www.riverviewgolfing.com

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Course Profile Built along the Welland River and a tributary creek and centrally located mid-Niagara, the Riverview GC is a popular public / tournament course. Without a membership roster, tee times are readily available and "walk-ons" seldom have to wait very long to enjoy an impromptu round of golf. Riverview is unique in that its front and back nines present distinct designs - the front nine being open and flat, the back nine (river course) rolling and wooded. Both nines have a number of ponds, fairway and greenside bunkers, but fairways are fairly generous, and the rough is sparse. Riverview's receptive greens are on the small side, putt true, although a bit on the slow end of the scale.

The lasting impressions of Riverview will be of the back nine holes built on the river / creek, especially holes # 12 and 17. For the most part, the course is long and demanding off the tee, with # 3, 8 and 10 (par-4s) and the par-3 11th really stretching one's game.

Riverview is a fair test for most recreational golfers, offering multiple tee boxes and playing up to 6680 yards from the tips. The front nine, with three par-5s is long (3615 yards), while the back nine plays much shorter - just 3065 yards. The course is divided by Regional Road # 24, effectively distinguishing the two contrasting layouts, both of which offer a number of challenging holes and shots. Practice facilities at Riverview GC include a putting green and chipping area.

 

Course Review
Riverview GC has long been a favourite among Niagara courses and its riverside setting makes it unique among area courses. The contrasting designs of the front and back nines provide a varied and challenging golf experience. A very playable course for mid-to-high handicappers and a course where big hitters can "go low", Riverview offers an enjoyable recreational golf or tournament experience.	website
The course is always kept in good shape and features generous fairways, sparse rough and numerous bunkers. Riverview greens are on the small side for the most part, "hold" approach shots well and putt true, although a bit slow. The numerous trees, ponds and bunkers put a premium on a good tee game. Oftentimes, that means laying up or going for broke and being fairly penalized for an error in judgement or a poor swing.

The long, flat and relatively open front nine at Riverview GC tests golfers from the start with two par-5's and the 425-yard par-4 3rd hole. The par-5 1st hole can be reached in two, but the approach shot must carry a pond fronting the green. After a routine par-3 4th, the course stretches out again the rest of the way. Only the short par-4 7th (drive and wedge) offers a potential birdie. The secret to making pars on the front nine is keeping the ball in the fairway. Signature holes are the par-4 5th (dogleg left) and the par-3, 190-yard 9th - where everything rolls right, toward a large pond.

Riverview's back nine is considerably shorter and less demanding, both off the tee and on approach shots. The par-4 10th requires a long, arrow-straight drive, while the par-3 11th is one of the toughest in Niagara - elevated tee, across a ravine, small elevated green, 200-plus yards, OB right, bunkers short, and a wasteland in between. The view from the 12th tee over the landing area below is amazing (and a bit unnerving with the river meandering everywhere). The finishing holes along the Welland River are very scenic and heavily treed and will require strategic golf. The par-4 17th is a temptress with lots of room to go long off the tee, but there is very little room for error going into the small, well-guarded green. With trouble all-round, a high, accurate, short-iron approach might produce a birdie. The finishing hole is a short, uphill, dog-leg right that big-hitters, even slicers can reach off the tee, although there is trouble to the far right. A better approach is to lay up a bit and go at the pin with a wedge. Perhaps the easiest hole on the course and a birdie opportunity for sure.