River Place Country Club

River Place is finally established after years of financial problems that were resolved when Tom Kite and Roy Bechtol gave the facility new life with a redesign in the early 1990s. Located on the former Wilding Ranch between Lake Austin and Ranch Road 620, the Hill Country terrain is phenomenal, with a creek that dominates the front nine, and some dramatic slopes that never result in level lies.

The sloping is evident on No. 1, a 402-yard par 4 that requires a testy approach over a ravine from a downhill lie. No. 4 is tough because the creek rolls along the left side of the 561-yard hole before crossing in front of the green. And No. 7 is one of the toughest: a 430-yard doglegger that bends right around the creek.

The back side has a few ponds that come into play, but is void of the pesky creek. The one to watch for is No. 17, a 585-yard monster.

Getting there : From Loop 360, take Ranch Rd 2222 going west.. In about 5 miles you'll come to River Place Blvd. Make a left and look for the entrance on the left side of the street.