My friend Mark T. said today that the course he learned to play golf on, the McAllen Country Club was basically no good and that he didn't like it and would not play it again.
It got me thinking that I'm the opposite. I think good things about the courses that I have a history with.
So working back in time, here's my thoughts on the McAllen Country Club:
The golf course is divided by S. Col Rowe Blvd (2nd St.) and the old timers would recall how the course used to be only on the west side of that street. Holes 3-8 are on the East side.
The course is characterized by a compact layout. Most fairways are side by side, allowing a wayward shot to be played down the other fairway. A old style walkable course. I think it compares favorable to the Dallas Country Club in that respect. Not overly long, but many trees (especially for this area) lend to the need for the punch shot out.
The greens are usually in excellent condition. They generally slope from back to front, and are particularly fast, leading to the need for a good lag putt in the bag.
The course requires accuracy if not great length off the tee. Numbers 1 and 9 are played with an iron or fairway metal off the tee, but once in the fairway only have a wedge or 9 iron into the green. Number 2 and 8 are par 3's, with 8 being slighly longer and with a very difficult green. Water comes into play to the side of the green on #2.
Long drives are the order of business on the east side par 4's, numbers 3, 4, 5 and 7. With a good drive a mid to short iron will get you home.
Number 6 is a par 5 and is a risk/reward with the driver off the tee. Water comes into play on the second shot to the left. Many trees encroach on the fairway and will catch even the slightest errant shot.
On the back side,#10 may very well be the quirkiest hole with a cement ditch crossing the fairway that could catch a long drive from the back tees. Even if you clear the ditch, more trees grow into the fairway.
More long drives called for on the next 4 and 5 par holes, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 18. South 10th St. comes into play on the back side as O.B. is a possibility over the green and off the left side on #15. It can be very distressing to see your ball bouncing in that busy street!
The signature stretch is appropriately 16 through 18. #16 is an uphill long par 4, the number one handicap hole. Even with a good drive, you still have a second shot mid to long iron carry over water to a small green. Layup is ususally a good option. Play it like a par 5 and birdie it.
Number 17, downhill par 4 plays much shorter than the card reads. Brings the OB over the green into play. Not the bouncing ball on S. 10th Street again!
Number 18, back uphill to the modern clubhouse. OB left off the tee onto Wichita. A good drive will leave a challenging iron shot to an elevated large green. A fine finishing hole that is not easy to par, much less birdie.
Overall, a fine course for the members and fortunate guests. Local knowledge a must to take advantage of the holes where a good drive can make a differerence and knowing when to adjust your iron distance can make a differnce between birdie and bogey.
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