Rate increase won't affect golfers

HARLINGEN - Golfers at the Tony Butler Golf Course said Friday that a rate increase won't put a slice in their swing.

City commissioners this week approved the first reading of an ordinance that would increase fees at the golf course by as little as $1 for purchasing extra golf balls to as much as $25 for annual greens fee.

Golf course superintendent K.C. Lauber said the increase is necessary to keep up with expenses. The rate increases are the first since the 2000-2001 fiscal year, Lauber said.

"This is just the cost of doing business," Lauber said Friday. "We have to match with our expenses."

Golfers agree with Lauber and said that the increase is minimal and necessary to keep up with the current economy.

Harold Fleming of Harlingen has been golfing at TBGC since 2002 and said he hates any kind of increase but understands that there must be an accommodation to the rising prices.

"That's basically not even a raise - it's a give away," Fleming said. "This is still the (least expensive) place in the area. Such a modest increase is just like not having an increase."

Randy Rhodes and Harvey Straight also said that despite the rate increases, they are still getting a good deal at TBGC.

"We can't gripe about the price for sure," Straight said. "It's a great, great buy. There's a great greens keeper."

"(The greens) are very well kept," Rhodes said. "(The new prices) are very well within the parameters."

Straight said that he hopes some of the revenue will be used to fix the cart barn.

Brett Esparza of Harlingen who has been golfing at TBGC for about 15 years, said he doesn't mind paying extra if it means well-kept greens.

"These rate increases are not too drastic or significant," Esparza said. "If that's what they have to do to upkeep (the course), I'm for whatever they need to do. That's the way the economy is going."

Esparza said he's seen significant improvement at the course over the past five years.

Ray Witten of Rio Hondo has been playing at TBGC for more than 10 years, he said, at least a couple times a week.

"(The increase) is not a problem," Witten said. "(The course) is one of the best in the Valley - it's very well kept, fun to play and it's challenging enough. We haven't had an increase in a long time."

Golfing partner Johnny Pearce agreed and said the prices are reasonable compared to other courses on which he's played, such as the courses at Treasure Hills and River Bend.

Albert Esparza said he is not an avid golfer but the rate increases won't affect his visits to the course at least a couple times during the summer.

"It's like everything else," Albert Esparza said. "The economy is affecting everybody and maintaining these courses is the same."

Gale and Jerry Rollo of Harlingen have been golfing at TBGC for 12 years and also said their game will not be affected by the rate increases. They pay a yearly rate of $650 that will increase to $675.

"It's still the cheapest place to play," Jerry Rollo said.

"The course is in good shape and we play year-round," Gale Rollo said.

A round of golf in Kansas City, the couple's previous home, would cost about $72, Jerry Rollo said.

However, the couple said they would like to see improvements at the executive nine holes that gets a lot of play in the winter.