Located at the Newcomerstown exit off I77, River Greens plays down along the Tuscarawas. At first sight, the cornfields and level terrain belie the quality of the course, but once one drops a couple balls onto the practice putting green will one realize that they've stumbled upon a hidden gem. The Poa annua green is smooth with a texture that is crisp. It’s a beautiful combination and one that takes an excellent superintendent to manage.
(The 176 yard par three fifth is a small target. With a false front and fall offs on all sides, a good short game will come in handy. The Texas wedge is probably the best club of choice.)
On terrain like this, the greens have to be well designed, and Kidwell did an excellent job here. First of all, they’re small. In fact they’re a lot smaller than anything I’ve seen of his. Many are crowned with false fronts and strong internal contouring. Mounding is the primary hazard to negotiate when hitting approach shots. There are bunkers but they are kept to a minimum. In my opinion, the mounds are tougher than the bunkers. Finding yourself in the thick rough on them presents a much more difficult shot.
(Check out the pin on the 504 yard par five twelfth. It’s just past the mound in a slight bowl that is part of a shallow swale that cuts across the green. Unless the ball is within five feet, most putts will double break. Being short and hitting a pitch or chip requires imagination and skill. Birdie is hard to come by.)
(The 490 yard par five eighth is one of the few holes with bunkers. The key is accessing the flat atop the ridge on the left in two shots. This leaves a simple chip into the green. From the lower fairway where this picture is taken, the flagstick is barely visible just past the bunkers. I like how anything that fails to carry to the top will kick right and find the thick rough.)
On the front nine, 4-7 play along the river and get the most attention. Anything right of the green on the fourth is wet. The green is literally just above the bank. The tee shot on six brings the water into play. It’s a short par four, but it’s a tight driving hole between an avenue of trees. The fifth and seventh are both par threes and the water is in play on the seventh too. With the name River Greens, one expected a stretch like this and the course delivers.
(The 402 yard fourth is the longest par four on the course. There is plenty of short grass left of the green for good reason. The water is just right of it. Par is a good score.)
(The 348 yard par four sixth features pinch point a couple hundred yards off the tee. The main concern is pulling your ball into the river. It does have a large green so laying back and hitting more club is an option.)
(The 170 yard par three seventh plays directly alongside the Tuscarawas. Note the tree stumps on the right. I can only imagine how narrow it was before.)
The back nine plays on flatter terrain than the front. This explains why the greens are more difficult to hit. They’re slightly elevated and it’s hard to see the putting surfaces. Several are mounded and angled from the line of play.
(The 385 yard par four eleventh has a mound fronting the green with a false flank shedding balls off to the right. The pin in picture is tucked beyond this feature. Such contouring shrinks the putting surface into smaller pinning positions.)
(The 537 yard par five eighteenth doglegs left past a large pond before finishing up at a crowned green. Even rear pins have fall offs protecting them.)
Most courses in this region of Ohio play up in the hills. River Greens defining attribute is the fact that it doesn’t. The views from the valley are just as compelling. It’s also a terrific example of how an architect can create an interesting course by manufacturing stimulating greens. The flatness of the course also allows beginners and high handicappers to enjoy it as well. Good players who are battling par will find birdies difficult to attain while lesser players should be able to easily secure bogeys with reasonable play.
(The 371 yard par four ninth has a false front that extends 10-12 feet into the green. Club selection is paramount to hold the rear of the green. Players who fail to do this will face a challenging pitch to the flag.)
(The 214 yard par three sixteenth is the longest club one will hit into a green. The water hazard is well short but will heavily influence your decision and confidence. The putting surface has the least amount of slope so a par can be had with a solid shot.)
River Greens has the luxury of having 27 holes. The club added a third nine in 1994 to go with Kidwell’s original design (1967). It’s in a convenient location being only a few miles off the freeway. I must also add that it’s very woman friendly too with good yardages and well positioned tee boxes.
(The clubhouse has a modest patio facing #1 and #10 tee and the practice putting green.)
Most of Jack Kidwell’s courses are off the beaten path. They’re low budget affairs laid out for a local family that loves golf. His work here really emphasizes his time as a golf course owner himself. The course is relatively benign off the tee with a strong set of greens to provide the interest. It’s definitely worth playing if you’re in the area. I give River Greens a 5 (good)(worth driving an hour to play).
