HARLINGEN — After 16 years, golf pro Eddie Medlin is leaving the Tony Butler Golf Course.
Yesterday, Medlin said he is taking a job at another golf course.
However, Medlin was mum about the reason he is resigning.
But he said his resignation does not stem from the golf course’s drop in revenue over the past few years.
“That has nothing to do with it,” Medlin said.
Now, the search is on for his replacement.
On Tuesday, the city began advertising for a golf pro.
“We’re in the process of advertising to find the next person to manage the golf course — someone well-rounded with a clear understanding of running a successful golf course, someone who understands operations and the administrative side,” City Manager Dan Serna said.
Medlin declined to disclose the name of the golf course at which he has taken a job because its staff has not been informed about the move.
“There was an opportunity presented to me and it’s going to be a good move for me,” he said. “It’s time to start a new chapter in my life. I’m moving on and I look forward to it.”
Sixteen years ago, Medlin, who was making $48,000 a year, began working as a clerk at the golf course.
“He’s done a good job for us,” Serna said.
About eight years ago, he was named assistant golf pro.
In 2012, Medlin was appointed as the golf pro.
“I enjoyed working here for 16 years,” he said. “It’s like family. We’ve done a lot of cool things.”
Among his accomplishments, Medlin included his clinics aimed at teaching special needs children to learn to the play the game.
During his tenure, Medlin worked to boost programs aimed at drawing younger players to the golf course.
However, for about five years, Medlin was faced with declining revenue.
For years, the Tony Butler course stood as the Rio Grande Valley’s only self-sustaining municipal golf course.
But like many golf courses across the country, it has drawn fewer golfers in recent years.
Since at least 2013, the golf course has operated in the red.
While annual expenditures have hovered at about $1.2 million, revenues have dropped, leaving deficits ranging from $48,324 to $302,587.
Medlin cites a drop in Winter Texan players as a key factor.
