River's Edge reviews
2
0
Down by the River's edge/ I didn't do it, but I saw who did! 2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jun 7, 2013
Played the course:once
Pros:
Very well maintained city course that doesn't really have a city course feel, if you're picking up what I'm putting down.
Dual concrete tees on the majourity of holes, and the bonus nine had some nice big concrete tiles down for the single teepads those have.
Signage was above average, with steel posts marking the pros. Most of them had numbers and a few had maps & sponsors. I assumed the ones that were missing were torn down over time.
Layout is superb and we didn't make a wrong turn once. The only time you are lost are in the bonus nine, which are heavily, heavily wooded. Directions are given by following the orange spray-painted arrows placed perfectly throughout.
Most of the shots on the original 18 are open, but there are quite a few shots shaped by the surrounding trees, especially on the back nine. As a result, the course becomes quite a bit more technical without sacrificing distance.
The first nine shots play over an open landscape dotted with a few mature trees. The course is well planned in that it draws as much as possible from the surrounding forest, so that not every shot is in the middle of the field (I'm thinking of the basket behind the skate park, great approach shot!) That being said, these shots are still fairly easy, and you should be walking away with pars on most holes.
There was some nice elevation on hole #7, which is a blind anhyzer shot - this is probably the toughest of the front 9.
Get your bombs out for 10 & 11! These two holes follow an aqueduct and are wide open monsters. What a great break from the first nine and a chance to air it out. Your only obstacle is keeping an eye out for those jogging/biking along the trail that sits off to your right, and being mindful of the aqueduct on the left. The chance of losing a disc in the drink is real but relatively manageable.
At this point you can either take a right and play hole #12, or continue to follow the water into the bonus nine holes. I recommend the former, and will discuss why shortly.
The last half of the original 18 are a bit more wooded and offer great lines throughout. The fairways are open enough that you're allowed a little give, while still fairly punishing errant throws. If you are in a heat with someone, you will definitely feel the pressure all the way to the end. Some great scenery in here as well adds to the allure.
Amenities are decent and even include a port-o-john which was nice. Not sure if that is a permanent feature or not, but I thought it was cool.
Dual concrete tees on the majourity of holes, and the bonus nine had some nice big concrete tiles down for the single teepads those have.
Signage was above average, with steel posts marking the pros. Most of them had numbers and a few had maps & sponsors. I assumed the ones that were missing were torn down over time.
Layout is superb and we didn't make a wrong turn once. The only time you are lost are in the bonus nine, which are heavily, heavily wooded. Directions are given by following the orange spray-painted arrows placed perfectly throughout.
Most of the shots on the original 18 are open, but there are quite a few shots shaped by the surrounding trees, especially on the back nine. As a result, the course becomes quite a bit more technical without sacrificing distance.
The first nine shots play over an open landscape dotted with a few mature trees. The course is well planned in that it draws as much as possible from the surrounding forest, so that not every shot is in the middle of the field (I'm thinking of the basket behind the skate park, great approach shot!) That being said, these shots are still fairly easy, and you should be walking away with pars on most holes.
There was some nice elevation on hole #7, which is a blind anhyzer shot - this is probably the toughest of the front 9.
Get your bombs out for 10 & 11! These two holes follow an aqueduct and are wide open monsters. What a great break from the first nine and a chance to air it out. Your only obstacle is keeping an eye out for those jogging/biking along the trail that sits off to your right, and being mindful of the aqueduct on the left. The chance of losing a disc in the drink is real but relatively manageable.
At this point you can either take a right and play hole #12, or continue to follow the water into the bonus nine holes. I recommend the former, and will discuss why shortly.
The last half of the original 18 are a bit more wooded and offer great lines throughout. The fairways are open enough that you're allowed a little give, while still fairly punishing errant throws. If you are in a heat with someone, you will definitely feel the pressure all the way to the end. Some great scenery in here as well adds to the allure.
Amenities are decent and even include a port-o-john which was nice. Not sure if that is a permanent feature or not, but I thought it was cool.
Cons:
Bonus holes. Bonus holes. Bonus holes.
Maybe in time these will break in a bit more but as of right now they are not worth the hassle. While you can see the design peeking through the forest and identify the intent, the execution isn't quite there yet. My main complaint are the giant amount of felled trees collected into piles throughout. They are literally just stacked right in the middle of the fairway or blocking your approach. I'm assuming these are left over from the making of the fairways but I can't be too sure. I think just clearing these out would improve these holes greatly. There is plenty of Ivy in here as well, so mind your surroundings. Again, I feel these nine will break in as more folks play them, so give it another season or two before trying them out. It's just a shame because the original 18 are really a treat to play.
There is a construction lane running through the fairway of #2 that is blocked off by orange plastic fencing. I do not know if this is permanent or not, but there were more than a few semis running through it.
Maybe in time these will break in a bit more but as of right now they are not worth the hassle. While you can see the design peeking through the forest and identify the intent, the execution isn't quite there yet. My main complaint are the giant amount of felled trees collected into piles throughout. They are literally just stacked right in the middle of the fairway or blocking your approach. I'm assuming these are left over from the making of the fairways but I can't be too sure. I think just clearing these out would improve these holes greatly. There is plenty of Ivy in here as well, so mind your surroundings. Again, I feel these nine will break in as more folks play them, so give it another season or two before trying them out. It's just a shame because the original 18 are really a treat to play.
There is a construction lane running through the fairway of #2 that is blocked off by orange plastic fencing. I do not know if this is permanent or not, but there were more than a few semis running through it.
Other Thoughts:
If I was simply reviewing the original 18 holes, this course would be a 4/5 easily. I really enjoyed the challenge River's Edge presented and how it eased you into it. It seemed like every hole was more challenging than the last. I'm going to knock this down to a 3.5 until the bonus holes live up to the rest of the course. Overall, this is definitely a course to play when you are in the London area. A great mix of shots!
2
0
2+ years
Reviewed:
Played on:Jul 19, 2012
Played the course:2-4 times
Pros:
The Rivers Edge at St. Julien Park is the only course in London and it has a lot to offer. The front nine is semi open with strategically placed trees to navigate and tall grass lining many of the fairways that is played as OB. The grass was not so tall or dense in July 2012 that it should be difficult to find a disc that lands in it, so that's good.
The back nine starts out with two semi open holes with the river on the left, one of which is a true par 4 or 5 depending on if you play to the 600ft or 1000ft basket placement. The last 7 holes are in the woods and challenge you to hit your lines. When I was last here around 2004 or 2005, the wooded holes were completely overgrown but I was happy to see they were mowed and well maintained when I returned July 2012.
This course has variety. There is a good variety of hyzer, straight and anhyzer shots. Most, if not all of the holes have a short and long tee pads. There are two and occasionally three basket placements for every hole.
It appears there are two baskets in the ground on hole 11 so you can choose to play to the 600 or 1000ft placement. I didn't notice this until I had already holed out on the 600ft basket, but it is a cool option to give players.
The back nine starts out with two semi open holes with the river on the left, one of which is a true par 4 or 5 depending on if you play to the 600ft or 1000ft basket placement. The last 7 holes are in the woods and challenge you to hit your lines. When I was last here around 2004 or 2005, the wooded holes were completely overgrown but I was happy to see they were mowed and well maintained when I returned July 2012.
This course has variety. There is a good variety of hyzer, straight and anhyzer shots. Most, if not all of the holes have a short and long tee pads. There are two and occasionally three basket placements for every hole.
It appears there are two baskets in the ground on hole 11 so you can choose to play to the 600 or 1000ft placement. I didn't notice this until I had already holed out on the 600ft basket, but it is a cool option to give players.
Cons:
Many of the tee signs are missing or so faded they are unreadable. This made locating baskets a little more difficult. Navigating the course is fairly easy in the front nine, but the back nine can get a little tricky if you don't have a map with you.
Some of the concrete tees were in really bad shape with an extremely rough, broken down surface.
When I was here in July 2012, many of the baskets were in the long positions. The long placement for hole 3 has you throwing right at hole 4's tee pad. The long placements for holes 3, 15, 16 and 18 seemed a bit too lucky IMHO. Of course these are not the only pin positions for these holes so this won't be an issue all the time.
The rough on a few of the wooded holes seemed pretty dense so keep an eye on your disc.
Some of the concrete tees were in really bad shape with an extremely rough, broken down surface.
When I was here in July 2012, many of the baskets were in the long positions. The long placement for hole 3 has you throwing right at hole 4's tee pad. The long placements for holes 3, 15, 16 and 18 seemed a bit too lucky IMHO. Of course these are not the only pin positions for these holes so this won't be an issue all the time.
The rough on a few of the wooded holes seemed pretty dense so keep an eye on your disc.
Other Thoughts:
Overall this is a good course that has something to offer players of all skill level due to its great variety of hole length, multiple pin placements, two sets of tees, and a nice mix of open, semi open and wooded holes.
It's located just a few minutes off the 401 and is worth stopping for a round if you're passing by, but be sure to bring a course map your first time.
The course map here on DGCR shows 9 extra holes after hole 11. I did not see these holes or signs for them when I was here, but I wasn't looking for them either. Since I have not played them, my review is only about the original 18 holes.
It's located just a few minutes off the 401 and is worth stopping for a round if you're passing by, but be sure to bring a course map your first time.
The course map here on DGCR shows 9 extra holes after hole 11. I did not see these holes or signs for them when I was here, but I wasn't looking for them either. Since I have not played them, my review is only about the original 18 holes.
