Riviera Country Club is the type of course golf needs more of. No, we aren’t talking about the Riviera in Los Angeles that annually hosts a PGA Tour event.
Our Riviera Country Club, known affectionately as the “Riv,” is a family-owned layout that delivers the best of what the game has to offer.
“Riviera CC in Ormond Beach is the shiniest hidden gem I’ve yet encountered in Florida,” Tim Gavrich, of GolfPass wrote. “If every county had a course/facility like this, there would be 30+ million golfers - easily - in the US. You can’t help but be madly in love with the game at a place like the (people’s) Riv.”
High praise from one of golf’s most respected voices, but The Riv lives up to the hype.
As you look forward to your next Daytona Beach golf trip, here are five things you need to know about Riviera.
Where Eagles Soar
The course isn’t long, playing just over 6,000 yards from the blue tees, but it doesn’t play as short as it sounds, with the exception of the 421-yard, par 5 first hole. That’s right, a 421-yard par 5 to open the round. There are three par 4s on the back nine over 400 yards, so you better take advantage of the golden opportunity to begin play. This is your best chance to make birdie and dare I say it, possibly an eagle.
Old School in All the Best Ways
In a day and age where nearly every transaction is digital, the Riv is about personal interaction. You call to book a tee time or just show up and see when they can get you in. There is a charming vibe that surrounds the entire property and the course’s old-school ethos is a big part of its appeal.
Walk in the Footsteps of Tour Winners
A member of the Historic Florida Golf Trail, the course is home to America’s longest-running mini-tour event, the Riviera Open, a tournament that counts former PGA Tour winners Morris Hatalsky, Bert Yancey and Billy Hurley among its previous champions. Current PGA Tour player Matt Every is a three-time runner-up. The longevity of the event is a testament to the quality of the Riv.
Go Low … Early
Riviera is a player-friendly layout that offers the chance to post a good score, especially on the front nine, which is nearly 200 yards shorter than the back. Some of that difference is accounted for by the aforementioned opening hole, but the 306-yard No. 3 offers another opportunity for birdie. The pro tip is simple: make hay early!
Experience at the Riv Doesn’t End With The Final Putt
Enjoy lunch or a drink in Riviera’s clubhouse after your round. It’s not opulent but the small, character-filled bar is the ideal place to relive your day. In short, the clubhouse is the perfect complement to your day on the course.
Well, have you started packing your bags yet? With this fabulous line-up of festivals, you won’t want to wait to plan your trip. Start planning your fall golf getaway today!
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