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Brian Clark
Battle Creek
2018-04-30
$31 (cart included), played on Saturday, April 2018 at 8:00 AM
Got the first tee time at 8 AM on this cool (38 degrees), windy but sunny Saturday morning. Paid my $32 for 18/cart and in 2hrs 15 minutes I was off this rolling / hilly course and on my way back home.
Its now called the "Riverside Golf Club & Banquet Center" since going public around 2011, but still keeping its Country Club conditions very much alive. With its five (5) tee boxes you can pick anything between 6,596yd / 72.8 / 130 to 4,524yd / 66.3 / 114 on this Par 72, again, HILLY layout.
The Front 9 (3,361yd) starts out on the highest point that gives a great view of the front 9 and city down below. #1 @ 394yds & #2 @ 440yds are tough Par 4's to face this early in the round. Many switchbacks here but the tree-lined fairways keep stray shots to a minimum. #6 Par 3 at 228yds and traps on both sides will have being short looking good. The sand was very soft this morning and played out of very nicely as it was fluffed very well. The two Par 5's, #7 479yds and #9 492yds set up for birdies with the larger size greens if you can stay within the tree-lined fairways.
The Back 9 (3,235yd) is across the road and plays much tighter with a mix of hardwood/pine trees everywhere. There seemed to be more interesting 2nd shots to the elevation changes and swirling wind conditions than I had on the front 9. Enjoyed the tightness to the fairways off the tee's to the well cut grass length in the landing areas that made having a game plan.....a must. Standard 100 - 200yds blocks in the middle of fairways that could have had some of the many sprinkler heads marked also. Greens were in good condition (no fungus) considering the shading that's out here. Though rolling true, they were slow (7-8) as the dew played a big part of that. I fixed about 4-6 ball marks on each green which would be a downfall in the course starter reminding Golfers to ....Fix Your Ball Marks. Fixing four (4) ball marks BEFORE leaving the green comes from being a caddie for 4 years.
Shooting 40/40 w/ 34putts (Blues) had me looking forward to returning in summer conditions and giving it another try with those 2nd shot club selections.
Would travel: 30-60 Miles, Vacation Worthy
Bottom line: I would play again, Bargain priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Fair priced based on quality and competitive area pricing, Ranks with the best in this price level
Condition of Course, Price, Pace of Play, Difficulty, Staff, Layout, No Houses on Course
$31 (cart included), played on Saturday, April 2018 at 8:00 AM
Got the first tee time at 8 AM on this cool (38 degrees), windy but sunny Saturday morning. Paid my $32 for 18/cart and in 2hrs 15 minutes I was off this rolling / hilly course and on my way back home.
Its now called the "Riverside Golf Club & Banquet Center" since going public around 2011, but still keeping its Country Club conditions very much alive. With its five (5) tee boxes you can pick anything between 6,596yd / 72.8 / 130 to 4,524yd / 66.3 / 114 on this Par 72, again, HILLY layout.
The Front 9 (3,361yd) starts out on the highest point that gives a great view of the front 9 and city down below. #1 @ 394yds & #2 @ 440yds are tough Par 4's to face this early in the round. Many switchbacks here but the tree-lined fairways keep stray shots to a minimum. #6 Par 3 at 228yds and traps on both sides will have being short looking good. The sand was very soft this morning and played out of very nicely as it was fluffed very well. The two Par 5's, #7 479yds and #9 492yds set up for birdies with the larger size greens if you can stay within the tree-lined fairways.
The Back 9 (3,235yd) is across the road and plays much tighter with a mix of hardwood/pine trees everywhere. There seemed to be more interesting 2nd shots to the elevation changes and swirling wind conditions than I had on the front 9. Enjoyed the tightness to the fairways off the tee's to the well cut grass length in the landing areas that made having a game plan.....a must. Standard 100 - 200yds blocks in the middle of fairways that could have had some of the many sprinkler heads marked also. Greens were in good condition (no fungus) considering the shading that's out here. Though rolling true, they were slow (7-8) as the dew played a big part of that. I fixed about 4-6 ball marks on each green which would be a downfall in the course starter reminding Golfers to ....Fix Your Ball Marks. Fixing four (4) ball marks BEFORE leaving the green comes from being a caddie for 4 years.
Shooting 40/40 w/ 34putts (Blues) had me looking forward to returning in summer conditions and giving it another try with those 2nd shot club selections.