Tony Butler†
Inducted 1998
Hometown: Ganado
High School: Ganado High School
College: The University of Texas at Austin
Best Known for: Athlete-Golf
April 19, 1908-Dec. 9, 1979
Every Valley golfer knows the Harlingen course, but few knew that Butler was a superstar who was so skilled that he specialized in playing entire rounds using only a four-wood.
Butler was the first golf coach at The University of Texas in 1927. He turned professional in 1928 after a stellar career at UT, winning the 1931 Texas PGA title and finishing in the money six straight times that year. In 1932 he was second in the Texas PGA Tourney played at the Harlingen Country Club, and came to work in the Valley the next year.
Butler, known as King of the Short Knocks, for top-rate putting, taught and played for decades after that, operating a pro shop and entertaining with his superb golf shots.
He was instrumental in the growth of the Rio Grande Valley Open and Life Begins at 40 Tournament and was honored for lifetime excellence when the Harlingen Municipal course was renamed Tony Butler Golf Course in 1973.