Bandera City Council members received a report on the recent Cowboy Capital Classic Disc Golf Tournament before approving the Bandera Economic Development Corporation's (EDC) 2026-2027 fiscal year budget and appointing a new EDC board member during their Sept. 8 meeting.
Tracy Locke, a retired accountant and new Bandera resident, was appointed to fill the EDC position vacated by local business owner Eric Cothran.
Locke recently moved to Bandera from a New England community governed by an independently chartered fire district, where she served as a moderator and deputy tax collector.
“I just want to bring some of my expertise down here,” Locke said. “I am very familiar with Robert’s Rules, how these meetings are run, and other situations.”
Locke said her financial background could be beneficial to the EDC's efforts.
“I really wanted to get involved on the financial end, because that is where my heart is,” she said. “I always like to see businesses and cities grow, and this is going to be my forever home now.”
The council also heard from Zane Jackson, organizer of the Cowboy Capital Classic Disc Golf Tournament held on Aug. 29. The EDC previously contributed $15,000 toward improvements at Bandera’s Disc Golf Course.
Jackson reported that 70 players participated in the event, out of a maximum capacity of 72 players. He added that the tournament provided more than $1,000 in amateur player pack value and approximately $900 in amateur payouts.
“We had players travel to Bandera from all over Texas, including Houston, Waco, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Kerrville, Killeen, Bastrop, Junction, Pleasanton, Fredericksburg, New Waverly and other communities,” Jackson said. “One of the things I was most proud of was the amount of local involvement we were able to generate. We had 11 local businesses partner with the tournament, and those businesses received promotion through the event, caddy book, signage around the course and multiple social media platforms.”
Jackson said survey respondents reported visiting numerous local businesses during their stay, including Bandera Brewery, Jimmy's Burgers, The Dough Joe, Snowflake Donuts, B-Daddy's BBQ, Trail Boss, OST, Mi Pueblo, China Bowl, Texas to Cali, Dairy Queen, Sonic, Lowe's Market, Five Points Market, several local gas stations, the Vaquero Motel and local Airbnb properties.
“I think that list is important because it shows the impact of the tournament wasn't concentrated in one place or one type of business,” Jackson said. “Players were spending money at restaurants, gas stations, lodging establishments, the brewery and other businesses throughout the community.”
In other business, council members requested that the city's Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) policy be placed on the Sept. 22 council agenda to ensure businesses are reimbursed in a timely manner. The current policy was revised during former Council Member Tony Battle's tenure on the council.
Council Member Debbie Breen also requested a future discussion regarding the use of HOT funds for branding opportunities, including signage at entrances to the city.
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