Renovations Make
All the Difference at
The River Club
on Pawley's Island

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

So when he says that his golf course – which just underwent a major renovation to its greens and bunkers – is flawless, one has to believe it.

“It has been a great improvement and our business has improved as well,” says DeWitt. “Condition-wise, it is probably the best on the beach.”

Best on the beach is a bold statement, what with over 110 golf courses now in operation from Brunswick County, N.C. to Georgetown S.C. But you know what British Economist Adam Smith said about competition: The customer wins every time.

“What everyone realizes is that the (annual) rounds in Myrtle Beach have increased just a little bit, but there are so many choices for players,” DeWitt says. “Repeat business is what everyone is fighting for.”

The River Club is winning that battle with its new A-1 bentgrass greens, more playable bunkers, and its classic Tom Jackson designed layout. The course features water on 15 of its 18 holes, 100 bunkers, and some incredible views of the surrounding lowcountry.

Now that the putting surfaces are first rate, DeWitt says it won’t be long before the River Club is being mentioned again with the Caledonia’s and Tidewater’s of the world. The move to A-1 bent, acknowledges DeWitt, was a no-brainer.

“We had good greens in the spring, but they were weak in the summer,” he says about the old Bermuda greens. “The greens now are soft but receptive. They are holding well and rolling fantastic. The stimpmeter today was 11.1, and the average is 10.6.”

After struggling through one of the coldest Decembers on record, the River Club bounced back for a near record setting February, according to DeWitt. News of the course’s improvements has spread via word of mouth, but DeWitt says it’s the repeat play that the River Club thrives on.

“We have a lot of repeat guests, but the people that have been playing with us for years are ecstatic,” he says. “I haven’t had one complaint about conditioning, just accolades.”

DeWitt is also the head professional at the River Club’s sister south Strand course, the venerable Litchfield Country Club

Litchfield was one of the first eight courses built in the Grand Strand, and Willard Byrd’s classic compilation of narrow fairways and tight doglegs had begun to show its age. But DeWitt feels a major dethatching program undertaken this winter will restore the course back to its glory days.

“They did a lot of dethatching, and that tears out any dead grass that is under the surface,” he says. “The problem they always had was that the top of the grass was moist, but the thatch wouldn’t let the water get down to the roots. It has really made a great difference.”

“I feel that our south end courses (also including Willbrook Plantation) are the best that we have ever seen them,” DeWitt says.

Easter Promotions: DeWitt says that the River Club is looking at a number of East promotions, including a “one child plays free” special. “We are trying to promote family golf,” he says.

Course Information

The River Club
Highway 17, S., Pawleys Island, SC
1-800-344-5590 TEE TIME CENTRAL
or 1-843-237-8755
Course Rating: 72.2 Slope Rating: 125