River Islands Golf Club - Knoxville, TN

I recently visited, on July 29th, River Islands Golf Club. It was, at least, the 10th time I’ve been there.

It’s an Arthur Hills design, and if you’ve ever played on one of his, you’ll look for more of them, as I do.

I took Rick Forman, Todd Hart and Todd Waldrip. All of them are from Metro Louisville, KY or one of the surrounding cities.

We got there around 11:30AM and were going to eat lunch, hit some range ball and putt before our tee time at 2PM.

For our lunch choices we were given a choice of a ham sandwich or a ham sandwich. No hamburgers were on the grill, no hot dogs, no chili. Nothing but ham sandwiches and the chioces of chips to go with it consisted of one bag of flavored chips and one bag of plain chips. It would have been the most disappointed I’ve ever been with a Pro Shop lunch, except the ham sandwich was pretty good.

The sack of range balls was less than a third of the amount I get at my local driving range and was twice as expensive. Again, it would have been the most disappointed I’d ever been with this, but the hitting area at the range was in great shape and there were multiple targets to hit to.

The round starts with an easy par 4 1st hole. About 356 from the White tee’s some of my partners wanted to play. 3 wood, pitching wedge, 2 or 3 putts and you’re done.

The second hole is a down and around, over a deep valley type of 353 yard par 4. 200 yard tee ball, 150 yard approach and be very careful you don’t go long or come up short.

Now’s where the fun begins. It is now officially on.

The third is a par 3, 175 yard ALL CARRY over the French Broad River. No room short, no room right, very little room left and long. Good luck. I LOVE this hole.

#4 is a 547 yard par 5, bordered every yard on the left by the most picturesque river and bluff views you will ever come across. I caught Todd Waldrip staring at the river and the bluffs at least 3 times on this hole alone. If there is a more beautiful hole in golf, I haven’t played it, YET.

5 is a 150 yard par 3, all carry, again over the French Broad River. No room anywhere. Be good or lucky, or you’ll be wet. This is a great hole.

6 is a par 5, again with the river, bluffs and pasture land all along the left. Again, I had to snap Todd Waldrip back to reality, several times. He said he couldn’t wait to bring his ” special someone ” down to see this hole. It might be the most tranquil spot on earth.

7 and 8 are fine holes with no special or outstanding features, other than they are part of the wonderful landscape. 8 is a 190 yard par 3. I hit a smooth 5 iron to about 8-10 feet. The bad part is I don’t remember if I made the putt. The place does that to you. You don’t really care about the score. It really is that scenic, quiet, beautiful, serene, etc.

9 is a 527 yard par 5. I hit driver, then 3 wood from 250. On the green in two and 2 putts for birdie.

Next is the Turn Shack. Yessss ! It’s about 100 degrees with heat index, we’ve been out here for about 2 1/2 hours, it’s Friday at 4:30PM and the Turn Shack is CLOSED. CLOSED ? CLOSED !

Seems to be a common thread. They really don’t like people so they don’t feed them. Must be something about being owned by LinksCorp. You get this same attitude at Stonhenge at Fairfield Glade. Not very people friendly, but at least River Islands is so dang pretty that you don’t care.

I’ve been going to River Islands, and taking people with me since ‘98. That’s about when LinksCorp bought them. Never been treated rudely, but never had anyone go out of their way to see if I could have a better time.

I’ve asked the Pro Shop employee every time if they had a nice discount for us on some shirts, since we drove 4 hours from Louisville and brought 3 people with me. Never got a discount over and above the one’s that were already in place. Wouldn’t hurt to say, here’s a rack we can give you and extra discount on. Maybe we’d come back sooner than we would usually do. Which is once in spring, once in summer and once in fall.

The back 9 starts with an easy par 4, about 385 yards. I hit driver and 9 iron and made the birdie putt.

11 thru 13 are nice par 4’s of medium length, nicely laid out and wondeful holes, just not outstanding for any reason.

14 is a really fine par 5. Uphill tee ball, then downhill on the second shot, to a well guarded green with your approach. Hit 2 easy balls and leave yourself your favorite length approach shot and you’ll get out with a well deserved par.

15 takes you back across the French Broad River to an 180 yard par 3. Be short. No room for error here. Hit about 5-10 yards short, pitch it back and take a chance with your putt for par. What a par 3 this is. Stay out of the gunge/weeds. Right, Todd ?

16 is a birdie hole. Short par 5. All you have to do is split a fairway that is only about 20-25 yards wide, between some towering trees. I mean HUGE. I hit a skanky tee ball, but still got to the green in two. I believe I 2 putted for birdie. Don’t really remember. Too beautiful to care. I love this river.

17 is a par 3 over a deep ravine, downhill to about 142 yards. I knocked down a 9 iron and 2 putted for par.

18 is a gorgeous par 4, 400 yards downhill. Bunkers on the right calling your name. I hit driver over them, but long and right is not a good place to be. Next time it’s a 3 wood or utility club down about 250 and a 9 iron in. I will remember.

Never one time did a Ranger come by and say anything about hurrying. Not once did they bother us or question our pace of play. This is a good thing. For what we paid, we should have been allowed to enjoy our round and we did.

Thanks to the grounds crew for good greens, fabulous fairway and rough that was not out of control. In fact, I’ve never had River Islands be in bad condition. Zoysia fairways should be a requirement for every course. These were outstanding.

There’s a part of their website that say’s -

” The service at River Islands exceeds even the highest of expectations. From the golf shop professionals and course hosts to the food and beverage staff–all are focused on making your day of golf enjoyable from start to finish. ”

Well guys, you were a little lacking in the food and beverage part, but your course was a MUST PLAY.

Next time people come from 4 or more hours away, make ‘em feel special, offer ‘em a discount on a shirt and maybe, just maybe, they’ll come back.

Either way, when the leaves start to change, you need to see this place. It’s even more beautiful in the fall.

I’ll see you then. Be ready. I know the course will.