
River Lakes Course
River Lakes Golf Course

About this course
River Lakes Golf Course, set in the rolling landscape of Columbia, Illinois, offers a playable experience accented with moments of tactical intrigue. A primarily modern design, the course unfolds across a gently undulating terrain, favoring those who can shape the ball left to right, with several doglegs providing visual challenge. The club, not nationally prominent, provides a relaxed atmosphere for its membership, known for its strong community of weekend golfers. The relaxed atmosphere encourages camaraderie. While River Lakes hasn't hosted major championships, it has consistently served as a valued proving ground for local amateurs and high school talents alike. The course's straightforward layout and accessible green complexes make it a popular choice for casual rounds and those seeking to improve their game. The club has a reputation for their famous turkey club sandwich. This has been a long time favorite on the menu and has been around since the club's founding. River Lakes offers a pleasant, unpretentious golfing experience in the heart of Southern Illinois.
Quick facts
- Location
- Columbia, IL, USA
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1993
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 71
- Length
- 5,710 yards
- Difficulty
- 65.7/100
- Course Vaults score
- 3.3
Getting there
The journey to River Lakes Golf Course begins at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), a straightforward twenty-minute drive across the Mississippi River into the gently rolling farmland of southwestern Illinois. The route follows Interstate 255 south before peeling off into the quiet countryside near Columbia, where the urban sprawl of greater St. Louis gives way to open fields and wooded ridgelines. As you approach, the landscape softens into the kind of unhurried rural calm that defines this corner of Monroe County - a fitting prelude to a course that has carved its identity into the bluffs and bottomland just beyond the metro's reach.

FAQ
Common questions about River Lakes
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
River Lakes has a Course Vaults score of 3.3 out of 10 based on 8 logged golfers.
Yes. River Lakes is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at River Lakes is 71.
River Lakes plays 5,710 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at River Lakes is 100.
River Lakes is a 18-hole course.



