The Player’s Digest: Rivers Edge Golf Club

PlayGolfMyrtleBeach.com’s David Williams talks us through a dynamic aerial journey of the North Strand’s Arnold Palmer masterpiece at Rivers Edge Golf Club. David offers his insights on several of the design’s most renowned holes, and the approach you’ll want to take while playing them. Enjoy the ride!

 

 

What makes each golf course so unique is the way the architect blends its golf holes with the natural surroundings. Crafted by Arnold Palmer, Rivers Edge Golf Club combines nature and golf into one unforgettable golf experience.

Opening in 1999, Rivers Edge treats golfers to the many views of the Shallotte River which frame the closing holes on both the front and back nines. With reachable par fives, scenic par-threes and gettable par-fours, the front nine eases you into your round – until you step to the 9th tee.

Better known as “Arnie’s Revenge” this par five presents a larger-than-life task. The first step? Find the fairway. Tee shots right will find the trees, while tee shots left will find the tidal waters of the river. The smart second shot would be a layup that splits the greenside and fairway bunkers. This will leave a flip wedge into this finger-shaped green that stretches into the marshland.

The back nine presents its own unique challenge, taking you away from the clubhouse, over the Copas Lake, and back toward the river. You get your first look at the Copas Lake on the par-five 11th. A waste bunker down the left side runs into the lake and forces your tee shot out to the right. With water up the left side, your second shot (like the tee shot) will need to be on the right side of the fairway. A strategically placed bunker sits 60 yards away from this protected green. Choose wisely!

You are re-introduced to the river on holes 15 through 18. A hole that can make or break your round is the split fairway, par-five 17th. Playing at only 490 yards, golfers can find this green in two if their tee shot allows. If you choose to layup, place your second shot in the upper fairway for the best angle.

Playing along the marshland, the par-four 18th hole allows you to cut off as much you want. Your second shot should be no more than a mid to short iron in. This green opens itself up to the second shot, so be aggressive.

After your round, it is easy to see why so many tee it up here on their Myrtle Beach golf trip. Rivers Edge is truly unforgettable.