Monte Cristo Golf & Country Club

Review of Monte Cristo Golf & Country Club in Edinburg

Monte Cristo Golf & CC opened in 1976 and it can be characterized as a traditional and straight-forward 18 hole course called a Parkland layout.   Like most older courses in the Rio Grande Valley, some of the fairways are side by side and all are very flat and in most cases you can see the flag and what you're up against from the tee box. The course measures 6392 yards from the Gold tees with trees and homes lining the majority of the fairways on the front nine.  7 lakes on the course create water trouble on 11 holes. 

What makes Monte Cristo Golf & CC a stand-out from its Rio Grande Valley competitors are the conditions – the greens are regarded as the best in the Valley, the fairways are in good shape, and the course is very well maintained.

Monte Cristo Golf & CC is a course where you can have a relaxing, enjoyable round and walk into the club house feeling pretty good about your score.  There are currently 5 sets of tee boxes with yardages from 4521 to 6392 yards – so distance isn't a problem.  Monte Cristo Golf & CC may not be the longest but with water on 11 holes, some forced carries, lots of trees, back yards, and wind the course forces you to think about your shots before stepping up to smack the ball!  The back nine is short at 2156 to 3040 yards and its a par 35 with 4 par 3s, 2 par 4s, and 3 par 5s. 

Some of the holes that are fun include:

• #2 is a simple 386 yard par 4 but a pond and a slight dog leg left make you decide whether to risk using the driver or play safe and lay-up off the tee box
• #12 is a 153 yard par three island green similar to that at TPC Sawgrass
• #18 is a great finishing hole – a 526 yard par 5 with out of bounds and water to cross at 150 yards in front of the green

Speaking of the greens – we are told that they are "the best greens in the Rio Grande Valley."  They were in very good condition when we played – they were soft and held the ball well, and run true and at a good speed of around 8.5 or so.  Many of the Monte Cristo Golf Course greens are slightly raised and are oval or kidney shaped. 

The sand bunkers at Monte Cristo have turned into grass bunkers that can be treacherous with thick grass and a line of dirt around the front of the lips. 

The fairways are flat, mostly straight ahead, and in pretty good condition.  Like the rough, there are some bare and dirt spots and some ant hills to watch out for.  Houses that line one side of the fairway can come into play.