Riverton CC - South Jersey

[jibbs1082]

Just curious if anyone has feedback on Riverton CC? I know they went through a multi-year Ross restore in 2017.  Kinda forgot about it, and was at Pinehurst recently and realized I love a lot of what Ross did there with the bunkering and complexes which I think Riverton was trying to go back to.

 

No one ever talks about Riverton in the area... wondering what thoughts on the restoration are, and how the club is now?

 

 

[Benzo]

I might be in the minority but i think riverton is super boring and very easy

[C-Law]

A few years ago, totally agree boring & easy.  (that also feels relative to an occasional round there in a golf course rich area, rather than if it feels boring & easy on an ongoing basis for members)  

 

Couple changes in the last couple years address both of those things. 

 

First, the course restoration is turning the course from boring, tree lined, parkland, into a unique golf course.  Tons of tree removal, all bunkers being re-done, some green surrounds changing from typical rough to closely mown fairway areas.  Currently, 11 of 18 holes are done, and the final 7 left to go are some of the most significant changes.  New back tees being added to a number of holes.  Course will still "appear" short on the scorecard, but it will be a mix of wedge/short par 4s with then some brutal long par 4s.  Personal preference is much rather have a 6,750 yard walkable, classic, course with every tee right off the previous green, than a 7k+ yard cart riders course.

 

Second thing, entering the 3rd year of a new superintendent who is really changing the look/feel/play of the course for the better, and those changes are really only beginning to shine through now.  Fairways & greens firm/fast, and really growing the rough out - which makes a sub-7K yard course play as hard as anything.   

 

Place is totally under the radar for proximity to center city.  I used to be at a club in the PA NW suburbs and found it very tough, even on weekends, to deal with 76 traffic from the city & back.  From center city, I was 15-18 mins to Riverton on weekend mornings, then 20-25 heading home mid day.    

 

Memberships for age groups below full golf are about to be capped (city crowd is catching on + some COVID influx) but with the restoration, improved conditions, and potential plans to address/improve facilities (pro shop / locker rooms /  simulator), the place is going from good to great in the near term.  

Edited March 30, 2021 by C-Law

[jibbs1082]

On 3/30/2021 at 2:28 PM, C-Law said:

A few years ago, totally agree boring & easy.  (that also feels relative to an occasional round there in a golf course rich area, rather than if it feels boring & easy on an ongoing basis for members)  

 

Couple changes in the last couple years address both of those things. 

 

First, the course restoration is turning the course from boring, tree lined, parkland, into a unique golf course.  Tons of tree removal, all bunkers being re-done, some green surrounds changing from typical rough to closely mown fairway areas.  Currently, 11 of 18 holes are done, and the final 7 left to go are some of the most significant changes.  New back tees being added to a number of holes.  Course will still "appear" short on the scorecard, but it will be a mix of wedge/short par 4s with then some brutal long par 4s.  Personal preference is much rather have a 6,750 yard walkable, classic, course with every tee right off the previous green, than a 7k+ yard cart riders course.

 

Second thing, entering the 3rd year of a new superintendent who is really changing the look/feel/play of the course for the better, and those changes are really only beginning to shine through now.  Fairways & greens firm/fast, and really growing the rough out - which makes a sub-7K yard course play as hard as anything.   

 

Place is totally under the radar for proximity to center city.  I used to be at a club in the PA NW suburbs and found it very tough, even on weekends, to deal with 76 traffic from the city & back.  From center city, I was 15-18 mins to Riverton on weekend mornings, then 20-25 heading home mid day.    

 

Memberships for age groups below full golf are about to be capped (city crowd is catching on + some COVID influx) but with the restoration, improved conditions, and potential plans to address/improve facilities (pro shop / locker rooms /  simulator), the place is going from good to great in the near term.  

 

I agree. As much as I love beverages and carts.... I have grown to respect huffing the sunday bag around either crack of dawn, or golden hour. Let's be serious, the best golf is walking with caddies.

 

[jibbs1082]

Looks like RCC picked up some accolades for their Ross restore (half complete in 2021, and the rest this year). Anyone played recently? How's the course look and feel?

 

https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/articles/22-notable-golf-course-renovations-to-be-unveiled-in-2022

 

[C-Law]

On 1/11/2022 at 9:40 PM, jibbs1082 said:

Looks like RCC picked up some accolades for their Ross restore (half complete in 2021, and the rest this year). Anyone played recently? How's the course look and feel?

 

https://www.golfpass.com/travel-advisor/articles/22-notable-golf-course-renovations-to-be-unveiled-in-2022

 

 

This youtube link is a course tour from when 10 of the holes had been worked on (1/3/5/6/7/11/15/16/17/18).  Easiest to notice the difference in bunkering between restored vs non-restored holes (like the fairway bunkering on #3 & #7).  Significant tree removal across all holes including the previously restored has taken place since this video.  For example, all the trees up the left side & behind the green on 8 are gone, most trees left side of 3 are gone, trees to the right of 1 green are gone.  

 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-R-ki9IatvsoCB5LrxoRJBPpJpv62bHg

 

The remaining holes are done / being done this winter, those holes are some of the most significant changes including new back tees.  Good motivation to head over and snap some pics of those.  Will share here.  

Edited January 18, 2022 by C-Law

[ephmen]

Used to belong there. Nice track, always great conditioning. No major wow factor but really nice place.  Great proximity to Center City. Left for Philly Cricket, but really enjoyed Riverton.