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River Ridge Golf Club History

Club History

River Ridge is the course that former PGA Professional Jay Riviere dreamed of designing since 1972, when Jack Josey first showed Riviere his ranch on the Brazos River. Josey had a vision of building a golf course on his ranch to compliment the adjacent subdivision he was developing at that time called "Brazos Country". Riviere was instantly captivated by the land and shared Josey's vision. Although nothing materialized at that time, Riviere kept that dream alive through the turbulent 80's as golf and all Houston business was turned on its ear. Riviere was patient and persevered, never losing his passion to design and construct his greatest work ever.in the spring of 1997, Riviere inquired of Cuenod's interest in developing a new golf course "on the most scenic, hardwood-forested land within 150 miles of Houston."

Riviere met Ronny Cuenod early in 1995 while the two were working with Bernie Riviere, Jay's brother, and the late Dave Marr, on golf course acquisitions. Two years later, in the spring of 1997, Riviere inquired of Cuenod's interest in developing a new golf course "on the most scenic, hardwood-forested land within 150 miles of Houston." Cuenod had foresworn any new golf developments back in 1995, but was sufficiently enticed by Riviere's description of the land to visit the site with partner, Jeff Rawson. The awesome beauty of the scenic pastures, old growth pecan stands, and the mighty Brazos River struck Cuenod and Rawson instantly. Rawson and Cuenod invited George Bishop, a long time associate of Rawson's, to view the tract as well. After only two visits, the trio was convinced of the property's potential for a championship, Old World golf venue.

After extensive demographic evaluation and feasibility analysis, the land was purchased in September 1997. Engineering and construction commenced the next month and by the following May, grass planting was begun. Although the drought of 1998 sped course construction, it hampered the "grow-in" of tees, greens and fairways. Mother Nature, however, always compensates, and this time via El Nino. Just two weeks prior to the scheduled opening of the course, River Ridge was hit with 20 inches of rain in a span of only 24 hours.

The course drainage systems handled that record event quickly and well. Since the storm originated in far northwest Texas, the nexus of the Brazos River Basin, a day after the local rainfall, the mighty Brazos breached her banks and proceeded to cover almost 25% of the course. After one week, the waters receded, leaving minimal damage to the facility except for the Ridge course, delaying its opening by ten months. In early November, that little Spanish boy hit again, causing the Brazos to flood once more, but not as severely this time. Chastened, yet undaunted, the partners and staff re-doubled their efforts and opened the first 18 holes (River and Parkland courses) on December 11, 1998.

Having learned from the experience of the floods, we reconstructed the river's banks and performed other remedial work that promises to protect River Ridge from similar weather. Unless, Noah comes back!

The clubhouse and Pavilion, reminiscent of the Frank Lloyd Wright genre, opened in February and May 1998, respectively. A truly Texas-sized barbecue pit, weighing almost 15,000 pounds and constructed by Bishop's son-law, Paul Culliver, was installed in the Pavilion in June 1999 and capable of cooking a small herd or large flock of any four or two-legged creature.

Although just only a year old, River Ridge was honored with a "Four Star" Rating from the Houston Chronicle (January 1999); a Top 3 winner for "Best New Public Courses" and "Best Public Courses", #2 - "Favorite Public Courses", "Top 12 Courses in Texas" and #1 - "Best Public Course Value" in the Chronicle 2000 Golf Survey (March 2000). Additionally, River Ridge was the only daily fee course in Texas noted in Dan Jenkin's article, "Best Modern 18 Holes" Golf Digest (February/March 2000). River Ridge continues to be honored by it's patrons, each day, by spreading the word of it's natural beauty!

Come to the River™ Until you've seen this place, you'll never believe that you can experience our Old World charm so easily.