River Place Country Club, Golf Course and Community

In Austin, we don't normally call it a River--it's Lake Austin, but River Place is the exception to this and many rules. Located on a large tract of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve on the Colorado River, aka Lake Austin, this stretch of land is arguably where the Texas Hill Country begins. Rolling hills. Running streams. Beautiful trees and a wonderful community built in the middle of natural beauty. And this golf course is one of the crown jewels in this community--taking advantage of all that the area has to offer. Designed by Architect Jay Morrish and Austin's own US Open Champion--Tom Kite.

When you play River Place, there are many pieces of the topography to take in. Deep contours. Elevated and de-elevated greens. Rock walls. Streams. Trees on both sides of the fairway. Small "ponds". Well groomed sand traps. Beautifully cultivated greens. Even at this writing, in the dead of winter, the greens are rich and groomed as if it is summer outside. Just incredible.

On most tees boxes you will not be able to see the flag stick from the tee box. It is a challenge the first couple of times you go out. And if you run into the Head PGA Pro, Chris de Keratry, on your way out, you will get one word of advise: "Lay up." It's good advise. Take it and run. This is a course full of surprises and adventure each time you load up your sticks.

River Place is fortunate to have one of Austin's best PGA professionals on staff. The Head Golf Pro, Chris De Keratry, is one of the brightest and best that you will find. A student of the Hank Haney School of Golf, I can personally testify that Chris is one of the best teachers in the business. (Confession time). I have taken lessons from lots of great golfers, but Chris is more than a great golfer--Chris is a great golf instructor. He understands how to teach a sport that requires the brain to execute a very complex set of hand-to-eye-to-brain events all at one time. Many golfer can make the difficult look simple, but Chris makes the difficult feel simple and understandable. He is truly gifted and a nice guy on top of it all.

Exercise. My doctor told me a few years ago that I needed to exercise more. "Does golf count?"--"Yes, if you are walking--not ridding." Well, my MD has never played this golf course. This is the Texas Hill Country. Take a cart and live to play another day. There is enough exercise involved in this course even when you are ridding. And you will love every minutes of it. (Click on photos for a bigger image and better view!).

Of course, River Place is not just a wonderful golf course and country club. River Place is one of North West Austin's finest master planned communities. When you walk the golf course you are surrounded by beautiful custom homes. On the peak of the hills--looking down onto the golf course. And in the valley along side of the course. Nicely framed outside of the line of a stray ball, but ever present reminders of families who live and love River Place. Homes in River Place range from the low ~$300's to $MM homes and Lake Austin water front property on Big View Drive. A community, not defined by it's homes, but by its neighbors.

If you are interested in finding out more about this community, homes in River Place or you would like for me to personally introduce you to the good people of River Place, give me a call. Let's Talk.