Freeways and Fairways: Riverside
This course review is part of an occasional series that looks at golf courses found along Michigan interstate freeways – those you drive by frequently, or on that annual vacation, but never seem to have time to stop and explore. Here is my assessment:
By Tom Lang
This course in Battle Creek offers the unique combination of city skyline views and tree-lined fairways on peaceful rolling hills to navigate for a fun round of golf.
It also just barely qualifies as a freeways and fairways course because the freeway it sits along is only 3 miles in total length itself, I-194, the paved tributary connecting I-94 to downtown Battle Creek to the north.
A few things jump out at Riverside: price, green conditions and vistas.
This is a former country club in Battle Creek, near the Kalamazoo River that snakes through town – thus the name even though the river is not really visible. The current owners keep the prices low but the experience high. The first tee offers a really cool view of the Battle Creek skyline from the course’s highest point. It’s a unique way to start your round albeit not as large as you’d find in a major city.
I played it in early September, and the greens were in fantastic condition (sans the lazy golfers who don’t repair their ball marks). I was so surprised at how pristine the greens were with no visible blemishes or groundskeeping errors of any kind that I had to double check with my friend after the round to see if he saw what I did. He agreed.
That said, like most golf courses, some tees were a little beat up from being too shaded and not getting enough sun for re-growth. There were also a few bunkers in need of dire attention, and when I asked a grounds worker nearby, he said new sand had been on order for many months but with supply chain issues it hadn’t been delivered yet.
The front nine is more wide open than the back, which is a tunnel ride away under Columbia Road to access. I liked holes 10-12 as my favorite stretch of three in a row. No. 10 is a medium to long par 4 dog leg left and slightly uphill to the green. No. 11 is a slight dogleg left where golfers have to clear the corner to approach the green, which is elevated above the valley guarding the front. No. 12 is a very attractive par 3 with a large green.
But my favorite individual hole is the par 4 16th. The tee shot is blind as the fairway tuns left and steeply downhill on your approach shot. Water guards the right side of the green to require an accurate shot in.
All in all, Riverside a great course at a great value.
