(This article was written by Tim Elliott, Tony Butler Advisory Board Member and Owner, Elliott’s Custom Golf, and was featured in the November 2024 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)
This article is a follow up to the “Golf Course Renovation Update” article in the February 2024 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.
Holes 1 through 18 at Tony Butler Golf Course have been closed for almost a year going through a renovation process. The course is scheduled to open on November 23, 2024. The following are highlights of this renovation:
New, state-of-the-art pump station
New irrigation system throughout the entire 18 holes
New laser-leveled tee boxes (5 per hole)
Complete new greens
New approaches to the greens
Driving range has been laser-leveled
Installation of cement pad to allow matts to be used
Repair of broken cart paths with the help of Harlingen Public Works
This renovation was not just a “smooth the old greens over and plant new grass” project. The original greens have been destroyed and the new greens have been created from scratch, designed by architect Jeff Blume. He designed the shape as well as the undulations on those greens. Each green has plumbing, with a spider-like series of drains underneath. A little more than a foot of pure greens sand was applied above those drains, which are referred to as California-style greens. The golf course staff used probes throughout the sand greens to make sure they created the undulations envisioned by Jeff Blume. Once all the greens received the sand and were probed to the correct undulations, the seeding began. Paspalum is the grass we chose to apply to the new greens. Paspalum is a fast-growing turf; it is salt-tolerant. It is also available in seed, sprigs, sod, and has a bright tint to the color. Golf course staff began seeding the greens a couple of months ago. The greens are really growing in well. Staff has now been mowing and verticutting the greens weekly. They are slowly taking the greens down to putting length.
Tee boxes have also been moved around. Some are in the same places, but others have been moved to support Jeff Blume’s vision. Many of the tee boxes have been extended to create a longer course. I do not have the exact numbers, but I believe the renovated course is going to play close to 7,000 yards from the back tees. A few trees that were in the line of sight from the tee box were removed. When you are hitting your tee shots, they will look different. The tee boxes will be using the same paspalum grass as the greens; tee boxes will be cut a little longer than the greens.
The approaches to the greens will be the biggest change. All greens are protected by the approach to those greens. The hole may be longer, the greens may be surrounded by bunkers, you may have collection areas, rolling hills, mounds, humps or depressions. Jeff Blume has designated where fairways and rough begin and end. His goal was to protect the greens from being an “easy hole.” Those approach shots will make the difference in your score. Golf course staff has had difficulties with some of the approach areas. The recent rainstorms have created run-off ruts. Each time they repaired them, more rain would come, so it has caused frustration.
What will golfers notice the most about the Tony Butler Golf Course renovation? First is the beauty of the approach shots. Second, the course is going to play more difficult. Third, the approach shots to the greens will be more daunting. Fourth, most likely it will take you a little longer to play the 18 holes, at least at first. The newly remodeled course will force you to elevate your game.
Many non-golfers in Harlingen have questioned the renovation project due to the dollars and the need for monies for other city projects. They should understand that the funding for this project came from the Community Improvement Board (4B). They receive 1/8 of $.01 from our local sales tax. The 4B Board is tasked to use those dollars for parks, trails, golf courses, lighting, and anything that would improve lifestyle in Harlingen. Those funds cannot be used for drainage or street repairs.
What will the newly renovated golf course mean to Harlingen? Harlingen will now become a “golf destination” in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). Residents from the lower RGV and western RGV will be making the trek to Harlingen to check out the new golf course. Those customers will be eating at our restaurants and paying taxes in our city. Tony Butler Golf Course can now be utilized by the City of Harlingen to attract conferences. A top-end golf course will attract golfers to reside in our area. All in all, this project, in my opinion, is good for all of Harlingen.
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