PAGA national tournament returns to Lower Rio Grande Valley
This week marks the fifth time the Pan American Golf Association National Tournament comes to the Rio Grande Valley.
Beginning Tuesday, the tournament, hosted by the Brownsville PAGA chapter, will be played at Brownsville Golf Center, Rancho Viejo Resort, South Padre Island Golf Club, River Bend and Treasure Hills in Harlingen. The event runs through Friday.
More than 500 golfers, including women and juniors, are expected to participate from the national organization's 42 chapters in nine states. Besides Texas, the golfers are coming from Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
"It's a big plus for Brownsville considering the way the economy is," said Brownsville PAGA president Jesse Vicinaiz, who has been a member of the organization since 1975. "This tournament will infuse a little money into our local economy. We want everyone to have a good time. There's something for the whole family."
Previously, the Brownsville PAGA served as host for the national tournament in 1968, 1977, 1987 and 1998. The event was rained out in 1968, said Vicinaiz, who is serving a two-year stint as president of the Brownsville chapter. Last year's national tournament was played in Mesquite. Next year, it will be played in Houston.
The tournament headquarters for this week's event is Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites at 3777 N. Expressway in Brownsville. Registration opens at 3 p.m. Monday with a junior golfers meeting to follow at 6 p.m. The juniors play Tuesday and Wednesday with the men and women scheduled to play Thursday and Friday at the various courses.
"It's a fun event," said Dan Ortiz, a Brownsville PAGA member since 1974 who is the handicap chairman for this year's event and also in charge of ad sales for the national tournament program. "There are activities for everyone. We want to provide a good ambience and we want people to remember that they came here and had a good time.
"I was around went we hosted the last two national tournaments here (in 1987 and 1998)," he added. "We had 850 golfers here in 1998. We were expecting between 600 and 700 this time, but people (from elsewhere) think this is a war zone down here right now (because of violence in Mexico), and I think that is keeping some people away. We're still going to have a great tournament."
Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.
Hotels In South Padre Island Texas - News
Mark Collette/Caller-Times Weather Channel meteorologist Mike Seidel was among the meteorologists on North Padre Island as Tropical Storm Don approached the Texas Coast on Friday. Michael Zamora/Caller-Times Senior meteorologist Tim Tinsley (right)
10 July 30, 2011 in Nation/World on Page A2 SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – In the end, Tropical Storm Don was little more than summer thunderstorms. Some scattered showers were expected to linger over parts of South Texas, but …
Perhaps you've heard of South Padre, home to an annual bacchanal that draws more than 40000 spring breakers from all over Texas, and beyond, to drink and party. Thankfully, South Padre has a laid-back cousin, the Padre Island National Seashore
Beginning Tuesday, the tournament, hosted by the Brownsville PAGA chapter, will be played at Brownsville Golf Center, Rancho Viejo Resort, South Padre Island Golf Club, River Bend and Treasure Hills in Harlingen. The event runs through Friday.
Now instead of South Texas veterans having to drive to Veterans Affairs hospitals in San Antonio and Houston for specialty medical, dental, surgical and mental health care, can go to the new 33000-square-foot clinic slated to open next year at Bear
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A great hotel in South Padre Island is the Holiday Inn Express . It isn't on the beachfront, but you only have to walk a block or two to get to the beach.
As is usually the case with Holiday Inns, this hotel is clean, rooms are comfortable, and the staff are very friendly and helpful. They have a great hot complimentary breakfast!
The hotel has a very nice pool, with a hot tub, and a barbecue grill available outdoors. Inside they have a fitness center and a business center (computers, fax) availble for guests.
The Holiday Inn Express is slightly more expensive. Expect to pay around $150 per night during the summer months. Other than that, this is a great hotel!
Super 8 MotelIf price was an issue for you with the Holiday Inn Express, it won't be an issue with the Super 8 Motel . Here you can expect to pay around $100 per night during the summer. The lower price doesn't say "bad hotel" though... it is still a great motel.
The rooms are clean and comfortable and some even have kitchenettes, which makes it very nice for families. They allow pets, but be aware that there is a fee for pets.
The Super 8 has a nice pool to help keep everyone cool. They also offer a free continental breakfast.
Comfort SuitesThe Comfort Suites is another great South Padre Island hotel that is only a short walk from the beach.
Their rooms are comfortable and clean. The hotel has a very nice pool and hot tub if you want to swim, but don't feel like going to the beach. Like many hotels these days, they provide free internet access.
It is located behind the McDonald's on Padre Blvd. If you have kids, that's good news! The Comfort Suites offers a free hot breakfast though.
South Padre Island Condos Sea Vista CondosIf you're looking for South Padre Island condos, check out Sea Vista Condos . This would be great for a larger family because the condos sleep around 6 people, something you don't easily do in a hotel without booking two rooms.
Sea Vista's condos have full kitchens, which makes it easier to keep hungry tummies full. The facility also has 2 swimming pools, 2 hot tubs, and a tennis court.
Sea Vista is located right next to the beach and is also next to Schlitterbahn waterpark. That I like a lot!
Suntide III CondominiumsThe Suntide III Condominiums is another great choice in condos.
The Suntide has an indoor pool and hot tub, as well as an outdoor pool and hot tub. There is a barbecue picnic area and also a tennis and basketball court.
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