Pro golfer, investor group to restore Cimarron Country Club
After almost four years of closure, the Cimarron Country Club faces its chance at new life. The City of Mission and Mission Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced the 200-acre golf course’s $2.5 million sale to a new investor group last Friday.
The public conference held at the Center for Education and Economic Development provided a first look into redevelopment plans and designs.
“From the beginning, we were united by the belief that Cimarron is a special place with tremendous potential,” Abraham Ancer, professional golfer and lead investor, said. “We saw an opportunity not only to revitalize an iconic property; but to create something that will have a lasting impact on generations to come.”
The New Cimarron Group, LLC, and partners.
Mission leaders highlighted that the purchase opens up hundreds of temporary and permanent jobs on the property. Along with restoring Cimarron’s iconic 18-hole golf course, driving range, clubhouse, tennis court, restaurant and pool, the city hinted at establishing a boutique hotel for visitors across Texas and beyond.
“So you’re talking about millions of dollars; a new payroll, new jobs, opportunities and also drawing tourism dollars to Mission,” Teclo Garcia, MEDC CEO, said. “This is a big economic development project. Again, we’re thankful for that.”
Ancer, key investor, recounted his personal connection to the project. The internationally recognized golfer attended Sharyland High School and frequently visited the country club in youth.
“Many years ago, this community invested in me,” Ancer said. “Today, I’m honored to be a part of an investment in the future of this community.”
After high school, he went on to become a first-team All-American at Odessa College, finishing second in the Junior College National Golf Championship. In 2013, Ancer went professional and placed in the top quartile for numerous tournaments.
He earned his first title at the 2018 Emirates Australian Open, setting the stage for his future successes. He competed on the International Team at the 2019 Presidents, represented Mexico at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics all and took his first Professional Golfers’ Association win at the 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.
Ancer joined LIV Golf in 2022 and secured a win at the 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament. He now competes on tour with the all-Latin American Torque Golf Club.
During the announcement, he expressed his desire to apply his passion and expertise in golf to inspire youth, catalyze growth and give back to his hometown.
– Abraham Ancer and Salvador Rodriguez sign golf course plan development papers. Courtesy photo.
“The best days of Cimarron are still ahead,” he said.
The New Cimarron Group, LLC, comprises Ancer and partners Diamond Golf International, GDI FUSA, Pablo Futanet Rea, Olimpo Salinas and Manuel Heredia.
“Progress is never achieved alone, and we are grateful for the partnerships that continue to move our city forward,” Richard Hernandez, MEDC Board President said.
Members of the group bring decades of experience in golf and construction across multiple countries, leading operations of facilities such as the Bosque Real Country Club and Lomas Country Club.
“We intend to build the best golf course in Texas,” Salvador Rodriguez, the project’s redevelopment architect and president of Diamond Golf, said.
The Cimarron Country Club opened in 1983, designed by architect Dave Bennett. For years, the property was renowned for its status as one of South Texas’ premier golf courses. It shut down in 2022 after ongoing financial difficulties to the devastation of community members. The MEDC purchased the country club in 2025 with the intention of partnering with a buyer to restore the destination to its former glory.
Golf course tee signs of the former Cimarron Country Club on display.
“We’ve been waiting a long time, we wondered if we were silly to keep hope because it went on so long,” Ann Camarillo, Homeowners Association President of the Cimarron said. “We are really, really excited that we’re going to have the club reopened and made beautiful again.”
Disclosure of the upcoming timeline up until the long-awaited reopening of the facility remains pending.
“The course will be restored…and there’ll probably be new buildings and some renovations and things like that that happen,” Garcia said. “But the restoration for us doesn’t stop at the buildings. This is a restoration of memories. This is a restoration of a course. This is a restoration of a facility that Mission has always been proud of. And more than that, this is a restoration of pride.”
