Of Course: Joe Powell

Many would say Joe Powell has one of the best jobs around.
And Powell’s not one to disagree.
The El Paso native has served as the golf professional at The Palms at Mid Valley golf course in Mercedes since it opened in 1995.
He’s overseen plenty at the 18-hole course, located a couple of miles north of the expressway on FM 491, and has grown to love the area. He and his wife raised their two daughters here as well.
“My time down here’s been good,” Powell said. “The Valley kind of grows on you. It’s so much like El Paso. It was a pretty good fit.”
Since picking up the game of golf at the age of 12, Powell’s abilities helped him make a career many people would envy.
After high school, Powell was a scholarship player at New Mexico State University, graduating in 1991 with a professional golf management degree. He attained his Professional Golf Association (PGA) membership the next year.
“I played all the way through college and turned pro after college,” he said.
Shortly after college, Powell played a couple of events on the Nike tour, now known as the Nationwide Tour, which is a step away from the PGA Tour.
Then he came to a crossroads.
“I never really intended on playing the tour professionally,” he said. “Everybody dreams about it, but I was more of a realist.”
His goal for a career came to him while working as an assistant pro at a country club in El Paso.
“I heard about the course and heard they were looking for a golf pro,” Powell said of The Palms. “I ended up coming down and I got it. I’ve been here ever since.”
Powell oversaw construction of a new clubhouse in 2009, His other duties include running the pro shop, ordering merchandise, organizing golf tournaments, offering lessons, and yes, playing golf.
“Most of my lessons are with Winter Texans,” he said. “That’s a big part of what we do.”
Powell’s students include Harlingen High’s Morgan McClaugherty and Edinburg High standout Jessica Tamen, regarded as the Valley’s best female prep player in recent years. Tamen is headed to St. Edward’s University in Austin next year.
“That’s probably the best part … working with kids and seeing them develop,” Powell said of his job.
He definitely has the Midas touch. He recently was named a two-time winner of the Teacher of the Year award given by the Southern Texas PGA.
“My parents always told us to get out there and work for a living,” he said.