winter Texans’ favorite places to play are no different. And, over the course of the past 12-18 months have made some changes to not only improve the course but also have made some of their gems all “shiny and new again.”
River Bend Golf Club, Brownsville
Its signature hole is No. 17, a par-3 hole that sits about 220 yards and along the levy. It’s both scenic and can range in level of difficulty based on which tees it’s played from and how the wind is blowing – and from where.
But for Adrian Garcia, a retired golf coach for 30 years, 20 of them at Brownsville Hanna, River Bend offers multiple gems, especially No. 4, a 397-yard par-4.
“The blue and the gold tees are at different angles to start off,” Garcia said. “It’s a little bit like a bowl from the levy and it works its way up.
“The dogleg right fairway flows into an elevated green. But if you don’t hit your tee shot to the left or left-center side, you will have a blind shot going into the green. If you hit too close to the right, you won’t be able to hit over the magnificent South Oaks.
“When I first played No. 4, I didn’t think I was in the Valley,” Garcia said. “I was like ‘where did all these hills come from?’ It’s just an amazing hole.”
Rancho Viejo Golf Club, Rancho Viejo
Rancho has a gem both on and away from the golf course.
The off-the-course gem is the Top Tracer driving range setup. It is a covered hitting area with monitor, televisions, a bar with food and there’s also music. The Top Tracer Range is owned by Top Golf. Golfers can set up a points competition, play a long drive or closest to the pin contest with friends and even set up the monitor to play Pebble Beach or St. Andrews.
“This is very unique – hardly anyone in the country has it,” said Golf Pro Don Keen, who is on his second stint at the course, working there first 25 years ago. “There are 11 golf courses you can play with a foursome like a scramble.
“You’re just hitting into the range but on the monitor, you’re hitting the fairways of Pebble Beach and it’s open to the public.”
Keen returned to help work some projects to improve the course and give it a new look. One of the holes that has completely taken a new look is No. 15, the par-4 315-yard dogleg that will challenge a golfer’s skill and mind.
“It is very picturesque,” Keen said. “It used to be a straight hole and now it’s a total change. We moved 15 palm trees from one side of the fairway to another, a fairway bunker, a big bern was added so the ball doesn’t run out of bounds. ... it’s a real nice hold.”
The golfer can play the dogleg or try to carry the lake and get close, or onto the green. The fairway is fairly narrow but was widened in areas (and made thinner in others).
“It’s a risk and reward hole,” Keen said. “Some of the bigger hitters like to carry the water, it’s just the corner of it. Others will play it safe – but it definitely makes you think.”
South Padre Island Golf Club, Laguna Vista
Just the name South Padre Island Golf Course implies beauty and a great golf course and Bracy Wilson, and the course’s owners, are returning the course to where it once was, where it should be, and beyond.
While No. 3 is considered the signature hole, golf pro Bracy Wilson said, “just because of the water and to be able to see across to the island makes numbers four and five gems as well.”
No. 4 is a par-5 hole. Don’t get distracted by the beauty of this 525-yard hold that has a slight dogleg right (“It barely drifts back to the right,” Wilson said.) And don’t hit too far to the right because your ball is almost assuredly lost in the native area. You won’t find your ball and what you will find, you’ll want to keep away from.
No. 5 is a short par-4 at 296 yards. Don’t be deceived though. That same refreshing breeze coming across the Laguna that makes one feel great, is the same blistery wind that can make this short hold unreachable to even the strongest of hitters.
“You have to hit over an inlet and it’s a short hole,” Wilson said. “But the drive will make you or break you.
“But those are very scenic holes.”
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Port Isabel Lighthouse was one of eight state historic sites welcomed by the Texas Historical Commission last month. The lighthouse was previously managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The seasons may change but one thing doesn’t – the Texas Quilt Museum will always have interesting and unique exhibits which change out quarterly. Their fall displays include Fascinating Rhythm: Art Quilts by Katie Pasquini Masopust and Mama’s Got the Blue. They will both be on display until December 22.
Every year, in an effort to not only preserve the local history but also to celebrate the local culture, Mission Historical Museum hosts folklife festivals that indulge in the local traditions. This time of year, it’s the Day of the Dead festival. The festival will be held on October 26 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Join the National Butterfly Center on Saturday, November 2 – Tuesday, November 5, for the 24th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival, and see for yourself why USA Today calls Mission, Texas, “the butterfly capital of the USA.”
make for exciting discoveries, including U.S. records, super rarities, subtropical strays, seldom-seen species, 'life' and chase butterflies that may only be found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), where the river winds its way toward the Laguna Madre at the Gulf of Mexico. This unique region encompasses no fewer than 11 different types of habitat, from tidal wetlands to riparian forest, brushland scrub to prairie savanna, and is home to more than 1,200 different species of plants, 500 species of birds, 200 vertebrate species, roughly 300 species of butterflies, and over 90 species of dragonflies.
