River Oaks Golf Club: A Community Treasure at Risk

April 14, 2025. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Today, we played Myrtle Beach’s “Fun Course,” River Oaks. We were paired up with Joe and Grace, a couple from Fairfax, Virginia, where we spend a great deal of our time with family. Joe and Grace, like many others, are relocating to Myrtle Beach to make it their retirement community. Playing with them was very enjoyable, and it was fun to watch them as they are very accomplished golfers.

River Oaks opened in 1987 as the 27th course built in the Myrtle Beach area. It underwent extensive renovations beginning in 2007 and extending into 2010. The course originally consisted of three nine-hole sections: the Bear, the Fox, and the Otter. River Oaks Golf Club has become known for its consistent conditions and value-priced play. The course is committed to community service, hosting many charity tournaments yearly and offering free or discounted play to youth players.

Unfortunately, River Oaks has been a victim of urban development, and nine holes (The Bear) have been replaced with a housing development, leaving only The Fox and The Otter for golf play. According to the attendant, the developer bought the entire golf course plot, so there is a chance the entire golf course will be replaced by homes. A groundskeeper shared with us the negative impact that all the housing buildup is causing. He said they have suffered from many local floods due to the deforestation of pine trees as they are cleared out for housing development. He explained that a pine tree absorbs 120 gallons of water after it rains; with all the pine trees gone, the ground is saturated and quickly floods.

We feel fortunate to have played a golf course that may not be there when we return, but our golfing experience at River Oaks was memorable and lasting. The course was in great condition; the Ultra Dwarf Champions Bermuda greens rolled true and, with the exception of a couple of holes, were all in outstanding condition. Please make River Oaks a destination before this great valued course is gone.