I had the great fortune to visit Rivermont County Club last week as the guest of a very generous GCAer. What a wonderful golf course! It is pure fun and shows just what a local private club could be and should be. The bunkering is simple and strategic -- imparting 1/2 shot penalties if found. The greens are varied in shape and size -- the one constant is that every single green is fun. Some have wild internal contours, some rely on tilt, many are angled, and nearly all encourage a running approach.
Some have said that Rivermont is a great local, private club, but not a top-100 type course. Honestly, I say, 'why not'? Every single shot is compelling and thought-provoking. Even after several inches of rain a few days earlier, and sub-freezing temperatures the past few nights, the golf course was in near-perfect condition, allowing for running shots -- the maintenance meld was a perfect fit for the architecture. Aside from Peachtree, I've now played all 'top-100 contenders' in the Atlanta area, and without a second thought I'd return to Rivermont over any of them. So, to those who disagree, why isn't Rivermont a top-100 course? (and I'll spot you the fact that it is a very difficult walk).
It's not surprising that a club owned by a GCAer has attracted so many GCAers as members. Golden Age strategic design is alive and well at Rivermont.
I'm going to post my photo tour 3 holes at a time. Photos will be from the one off the back, white tees (about 6,500 yards). The tips can now stretch to near 7,200 yards.
The opening par-4 is demanding from any set of tees, but is a monster from the back tees (pictured below). From the tee it is clear that this green is best approached from the left, but a stream running down that side of the fairway, combined with the fairway's leftward tilt, make it difficult to play for anywhere but the right side.
Front pins, as pictured, can be approached from anywhere, but accessing the right side of the green is a difficult task.
The second is a 530 yard par-5. Is that some reverse-cambre? Why, yes it is! Golfers are asked to play down the left side of the fairway or risk bounding through the fairway on the right. A 3-wood from the tee, especially for those unable to get home in two, is probably the way to play this hole.
The right side of the lay-up area is guarded by a bunker that protects the ideal line into the green. Approaches from the left will be blind, blocked-out by bunkers/mounding.
The mound on the left is a very cool feature as it lays 40 yards short of the green. Golfers familiar with the course can use its contours to kick balls onto the green.
The contours on the 2nd green are amazing. Depending on the pin and the shot played, the contours can either be used to funnel balls toward the pin, or you will be stuck, frustratingly watching the contours take the ball farther and farther away from the pin.
The 3rd is a mid-length par-4 that, like the 1st and 2nd holes, uses the tilt of the land to add to its strategic interest. Golfers will want to play to the high side of the fairway to leave a preferred angle into an angled green.
A perfectly played tee shot leaves a simple approach to an open green front.
As seen from the 4th tee, the contours on the 3rd green are subtler than on the first two greens. The green tilts generally from back-to-front, but a devilish knob on the front left corner and a shelf back-left can make for some difficult recovery shots.
