Shary Municipal Golf Course Night Golf Coming in Q4’2025
Shary Municipal Golf Course Night Golf is on the cusp of a transformation that will blend history, technology and community in Mission, Texas. Established in 1929, the municipal course is among the oldest in the Rio Grande Valley. Its original nine holes—known locally as the “way back nine”—sit alongside a traditional front nine and back nine, giving Shary a distinctive 27‑hole layout. Once the project now underway is complete, Shary will not only remain a historic treasure but also become the first course in South Texas with lighted corridors for night play.
Why Shary is Investing in Night Play
For decades, golfers in Mission could only enjoy Shary during daylight hours. While the driving range is lit until 9 p.m., playing on the course itself has never been possible after sunset. Director Michael Fenuik hopes to change that with an improvement project that includes installing LED lighting on nine holes and repairing greens and fairways. These LED lights will be targeted to illuminate the fairways and greens while keeping the surrounding areas dark, reducing light pollution and creating a unique nighttime atmosphere.
In interviews, Fenuik emphasized that there is nothing like this in the region and that night golf will make the course more viable for residents and tourists alike. The lighting plan focuses on holes 19 through 27—those “way back” holes—and uses directed beams rather than the floodlights found on the practice range.
A Two‑Million‑Dollar Investment
The project is funded by the Mission Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which has earmarked about $2 million for the lighting and course improvements. City manager Mike Perez noted that Shary currently brings in roughly $1 million in annual revenue, but the addition of night play and refreshed fairways could lift that significantly. City council projections suggest that the new lighted portion could generate $358,000 per year over its operating expenses.
The renovations aren’t limited to lighting. Crews will redo green complexes and build two new holes (No. 25 and 26) to replace land lost to a park expansion. Smaller projects will resod worn areas on holes 1–18, and the course will close nine holes at a time to make these upgrades. Work is scheduled to start in June and finish by October or November, so the course is ready for cooler weather and winter visitors.
Inspiration and Regional Context
Fenuik points to The Firefly, a LED‑illuminated nine‑hole course in Corpus Christi that opened in summer 2024, as proof that night golf can thrive in Texas. That course uses an advanced lighting system to illuminate fairways and greens without washing out the surroundings—an approach Shary plans to replicate. Once complete, Shary will be the closest lighted golf course for many South Texans, giving players a local option for evening rounds.
What Night Golf Means for Players
Night golf isn’t just a novelty; it solves real problems for players in the Rio Grande Valley. Summer temperatures regularly soar into the triple digits, making midday golf uncomfortable. Local golfer Rodrigo Tenopala told KRGV he is excited to play in the evening because the new lighting will let golfers avoid the extreme heat. Fenuik hopes the course will become a “jewel of golf” for the region, offering residents and winter visitors a refreshing way to play after sunset.
Looking Ahead
With historic charm, modern LED technology and a significant public investment, Shary Municipal Golf Course Night Golf is poised to set a new standard for evening play in South Texas. Construction is underway now; if all goes as planned, golfers could be teeing off under the lights by late autumn of 2025. We’ll continue to follow Shary’s progress and will share updates on league nights or glow‑ball events as soon as they’re announced.
In the meantime, if you’re eager for a night‑golf experience, check out The Firefly in Corpus Christi or other glow‑golf events we’ve covered in recent weeks. Stay tuned for more news as Shary prepares to light up its fairways and welcome golfers into the night!
