Opened in 1911 with an original design by Thomas Bendelow and A.W. Tillinghast, River Crest Country Club in Fort Worth is as fun and challenging to play today as it was more than a century ago.
Bendelow and Tillinghast combined had already built dozens of renowned courses before the first decade of the 20th century was over. They had a wealth of experience on how to challenge the golfer, and their masterful routing on the tight acreage at River Crest successfully incorporates numerous strategic elements that have stood the test of time.
Chief among these are the frequent risk-reward options golfers face throughout their round. When presented with choices, such as whether to attempt a heroic shot to gain an advantage or to play safely away from trouble, golfers are forced to think (or possibly outwit themselves) and then execute. It can make for high drama, as it will certainly do in the 100th Women’s Texas Amateur 18-hole stroke play qualifying round, but especially so during the match play portion of the championship.
Match play can yield thrilling and compelling golf on almost any stage, but the opportunity for excitement, creative shot-making, risk-taking and disaster is far more likely at an old-school gem such as River Crest.
Momentum swings are likely to happen everywhere during the Centennial Championship at River Crest, but the three holes highlighted below could prove to be real game- or match-changers.
Hole No. 8300 yards, Par 4
The 300-yard eighth hole is the shortest par 4 at River Crest. It’s drivable for longer hitters, but plenty of hazards wait to turn a possible birdie into a probable double-bogey 6. No matter if a player opts to layup off the tee or attempts a long bomb drive, there is no escaping the challenging green complex, which is well-protected by cavernous bunkers in front and out of bounds posts running perilously close along the right and back edges. Add in a pronounced slope and tricky undulations and players will find even having a flip sand wedge or pitch shot into the green can be treacherous.
Hole No. 16404 yards, Par 4
The longest and most difficult par-4 on the inward nine opens with a demanding tee shot to avoid water on the right and a bunker on the left. Though laying up short of the trouble might seem a sound strategy, players will likely try and thread the needle and push their drives as far down the fairway as possible in order to have a shorter approach to the difficult Biarritz-style green. The large, distinctively contoured green has two tiers separated by a deep swale and is guarded by water on the left. Players must hit the appropriate portion of this green or face a very difficult two-putt. There is a bail out area to the right of the green where players can try to save par with a chip or even a putt from the extended collar.
Hole No. 18343 yards, Par 4
A series of cross bunkers loom in the distance on the closing hole at River Crest. The landing zone narrows considerably near the second bunker on the right, which is placed too far out to carry even for the longest hitters. This means players will be using a metal wood or hybrid off the tee to reach the widest part of the fairway while staying short of the hazard. A well-positioned layup will leave an approach of about 120-130 yards to a perched green that sits well above the fairway. The right half of the green is especially precarious owing to the steep drop off and any player short-siding themselves will face a very difficult up and down. A front left hole location is the most accessible and provides the best opportunity for anyone needing a do-or-die birdie.
