15 WINTER TEXAN TIMES www.wintertexantimes.com MARCH 5, 2025 but players can choose one of two other sets to heavily cut down the distance – while still keeping it challenging. Still, the course is a good one for all levels and ages. Many holes are wide open, giving golfers plenty of room for error and several opportunities to lower their score. Also, there’s a nostalgic feeling when coming up No. 18, with a majestic looking clubhouse coming into view. Monte Cristo Golf and Country Club is a little bit off the beaten path. However, it’s worth every extra mile to get there. Some of the holes are pretty simple. Others – like the par-3 island hole – are just spectacular and alone worth the tip. Because, when you’re good – well, you’re good. The course is also covered with magnificent trees, some, just in the way from giving golfers an easy shot, and beautiful views. It’s relaxing and, well, just fun Monte Cristo may be socially distant from the other Valley courses, but it remains among the most loved that the Valley has to offer. Ebony Hills Golf Club is, if anything, a survivor. Because of its ability to remain relevant among the nearby community and its golfers, the course recently held its 100-year celebration. The 9-hole course is flat and without many hazards Several Winter Texan parks reserve times on a regular basis to play the “friendly to play, friendly to walk” course that recently completed construction along the canal that had created a temporary layout. Known as “the other city course” in Edinburg, Ebony Hills provides a fun and relaxing round for those who just want to enjoy a little peace. Howling Trails was once owned by the Martin family and, thus, known as Martin Valley Ranch. Before that, there were a whole lot of orange and citrus trees. The Martins sold the course to La Joya ISD, becoming one of the first golf courses owned by a school district. The course remained open to the surrounding parks and the public but also gave its area schools a place to practice, play and hold tournaments. It is a wide-open course, but water and trees that you come across are perfectly placed – based on the point of view – where you would like your shots to land. It’s also filled with above ground water cannons – they shouldn’t get in your way, but you may hear a couple of dings during your round. A work always in progress is the best way to describe Shary Municipal Golf Course, a 27hole golf course with a full-service driving range that is open every day, except for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. But that constant work shows every single time you step on the course. It seems that this course has been improving every day for the past decade. It’s not overly challenging – that doesn’t mean it isn’t challenging. It’s the perfect balance, right there in the middle with a good mix of open holes, safe-play routes and “should I go for it?” layouts For courses such as Alamo Country Club or El Nino in Mission or Ebony Hills in Edinburg – just like everywhere – the true challenge is golfer versus himself or herself. Alamo Country Club is a short, 9-hole course. But don’t be fooled just because it’s short. It’s narrow and if your best asset is that you can crush the golf ball, this course will force you to figure out other approaches. It’s a very narrow and ambitious course where golfers are playing out of bounds and in between houses every single hole. It’s not a golf course where you have to be mighty from the tee – just strategic. There are a couple of par-4s that are shorter than some par 3s. On those, it all depends on how aggressive you want to be. The way the course is designed, it’s just challenge after challenge – but if you hit the ball straight, you’ll have the chance to score well. El Nino Golf Course is located within the Mission West RV Park, this tiny golf course, is especially popular among its residents – but other regulars also find the time to enjoy this 9-hole, par-29 executive golf course and Santa Fe style clubhouse. Note: If the entrance gate is closed call (956) 450-2199 (course) or (956) 585-5551 (clubhouse) and when you get there, or when you call, ask about the specials for both in-park residents and out-of-park golfers. Monte Cristo Golf Course. Photo by Carina Brunson Ebony Hills Golf Course. Photo by Carina Brunson Howling Trails Golf Course. Photo by Carina Brunson Shary Municipal Golf Course. Photo by Carina Brunson El Nino Golf Course. Photo by Carina Brunson
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