River Course - A Friendly Course With Spectacular Views!

River Course at the Alisal presents golfers with breathtaking panoramas of the brilliant hues of the foothills and the Santa Ynez Mountains and Valley. River Course features four lakes and often follows the meandering path of the Santa Ynez River. Gentle mounds define the manicured fairways and bentgrass greens accented by mature live oaks, native sycamores and elderberry trees.

Robert Scarpati, PGA Member at the River Course, describes the magnificent course as "extremely playable for all levels."

At 6,830 yards, the par-72 course is challenging but not punishing. This strategic placement of a variety of hazards rewards length and accuracy without severely penalizing casual and recreational golfers. The moderate central California climate and meticulous maintenance provide excellent year-round playing conditions.

The fairways appear wide but mounding along the sides requires accuracy to avoid sidehill lies. Some of the tees are elevated offering sweeping vistas of the fairways below. The greens are large and have moderate undulations making them a delight to putt, and the club keeps them consistent and true.

A most dramatic and demanding hole is the 438-yard, par-4 seventh that features a challenge everywhere you look.

Hit a big fade off the tee, and your ball might wind up in a vineyard of Ken Plam's Mission Meadow Winery, which runs the length of the hole. If you hook your tee shot, it might catch the lake that runs all the way up to the green.

Robert Scarpati's Tip on Seven...

"I'd suggest long hitters play to the right, away from the water. A long rolling hook will end up in the lake. The hole plays uphill and the green is elevated, so sometimes you need three clubs more than the yardage says. Bogey can be a very good score there."

The front nine finishes with a 172 yard par-3 that plays down a hill and across Alamo Pintado Creek, that transverses the width of the course. Again, the prevailing wind comes into play.

The back nine opens with the No. 2 handicap hole, a 430-yard par four, but it plays downwind with the tee shot through a chute of trees. Another stand of trees runs down the left side of the fairway, and a gaping bunker guards the right side.

Robert's Tip

"It's a tough driving hole... The chute is narrower at certain times of the year but we recently trimmed the trees so it's a bit easier. It's tight in the driving area, and if you go left, you either lose the ball or have an unplayable lie. It's a long second shot with a narrow opening to the green. #10 is just a challenging hole from start to finish."

The last four holes cover a plateau below the clubhouse. Refresh yourself by absorbing the surrounding beauty as the sun sets, casting an array of lavenders, purples, and blues against the Santa Ynez Mountains.

The 123-yard 17th looks simple enough, but it's almost surrounded by water and sand. But the most challenging of the final four is the 15th that plays uphill across the creek.

Robert's Tip on 15

"It's a tough drive because it's into the wind, and you have the river on the left and out of bounds on the right. It's visually challenging because it appears to be narrow from the tee, but actually it's fairly wide. The lake to the right of the green catches a lot of approach shots and the two-tiered green can be tricky if you're not on the right level."

No matter what time of year you play River Course, no matter what time of day, you're in for a pleasant experience. (The course is enjoyable at any level) and the surrounding beauty is picturesque - so bring your "A" game -- and a camera.