Joel,
If you don't have the time to drive, The Cascades is regarded as the best course in Tyler. It is private, and has hosted the Texas State Open for the last several years. I'm guessing many like it because there are a few views of Lake Bellwood on some of the holes, and thus it is "pretty". It does have some good holes, but it has a very unelegant routing (to borrow a phrase from a golfing partner of mine), and I wasn't that fond of it. That being said, it will certainly do in a pinch if you can't drive and can get on it.
Pine Dunes is vastly superior, and isn't that bad of a drive. That would definitely be my choice. I haven't played Texarkana CC, but have heard good things about it. Furthermore, Michael knows his stuff.