RiverWatch

[Eric Smith]

RiverWatch is an 18 hole public course in Smithville, TN, perched atop the hills above Center Hill Lake.  The course opened its first 9 holes in 2000, as a Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy design.  Something happened and they pulled out of  the project, with the owners looking to Nashville based GCA and fellow treehouse member Jerry Lemons to complete the golf course.
 
It's 30 minutes from my house so I've played the golf course fairly frequently since moving here 4 years ago.  There's a lot to like about it, a little not to like about it but all in all, at $30 for a cart w/GPS you're getting huge bang for your buck here.  Their season's just getting cranked up so you'll notice the greens have been punched and sanded recently.  The zoysia fairways are consistent throughout the golf course and do make for a good lie nearly 100% of the time.
 
Tee shot at 1 (Par 5)

 
Second shot at 1

 

 

 

 
2 (Par 4)  stay left of the little center line bunker

 
Second at 2

 

 

 

 

 

 
3

 

 

 
4 (Par 5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
5 (Par 4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
6 (288 yd Par 4)

 

 

 

 

 

 
7 (Par 3)

 
Long cart ride from 7 to 8

 
8 (Par 4)

 

 
9 (Par 4)

 

 

 

 
 
That's the front nine at RiverWatch. ...the back nine soon.
 
Eric

[Jerry Lemons]

Eric thanks for posting the pictures. We completed the front nine (originally the back nine) of Riverwatch after Jacobsen and Hardy left the project. The Owner had some conflicts that I never ask about but from what I understand it was cost containment.

The course is a nice treat for Middle Tennessee on a difficult site. Although some of the golf hole envelopes are not as wide as some newer courses, it is still very payable and a great challenge. The short 6th is a fun short par 4 that can be reached and 7 is a fun drop hole with the lake on the left.
 

[Doug Ralston]

Eric;

I am still waiting for your pix from the second nine at Riverwatch. And, as the only person I know who played both, how would you compare RW to Dale Hollow?

Doug

[Doug Ralston]

Bumped in hope Eric will see and respond.

Doug

[Mike Nuzzo]

Jerry,
Were the pictures posted above your work or JH's?
Was it an inherited routing?
Did you change it if so?
Cheers

[Dan Herrmann]

Speaking of Peter's couses - does anybody know how Oregon Golf Club is doing?

[Jason Thurman]

I haven't played Riverwatch, but have heard some good things and recently discussed it with a friend. Has anyone else played it? Any thoughts on it? How big a drive would you take to see it?

[Jerry Lemons]

Jerry,
Were the pictures posted above your work or JH's?
Was it an inherited routing?
Did you change it if so?
Cheers

Yes those are the pictures of the front nine which originally was designed as the  back. I made routing changes on 16-18.

[Derek Dirksen]

The course fits in real nice with its surroundings.  Nice work.  Looks like a bit of elavation on the site.