Course Review: RiverBend Golf Club, by Jeffrey Reed (September 2005)

Copyright 2005 London Ontario Golf

When you boast a homebuilding heritage like Sifton Properties, you might be tempted to develop a second-rate golf course to compliment your new residential community – RiverBend. Not Sifton. In fact, the RiverBend Golf Club is one of the finest golf courses in all of Canada, and reflects some of course architect Doug Carrick’s best work.

Now, I’m not exactly a snowbird (not yet, anyways), but RiverBend tops any golf community I’ve seen on Florida’s Gulf coast. Elegance, tranquility, and class describe both the collection of homes and the 18-hole championship golf course of RiverBend, resting in the shadows of London Hunt & Country Club in west London, but charting its own reputation for outstanding golf amenities.

Reflecting the style of Pinehurst No. 2, RiverBend GC opened in July 2002 and quickly won accolades from the golf community at large. Golf Digest considered the Carrick creation in its annual Best New Course rankings, and it’s no wonder: this track is a natural beauty, boasting wide rolling fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and gently undulating hollows surrounding the majority of greens, all highlighting 180 acres of pristine property.

In all, RiverBend is a one-of-a-kind community totaling more than 400 acres, including the beautiful 138-acre Kains Woods, and 100 acres of single-family homes and villas – attached one-floor dwellings. The best part is, as a resident of RiverBend, you can ride your very-own golf cart from your garage to the first tee. Now, that’s luxury! And with the price of gas, that’s cost-saving, not to mention convenient.

Head professional Matt Simmons and I played from the tips – 6,910 yards – but there are five sets of tees beginning with forward tees of 5,165 yards. Carrick, responsible for such gems as Angus Glen and Ballantrae, left his distinct mark at RiverBend. He has taken some spectacular land and with little disruption turned it into a memorable golf destination. In his own words, "Approach shots require a well-placed shot." He couldn’t be more correct. For those who might be tempted to knock the wide-open fairways at RiverBend, be reminded: a premium on choosing the correct landing areas from tee to green should not be underestimated. Call this course a gentle giant: play well and wise, or awaken the giant and put a monster number on the board.

Then, consider the greens of RiverBend: not for the faint of heart. They’re undulating, sloping and dangerous. And if that’s not enough, Carrick has created some optical illusions with his deft design. Yet, no matter what your score at RiverBend, you’ll want to race back to the first tee for another crack at this gentle giant. It’s an enjoyable place to play – and isn’t that what golf is all about?

RiverBend is also all about making good golf shots at each and every hole. Here are some of my favourites. Hole No. 1 presents trouble right off the elevated tee, with out-of-bounds left at this downhill 412-yard par-4. There’s a spectacular view of Kains Woods behind a very large undulating green. The 319-yard par-3 No. 3 features a false-fronted green which slopes both left and right, and is protected by front bunkers. The 429-yard par-4 No. 6 presents you with a quick, elevated green which tricks the eye – it slopes right to left, not left to right. You’ll welcome par-4 No. 7, a birdie hole measuring 419 yards and offering an elevated tee.

The back nine at RiverBend GC presents you with an equal number of par 3s, 4s and 5s. Many a round has been lost at the tough 13th hole, a 560-yard monster dogleg left that wraps itself around a long pond. You’ll need to contend with water on your tee shot and 2nd shot. No. 16 offers a gorgeous view of the course and the cityscape, and features an elevated green sloping away from the golfer – don’t be long on your approach shot. No. 17 was the first hole developed at RiverBend GC – it’s a 223-yard par-3 with pristine valley and mature woods. The 18th hole is a 410-yard par-4 playing uphill towards the clubhouse – a challenging hole with tough bunkers and plenty of rough bordering the short grass.

RiverBend’s beauty doesn’t end at the 18th. In fact, as soon as you enter this community past the gatehouse, you’ll admire the consistent streetscapes. Building homes since 1923, Sifton has cleverly named the RiverBend streets after notable golfers such as Sandy Somerville, Jack Nash, and Marlene Stewart Streit – hence Marlene Stewart Street. The golf course houses a top-notch practice facility, and a well-stocked, first-class 7,000-square-foot pro shop. A wonderful 28,000-square-foot stucco-finished clubhouse is linked by a covered walkway to the matching pro shop. Inside the clubhouse – the hub of the RiverBend community – you will find everything from locker rooms, a saltwater swimming pool, complete fitness facilities, a community library, and much more. Outside, the clubhouse patio offers a stunning view of the golf course. 

RiverBend GC is a private course resting within a gated community, but currently there are memberships available to non-residents. Those lucky enough to have the opportunity to play RiverBend GC will surely brag about the opportunity for years to come. 

RiverBend GC
London, Ont.
519-657-GOLF (4653)
www.riverbendgolf.com