TPC River's Bend (Greater Cincinnati, 2001 Palmer design)

[Jason Thurman]

Has anybody played it? I just registered for a tournament there next week. It'll be my first visit.


I'll happily listen to anyone with advice or opinions on the course. I don't think I could've stuck a pushpin on a map to within 10 miles of it this morning. But after a few minutes looking at satellite images today, it looks... okay! Gotta be one of the two best Palmer designs on the northeast side of the city.

[David Whitmer]

I’ve played it many times, most recently about two months ago. It’s a beautiful piece of property; it’s a shame houses had to go up all around the golf course, but I certainly understand that’s sometimes a necessity.


The fairways are very wide. The greens have modest movement, but are not overly undulating. If your iron play is satisfactory, you can shoot a good score. It seems to me the course is usually a little soft, but I’ve never played it in October, when most courses in the area are dry and firm.


A few points of advice: on the 8th tee, don’t be tempted to aim too far left. Serious trouble left of the fairway. On the 9th tee, there’s more room over the right fairway bunker than you think. Take one more club into the 9th green. Similarly, take an extra club into the 14th green. Stay left-center off the 17th tee.

[JLahrman]

Jason you couldn't put a pushpin on Kings Island??? I'd call you a cosmopolitan elite, except that despite growing up in Loveland I've never played it. I forget what year it opened, maybe around 1995-2000? I've heard it's pretty decent and David seems to like it. Let me know what you think.

[Jason Thurman]

Joel, I honestly assumed that it was probably closer to Coney Island. The whole Riverbend/River's Bend thing...


I'll share some thoughts after I play. The tournament is using the Golf Genius live smartphone scorecard, so I may have a handy opportunity to snag a photo or two after typing in scores. I've never played an event where I can check a live scoreboard at any time, and I'm in the second-to-last group so down the stretch I'll have a reasonable chance to know where I stand. I guess we'll find out whether I'm a scoreboard-watcher or not.


I do think Palmer courses get unfairly criticized sometimes. I've enjoyed the handful I've played, and find that there tends to be a decent blend of penal and strategic elements that's worth giving some credit for. Talking with another GCAer offline a few days ago, it sounds like the idea of "bunkers in a fairway landing area generally protect Position A on most shots, so challenge them when manageable" is probably a decent rule of thumb for a first-time player out there to keep in mind.


David, thanks for those pointers. That's exactly what I'm looking for and I've noted your advice!

[JLahrman]

Well Coney Island is a fair guess with the name. And I'm so smart I missed that you put the year it opened in the thread title!

[Steve Lang]

   Real Questions are: whether you'll seek out a couple of Coneys and a 4-way with onions at Skyline Chili???  and take a York mint to go or head to Greaters...  or be seduced to dine at the Original Montgomery Inn or the Boathouse on the River?

[David Whitmer]

A few more pieces of advice: some greens are sloped pretty good from back-to-front, where you don’t want to be above the hole. Hole #4, #7, and #14 come to mind. And if the flag on #8 is on the bottom-right, don’t be on the top-left portion. Guaranteed three putt awaits.


Will I get a shout out when you make your victory speech? 😁

[Jeff Shelman]

Thurman,

I love that you live in Northside and haven't played it, but I live in Minneapolis and have played it twice.

It is a fine golf course. There are some good holes and a few places that will make you scratch your head.
It is not bad at all, but it also isn't the most memorable place you will play. It is a housing course, but I don't believe that there are any holes where there are houses on both sides.

I haven't been there for several years, but I think you'll have a decent time.

[Jason Thurman]

Well, I still haven't played it. Our tournament got rained out. No reschedule date in 2020. I'm optimistic that I might get a chance to tackle it before the end of the year though.

Jeff, your post got me self-reflecting and counting... I've lived in Cincinnati for 9 years, and I've only played 10 courses in Ohio outside of Hamilton County. Maybe 11... I honestly don't know what county Heritage Club is in off the top of my head, but I can narrow it down to three options without even looking at a map. Of those 10 or 11, two are NLE already. I need to get out more...

[David Whitmer]

Jeff, your post got me self-reflecting and counting... I've lived in Cincinnati for 9 years, and I've only played 10 courses in Ohio outside of Hamilton County. Maybe 11... I honestly don't know what county Heritage Club is in off the top of my head, but I can narrow it down to three options without even looking at a map. Of those 10 or 11, two are NLE already. I need to get out more...

Jason, Heritage Club is in Warren County, literally on the border of Butler County. I worked at Heritage Club for 7 years, and obviously know that golf course like the back of my hand. PB Dye design; very difficult. Big houses border the course, but are far enough away that they don’t affect playability. I have a lot of loyalty and a soft spot for that club.