On April 13, the Riviera Country Club embarked on its most ambitious golf course renovation to date. The $8 million, eight-month modernization will deliver one of the most modern and unique golf course designs in South Florida that will feature dramatic elevation changes and the addition of nearly three acres of lakes, among other updates to the course.
“This project will be the first major renovation to the course since 1993,” said Eric J. von Hofen, director of Agronomy and Clubhouse Maintenance for Riviera Country Club. “As an original Donald Ross golf course, it will keep the spirit of the original layout imagined in 1925 by one of the fathers of golf course design. The modernization of the course will keep the Donald Ross characteristics while making the adjustments that players want.”
The Riviera Country Club will be working with the golf industry's leading course architect and designer, Kipp Schulties Golf Design, a multi-dimensional golf services firm with a staff of design and planning experts committed to developing championship-quality golf course facilities; industry leader in course development, QGS Development, who recently worked on Trump National Doral's Red and Gold courses; and Buzz Jaskela Landscape Architects.
“We are looking to create something very special at Riviera Country Club. Many clubs don’t have the ability to do what we plan to because of space,” said award-winning golf course designer, Kipp Schulties. “The finished course will have plenty of modern touches adding character, contour and elevation and giving members a truly unique golfing experience in South Florida.”
In addition to new Celebration Bermudagrass and a state-of-the-art irrigation system, once complete, the course also will feature 15 to 18 foot tee boxes, elevations not normally seen in South Florida. Other landmark areas that will be improved include:
A state-of-the-art water conservation/irrigation system will be installed to conserve water and energy.
A spectacular two acre lake will be added along with another half-acre lake.
Greens will be rebuilt to USGA specifications and enlarged for a variety of pin locations.
Fairways and roughs will be replanted with the new, stronger Celebration Bermudagrass.
Fairways will be re-contoured to enhance playability in the landing areas.
Non-native foliage will be replaced with native plants.
The construction will run through the end of September, when the golf course renovations will finally come to fruition, after months of careful planning, detailed preparations and thoughtful design. Following the growing period of the grass, the golf course will reopen at the end of December.
“The improvements that we are making to the golf course will take the golfing experience to a new level,” said Ed Williamson, president of Riviera Country Club. “Since 1945, the tradition of the Club has been to provide an unparalleled experience to our members and to be a valued neighbor to all. We are committed to honoring our place in the community and the legacy of leadership that our members have always insisted upon.”
About Riviera Country Club: For 70 years, the Riviera Country Club has sat in the center of Greater Miami, at the very heart of historic Coral Gables. Since the beginning, Riviera has been led by prominent and active community leaders. The Club’s membership is a mirror of the community, and represents its diversity and its dynamic evolution into one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Riviera Country Club – a club of distinction – has been judged a five-star Platinum Club since 1999.
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