New Greens Have Rivers Edge at Top of Many Must-Play Lists

February 17, 2016

The new greens at Rivers Edge are spectacularRivers Edge installed new Sunday Ultradwarf Bermuda grass greens last summer, replacing the Paspalum that hadn’t proven to be a good fit for the Brunswick County, N.C. course. The layout reopened on August 28 and after hearing good reviews, I made the trek to Rivers Edge to experience the new greens first hand in the Fall of 2015. 

The early buzz has proven correct, as the results have exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. The new greens offer great pace and a smooth roll, providing the missing piece at a layout that should be on your must-play list. 

“The greens allow the experience to meet the expectations,” Rivers Edge head pro Jeff Pianelli said. “The reaction has been awesome. It’s a great improvement.”

[Check Out The Ultimate Rivers Edge Golf Package]

There isn’t much else left to improve on, because Rivers Edge has everything you would want in a golf course. With seven holes that play along the Shallotte River, the visuals are stunning, and from a design perspective, the in-land holes are at least as good. 

Palmer maximized a beautiful piece of property, creating a course that has been among the area’s most talked about since its 1999 opening. While all the holes along the river are memorable, the par 5 ninth stands out. The marshy waters of the Shallotte River run from the tee to a peninsula green that is pencil thin. 

At the course’s grand opening, Palmer’s second shot famously hit the green and bounced into the river. When the assembled crowd groaned, Arnie told them not to despair because he was going to take a drop on the fringe and have a chip for birdie!

But Palmer had the strength hit the ball over the green, setting up the short chip. If you come up short, your drop is on the other side of the marsh and a big number almost surely awaits. 

The final four holes play along the river as well, guaranteeing a dramatic conclusion at a layout Golf Digest has ranked among “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” 

In addition to installing new greens, the Rivers Edge staff used the summer months to remove trees, renovate bunkers, and improve drainage areas, improving the course in ways both large and small. 

The Verdict: I was thrilled with the new greens and you will be too. Rivers Edge is a course you will not forget, and it should be on the radar as you plan your next Myrtle Beach golf trip. One other word of advice: don’t let Rivers Edge’s location on the northern end of the Grand Strand discourage you. Yes, the course is 20 minutes north of Little River but it is well worth the drive. 

Right now you can play Rivers Edge for just $68 this spring