Posted: 5-13-2020
By: CenCalGolfer33

Course is in really good shape. I believe they opened back up last week. Greens were in the best shape I’ve seen them. Even better than when they host the Fres... Continue »

Posted: 5-13-2020
By: CenCalGolfer33

Course is in really good shape. I believe they opened back up last week. Greens were in the best shape I’ve seen them. Even better than when they host the Fresno Am Tournaments. But still people aren’t fixing ball marks. POP was and is always the issue out here. Teeing off early helps but a 8:25 tee time didn’t make things better. Overall, course is in really good shape and had some roll to the fairways even though it was fairly damp on the fairways. Bunkers had adequate sand in nearly all of them and I was in a bunch.

I rarely play Riverside, mainly because it gets super crowded and two because you get punished for being in the fairway. Several of the fairways are a cross between a downhill mogul ski slope and a ... Continue »

I rarely play Riverside, mainly because it gets super crowded and two because you get punished for being in the fairway. Several of the fairways are a cross between a downhill mogul ski slope and a supercross track! Not sure what the thought process is behind punishing a player for being in the fairway, but it's not my cup of tea. Having said that, the course is in very nice shape for the most part. Holes 1-12 are in great shape tee to green. Greens were rolling on the slow side but were very smooth. Fairways and tee boxes are very lush throughout.

Only one tee box was divot ridden. All others were good to go. There were a few areas on holes 13-15 that were thin and brown on the fairways and the green on #14 was riddled with pitch marks. Not sure what happened there but all others were excellent. A couple of the greens on the back nine are tiny. As in living room throw rug tiny. Seriously, they were about half the size of my backyard putting green.

Customer service: Check in at the pro shop was average. I walked on as a single and he wasn't all that accommodating. just said he'll get me out in about 15 minutes or so. Never said anything else until I heard my name called out with another group for next up on the tee box.

However, the marshal was absolutely excellent. I dropped my phone on one of the fairways and the marshal was very friendly and super accommodating in giving me a ride back to look for it. He then offered to give me a ride back to catch up with my group or let me settle in behind a twosome to continue where I left off.

Prices are very reasonable at Riverside ($26 to walk prime time) and with the nice conditions right now, I can see why the place gets so packed. Layout of the track is average. One lake that comes into play on 2 holes (3 if you muff a drive real bad on #17). Most of the course is flat with only a couple of holes having elevation changes. There is a train track that runs directly next to a few of the holes so you do have to deal with a number of trains going by as you play.


Given the price and conditions at Riverside it's a solid option when in the valley or traveling through on Highway 99.

Just a quick update for Riverside. Played yesterday, 3-24-19, tee time was 7:00, second off. Course is in decent shape. Greens were rolling decent, still had the morning dew on them. But the fairways ... Continue »

Just a quick update for Riverside. Played yesterday, 3-24-19, tee time was 7:00, second off. Course is in decent shape. Greens were rolling decent, still had the morning dew on them. But the fairways in spots were tough, not sure if they had a tournament the day before but there was a TON of divots that weren't covered up with sand. I know the big City Am tournament is coming up and the rough is starting to grow in thick in many spots. But overall, typical expectations of Riverside. They get a ton of play, especially on the weekends. If you don't want to fight the crowds and this is the only option, get out there before 8am. Tiny greens, so make sure your wedge game around the greens is up to par!

Winter update

Course is dormant except tees and greens. Tees are good. Greens are firm and quick but have definite areas with issues patchy marked bumpy (the small greens just never get any rest)

Winter update

Course is dormant except tees and greens. Tees are good. Greens are firm and quick but have definite areas with issues patchy marked bumpy (the small greens just never get any rest)

Played on 4-14-17

Course architecture fans rejoice! Fresno has a Billy Bell design that will delight. Those that know the Bells (William P. and William F.) know that their work is prolific and list... Continue »

Played on 4-14-17

Course architecture fans rejoice! Fresno has a Billy Bell design that will delight. Those that know the Bells (William P. and William F.) know that their work is prolific and lists some of the best courses in California. For those that don't, I encourage an internet search on the two of them. Unlike many modern architects whom simply seek to punish and mistakenly equate hard with good, the brilliance in Bell's designs is in the playability for all levels, while still presenting a challenge for better players with angles/small greens/bunkering.

Overall - spring conditions are currently very good. Greens are smooth and firm running at medium speed with only a few areas of ball mark damage (the kind where many people hit that area and either do not fix or fix poorly) Tees, fairways and rough are all lush. Bunkers have consistent conditions.

Pace - the habit of overbooking and squeezing in walk-ups has resulted in consistent backups and even with a morning tee time we were 25 minutes behind schedule to even begin our round. Finished in 5 hours.

I was planning to play Rancho Del Rey for my second round yesterday, but I finished too early up in Manteca and there was still a morning tournament going on there. Riverside was my next option, so I ... Continue »

I was planning to play Rancho Del Rey for my second round yesterday, but I finished too early up in Manteca and there was still a morning tournament going on there. Riverside was my next option, so I called ahead. They told me to come on out any time after 10:00 and it should be pretty easy to get on. I still expected it to be crowded on a Saturday, but this place was packed to the brim. When I checked in the guy said "maybe 10:45" as the worst-case scenario and that the on-course pace was good all day. I had second thoughts, but still plunked down my $44 (with cart) and waited for the call to the tee as group after group went out in assembly-line-like fashion (insert Bugs Bunny factory music here). I finally got the call and teed off at 11:00 with a twosome and another single. After that, it was waiting at least 5 minutes on every shot and all the par-3s had 2-3 groups waiting on the tees. The round took just over 5.5 hours and pretty well broke my spirit.

The brutal pace and questionable information provided by the pro shop kids kind of soured what could have been a pleasant round. The course itself was in good shape. The tee boxes were solid, the fairways were mostly quite good, and the rough was very difficult. It's a mix of different grasses (definitely poa and some kikuyu) and very deep in places. We had a hard time just finding a few balls, and then hitting out was just doing anything you could to advance the ball forward and not hurt yourself. I enjoyed the challenge and punishment of this rough, but it surely cannot be good for the pace of play here. The greens were pretty decent, holding shots well enough and rolling at medium speeds. I was in one bunker and it was fine.

I ended up liking the course more than I expected to. For the most part, it's a pretty straightforward Billy Bell design. Some of the greens are unusually shaped and trickily undulated to add a little something. Then, I really enjoyed the signature stretch of holes 10-12. It's a nice elevated view from the 10th tee overlooking the river with the train bridge (or is it a trestle?) in the background. Then 11 and 12 are both fun holes utilizing the hillside as you work your way back up top. The people I played with told me this place is almost always busy and slow rounds are the norm. I expected that, but still wasn't quite ready for that long of a round. Oh well, I survived and was able to check another one off the list!

Played 7-4-15

Planned on a 4th of July marathon and was completely wrong. The course was nearly empty and we ended up playing 36 (thank heavens for ice water and beer). The design is one of my favo... Continue »

Played 7-4-15

Planned on a 4th of July marathon and was completely wrong. The course was nearly empty and we ended up playing 36 (thank heavens for ice water and beer). The design is one of my favorites in the area. Playable for all levels, but challenging for better players due to Billy Bell's great work with small greens and angles. Previous review has a more details.

Played Saturday 3-14-15

Excellent Billy Bell design that allows bogey golfers to enjoy their day, while challenging better players with positioning, angles, small greens, uneven lies and well place... Continue »

Played Saturday 3-14-15

Excellent Billy Bell design that allows bogey golfers to enjoy their day, while challenging better players with positioning, angles, small greens, uneven lies and well placed bunkers/trees. Makes me wonder why some modern architects can't figure out how to accommodate all levels of players.

Pace- Started off painfully slow. After the turn many of the recreational/drinking crowd left. Front nine 2:30+, back nine sub 2 hour for a 4:30 total.

Course conditions- Lush almost everywhere (first time I've seen actual rough in forever). The bunkers had been fluffed and everything plugged or fried egged. Greens were still showing signs of maintenance, which caused the occasional plinko effect. They are not only doing normal maintenance on the greens, but are also preparing for the Len Ross Jr., so they should be very nice in the next month.

Staff- Good staff all around. Home of the First Tee Fresno. Daniel Beckman is one of the instructors. He made the finals at the ReMax long drive last year, so if you need some swing speed tips look him up.

Value- Always good prices. We had a $25 deal that included cart. Steal for a weekend.

Food- Normal fare, normal prices. The back deck has great views of the 10th and the tracks/bridge (see photos once they post). Front deck allows viewing of several holes.

Facilities- Muni level buildings, well maintained. Range has good space and grass. Short game area in good shape. Practice green needs more flat areas, it is difficult to get a feel for speed/lag.

The volume of play can cause pace and conditioning issues at times. The layout and price make it one of my top five in the area. I recommend a visit.

Just a quick update on Riverside, played out there last week in the wind and cold before this "big storm" was supposed to hit. Course was wide open, probably due to the circumstances of the weather. B... Continue »

Just a quick update on Riverside, played out there last week in the wind and cold before this "big storm" was supposed to hit. Course was wide open, probably due to the circumstances of the weather. But the course was in pretty good shape! The greens are the best part of the course right now! They are in really good shape! Best they've been in a while IMO. They are doing some maintenance to make the course a little better, which is always great! Prices are really good too!