GolfTravelReviews: The Reviews "Ocean City: All-Seasons Family Beach Resort"

River Run is a Good Walk

Lew Meltzer is a Long Island real estate attorney and developer with a resume of projects throughout the Northeast. In 1986, at the behest of a couple of clients, he became partner and general manager of a project in Berlin, Maryland, to develop a large tract they had purchased. The tract was comprised of two farms, one a soy bean farm and the other a heavily wooded uncultivated farm adjacent the St. Martin’s River. While the project seemed ripe for a huge housing development, Meltzer told his partners, "Wait, a minute, I think it might be a good idea if we put a golf course on this site." The partners listened, and five years later River Run Golf Club was opened to the public.

River Run is among the better known and liked Ocean City area golf courses on account of its playability and scenic setting. The course was designed by Gary Player, and Meltzer explains why. "We interviewed several candidates including Player," Meltzer said. "We were looking for a designer with world-wide recognition. We also wanted someone who had a player’s perspective from having played at a world-class level. Thirdly, we wanted someone whose design concept was to create a golf course that people of all playing levels would enjoy. Also, we wanted someone who was good to work with. Gary Player met our standards on all four counts."

Indeed, Player created a course that is very enjoyable to play. He moved very little dirt in fashioning a layout that winds over flat, open countryside on the first six holes and then turns into the woodlands for the last 12. In every respect, the course is not particularly punishing though it does not roll over and play dead. The greens are medium sized and not especially difficult, the fairways are generous and modestly bunkered. There are a few lakes and marshes to dress up the landscape but they have as much aesthetic as strategic value. And negotiating them is not like it is with a Pete Dye course where one mishit shot can lead to 10 more shots.

The open, windswept front nine, featuring a fairly long par 3 over water, gives way to a delightful romp through the woods beginning with hole 9 and continuing to 18. Holes 10-12 are straight, medium length par 4s requiring accurate tee shots, as these holes are enclosed in hardwoods. Hole 13 is also a par 4 with marsh directly in front of the green. It is the signature hole. Hole 15 is a very long par 5 with an out-of-bounds left and trees running the down the entire right side. After a short par 3 over water at #16, the course finishes with an excellent reachable par 5 through woods and along a lake (#17) and a medium length par 4 18th which sits besides the 9th green and offers a view through the trees of the St. Martins River.

River Run is not long, only 6705 yards from the championship tees where the slope is 128. It is a test, but not a brute. With the exception of #13, there are no forced carries, and from the forward tees shorter hitters will feel like every hole is within their range. Par from all tee markers is 71.

The greens are of bent grass and the fairways are rye. Course conditions generally are very good. Housing around the course is moderate, with some 40 living units spread over the 150 plus acres of the site. The project originally called for 400 homes and villas, but Meltzer said he anticipated the final count would be a lot fewer.

For tee times, call 1-800-733-RRUN.

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