Only one in a party of four was bested by the water hazard. This is a beautiful day for playing the nine-hole course at Butler Park. We could hear music from Paggi House and see people walking by on three sides of the course. No balls in the creek and none in the roadway. This time. Even though there are no longer honeybees, which means there’s no longer Butler-local honey for sale, this park is still one of the greatest things about Austin. I love the rules, which include “5. Ball in water on No. 7. Add stroke and play another ball from pond area.” Old folks, young folks, people on dates, entire family groups, and even people with their own complete sets of expensive clubs were out today ambling under the tall pecans and enjoying the color from the best oleander hedges in town. This is outdoor fun at a bargain. Bottled water and soft drinks are available, along with some of the cleanest restrooms in town and great close-up views of the trains passing by on the east side of the course.