GreatHoles
No. 18
R
RIVER BEND CLUB
by DAVID PARTRIDGE
iver Bend Club in Great Falls will host the 2020 VSGA
Amateur Championship. One of the truly premier
private clubs in the northern Virginia/DC area, River
Bend is a superb design that will be a challenging test
for the finest amateur golfers in the state.
Opened originally in 1961, River Bend was masterfully reno-
vated in 2003 by renowned architect Keith Foster. Foster has also
updated such outstanding layouts as Baltimore Country Club,
Southern Hills Country Club, Philadelphia Cricket Club, The Old
White (Greenbrier) and Hermitage Country Club.
A par-71, immaculately groomed design that stretches to nearly
7,000 yards from the tips and playing to a demanding slope rating
of 142, River Bend weaves its way through mature, hardwood trees
and over the rolling hills of Northern Virginia. The beautiful land-
scape is punctuated with classic stone walls and bridges, which,
along with numerous water features, combine to create many
spectacular panoramas throughout the course.
One of the best designs at River Bend—and indeed one of the fin-
est finishing holes in the commonwealth—is the classic par-5, 18th.
While measuring a stout 544 yards from the championship tees,
the drive plays decidedly downhill so many of the longer hitters in
the Amateur will have the opportunity to go for this green in two.
They must, however, be accurate—as well as long—since strategi-
cally placed fairway bunkers and large trees, not to mention thick
rough, protect both sides of the landing area.
A poor drive presents major challenges on this hole since
the second shot must clear Clark’s Branch, a crossing creek
vsga.org
that traverses the full
breadth of the fair-
way. If the golfer can’t
clear the water, or
YARDAGES
worse yet, hits his ball
into the penalty area,
he or she is left with
Green
Black
a long, demanding
503 yards
544 yards
uphill approach to a
Red
Blue
narrow, well-protect-
442
yards
528
yards
ed green. Two well-
played shots should
White
set up a good birdie
509 yards
opportunity. Howev-
er, the sloping, ultra-
fast putting surface
requires a deft touch to get the ball close to the hole.
The defining feature of this design is a series of spring-fed,
cascading ponds that protect the left side of the hole as well as the
back of the green. These elements, together with stunning foliage
dotting this hole, unite to create not only great beauty, but also
a fitting climax to this outstanding course. River Bend will be a
splendid venue for the Amateur.
PAR 5
A five-time VSGA Player of the Year, David Partridge was recently
elected to the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame. David lives in the
Richmond area and works as mortgage banker.
J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R
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