Played today on 1/9, and this course is definitely worth its green fee. It has a links style feel in the front nine, but not so much in the back. The greens are tough, breaks on mostly all the holes, ... Continue »

Played today on 1/9, and this course is definitely worth its green fee. It has a links style feel in the front nine, but not so much in the back. The greens are tough, breaks on mostly all the holes, difficult pin placement throughout; however, the greens are in excellent condition. The fairways in the front nine were a bit brown, but the back nine was in good condition. Our threesome finished in 3.5 hours, which is fast considering we teed off as the second twilight group at 12:40. I enjoyed the layout, conditions, and pace of play of this course. It's worth the long drive out to Oxnard.

Out Dec 31st early. Finished before the wind started to blow and at RRidge, glad for that. Ridge regulars will find the early winter conditions much better than last year- fairways not nearly as dry+ ... Continue »

Out Dec 31st early. Finished before the wind started to blow and at RRidge, glad for that. Ridge regulars will find the early winter conditions much better than last year- fairways not nearly as dry+ greens holding. I still enjoy the new layout, beware the new hole fairways are the poorest on the course- punched, and completely dormant. Unlike the Lakes, they will not yield a fluffy lie under these circumstances. Also, beginning to appreciate the green slope up there- pin placement[s] in ‘bowl’ spot[s] makes for an interesting approach shot.
It’s not realistic to compare courses like this to what we see on the PGA tour. I look for consistent conditions- and the Ridge does deliver that. The areas on the course that are good [greens, most sand, most tee boxes] are consistent in that condition. The areas on the course that are not so good [certain fairways in certain spots, few tee boxes/sand] remain. Only a good rainy season can truly elevate the entire course- the conditions are not suffering because the staff is not working or paying attention to detail. I am looking forward to the new track/18 and possible re-routing of both [in order to make the clubhouse more accessible during play].

I have been eager to play the new layout for a while, but I didn't get the opportunity until now (12-30-07). Wind was on the mild side cutting distance off the holes playing into the wind, which was n... Continue »

I have been eager to play the new layout for a while, but I didn't get the opportunity until now (12-30-07). Wind was on the mild side cutting distance off the holes playing into the wind, which was nice after a few weeks of tough wind conditions even early morning. The linksy layout still reward knockdown shots and bumping it in to the greens, which is really what makes this course so fun to play (apart from great $). The change in layout with the four new added holes has been very succesful. The new elevated holes add both a beautiful view, variation and definitely reward smart play. With a reachable par 5 and a par 4, where you can drive the green with the wind in your back you will be tempted to let the horses out. I did however put my driver back in the bag on #6 after a gutsy player in the group in front of us drove his first ball OB and his 2nd one in one of the pot bunkers. Believe me, you want to stay well clear of those... To end on the signature island hole is a more worthy ending than the old #18, which was a dissapointing ending hole. On a negative note the rapid jump from links layout to a house lined parkland on #14-18 is a bit disruptive compared to say Rustic Canyon, which has a nicer flow to it and more exciting greens. However, the greens were very slick and in good condition. Fairways were typical River Ridge i.e borderline accepteable, apart from #14-17, which need to be shapen up. Even RR Victoria Lakes have better fairways than this... All in all, it is really nice to see a course actually in the process of transforming a pretty decent 27 hole facility to 36 exciting holes of golf with great practise facilities and great value for the money.

I've been playing River Ridge for a long time now, and every time out I'm hoping for some improvements, but again after playing last Sunday, my hopes where again dismaid. They have enough marshalls on... Continue »

I've been playing River Ridge for a long time now, and every time out I'm hoping for some improvements, but again after playing last Sunday, my hopes where again dismaid. They have enough marshalls on the course, if every one of them had a bag of seed, the course would improve over a months time. Yes, I know it's dormet season for a lot of grass types, but I would still rate the fairways & tee boxes as miserable. I can't believe they've invested all that money into another 18 holes when they can't get the first 18 right. The greens are halfway decent, at least they're green, a little bumby, but playable. How about getting rid of the marshalls and getting some grass seed and water? Out of 10 I give River Ridge a 3.

I decided to come back, its a nice course.. Took a buddy that hadn't played there yet.. 6:10am tee time.. I know what your thinking the sun doesn't even come up yet!! It was and error so they had us s... Continue »

I decided to come back, its a nice course.. Took a buddy that hadn't played there yet.. 6:10am tee time.. I know what your thinking the sun doesn't even come up yet!! It was and error so they had us start on the back 9. finished in about 2 hours but when we made the turn we had to wait for 45 minutes.. I'm not complaining cause it was still a good time. The new holes they added on the front 9 are pretty tough when the winds were howling and if your going with the wind the ball is going to take off. The staff is nice and try to keep the pace of play up, overall it was a good experience.

Played on Friday. We were the second group out and finished in about 4 hours. First hole was hard to locate your tee shot because of the we got out at 6:15pm!! The sun hadn't risen yet!!! Nice re-desi... Continue »

Played on Friday. We were the second group out and finished in about 4 hours. First hole was hard to locate your tee shot because of the we got out at 6:15pm!! The sun hadn't risen yet!!! Nice re-design of the course on the additional holes. Fairways and greens were nice. Ending the round with the island tee is pretty tough. Overall great course for the $$$.

Played on Friday. We were the second group out and finished in about 4 hours. First hole was hard to locate your tee shot because of the horizon. Nice re-design of the course on the additional hole... Continue »

Played on Friday. We were the second group out and finished in about 4 hours. First hole was hard to locate your tee shot because of the horizon. Nice re-design of the course on the additional holes. Fairways and greens were nice. Ending the round with the island tee is pretty tough. Overall great course for the $$$.

Out early September 30th. The new layout is really good and shows it is possible to create a completely new feel to a course with only 4 new holes:
1] pace of play is faster because you will not get... Continue »

Out early September 30th. The new layout is really good and shows it is possible to create a completely new feel to a course with only 4 new holes:
1] pace of play is faster because you will not get to the clubhouse until #14. Blowing past ‘#9’ and starting the back side without that disruption helps maintain a good rhythm.
2] now there are 3 distinct feels to the course: old course/new course 4 holes/#’s 15-18 around the water. The new holes use the same fairways and greens as Victoria Lakes. Up on the highest point of the city, it has a very nice feel to it- surprising what a bit of elevation will do. The layout shape of the holes are very fun.
3] ending on the old #14 is a great idea. Sure, you could take a big number on the ‘final’ hole now that is built for that possibility but that can happen anytime. Before, trudging under Vineyard Blvd, past my car in the parking lot, then back up the old 15/16/17 down 18 always felt a bit strange. It feels much better to finish up on the island and head straight to the parking lot.
Curious how these little changes can make such a big difference in the enjoyment of the game.
As far as conditions – seems golf courses are becoming analogous to restaurants in my book – what I’m looking for is consistency. River Ridge conditions are the most consistent of any course I play. Currently the greens are healing and are bumpy but that will improve by this weekend.
Previously, I played RR often because of proximity and value – with the new layout, the course is very enjoyable and I’ll likely maintain my club membership through 2008 [now] as a result.

They added four new holes to the front nine (you lose the last four holes one the back). Was told they are redoing the course. The only problem with the addition is you do not come back to the clubh... Continue »

They added four new holes to the front nine (you lose the last four holes one the back). Was told they are redoing the course. The only problem with the addition is you do not come back to the clubhouse until finishing 13. Would normally buy some food at the turn, but was having dinner afterwards, so I skipped it. The course lost getting some of my mpney. Plus you finish on the Par 3 island green. Not the type of finishing hole you would expect. As one reviewer said, it looks like they opened the four new holes a little too soon. Will be interesting to see what the course is like after all the construction is done.