One man's devotion makes view nice from anywhere on this course
By Craig Yuhas / The Detroit News
Dick Matthews isn't usually one for change; he's been at Riverview Highlands Golf Course for 23 years.
But if the changes are to his golf course, well, that's another matter.
Matthews, a Riverview native, constantly has worked on improving the 27-hole facility since the first nine - what is now the Gold Course - opened in 1973. Under the leadership of Matthews, Riverview Highlands has matured into one of the toughest and best-conditioned public courses in the area.
"We don't have any blind holes," Matthews, the course director, said. "We have some excellent length out here, yet some of the par 5s you can reach in two. It's a good golf course. It isn't tricked up like some of the newer courses."
But don't plan on a good score if you bring anything less than your "A" game to Riverview Highlands.
The Gold and Red courses were designed by Bill Newcomb of Ann Arbor; the Red opened in 1976. The Blue Course - opened in 1981 - and was designed by one of the hottest golf architects in the country, Arthur Hills.
All three courses have outstanding greens that roll as true as you can expect from a public course and you're generally able to get excellent lies in the fairways. All three of the courses are par 36s.
The Blue Course, at 3,230 yards, is the toughest of the three. Water comes into play on five of the nine holes.
The fifth, a 364-yard par 4, is a dogleg right with water along the right side. The seventh and eighth holes present big problems.
No. 7, a 514-yard par 5, has water all the way down the left side and in front of the green. Unless you rip a big drive, you'll have to lay up at least 100 yards back with your second shot.
No. 8 is a 401-yard par 4. There's water all the way down the left on this hole, as well. The right side of the fairway is lined with trees, making a serious miss off the tee an almost certain bogey or double bogey.
The Red Course is the next toughest; it measures 3,275 yards from the back tees. At only 294 yards, the par-4 first is a birdie hole, but then the course gets progressively tougher.
The fourth, a 212-yard par 3, demands an accurate shot - there's a large bunker and a lake to the right of the green.
No. 6 is a a 522-yard par 5. The landing area for the drive is no more than 25 yards between two large tree stands. It sets up two great finishing holes.
The 385-yard, par-4 eighth hole has another narrow landing area and a small green. The par-4 ninth is a good closing hole for golf purists - it's 413 yards and your drive must fly between two impressive tree stands.
At 3,457 yards, the Gold Course is the longest but the easiest. The second hole, a 503-yard par 5 that doglegs to the right, can be shortened if you cut the corner. But cut off too much of the dogleg and you're out-of-bounds.
There's not too much other trouble on the Gold except for No. 7, a long par 3 (201 yards), and No. 8, a 331-yard par 4 with a river running across the fairway about 200 yards from the tee.
There's not too much other trouble on the Gold except for No. 7, a long par 3 (201 yards), and No. 8, a 331-yard par 4 with a river running across the fairway about 200 yards from the tee.
Riverview Highlands
Riverview Highlands Golf Course is located at 15015 Sibley Road in Riverview. From southbound I-75 exit at Sibley Road, turn left, then travel to the third light and turn right. Phone: (734) 479-2266
Mike Kettler, Director
15015 Sibley Riverview Highlands Riverview, Michigan 48193-7600
Phone: (734)479-2266 Fax: (734)479-5624
mkettler@cityofriverview.com