Public

River's Edge Course

Rivers Edge Golf Club

Alpena, MI, USA
Rocky
+1
18 holesPar 726,583 yds71.9/122

About this course

Rivers Edge Golf Club sits along the Thunder Bay River in Alpena, a small city on the northeastern shore of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The course was designed by Warner Bowen, a Michigan-based architect who worked primarily in the Great Lakes region during the latter half of the twentieth century. Bowen's portfolio includes several courses across Michigan and neighboring states, typically characterized by straightforward routing that works with natural terrain rather than imposing dramatic earth-moving. The property takes advantage of its riverside setting, with holes routed through a mix of wooded corridors and more open ground near the water. The Thunder Bay River comes into play on several holes, creating both visual interest and strategic considerations for approach shots and tee balls. The terrain features moderate elevation changes typical of this part of Michigan, where glacial activity shaped rolling landscapes dotted with stands of hardwoods and pines. Alpena serves as a regional hub for northeastern Michigan, and the course reflects the character of many northern Michigan golf clubs—accessible daily-fee or semi-private facilities that cater to both local members and seasonal visitors drawn to the area's outdoor recreation. The layout provides a solid test for players familiar with tree-lined fairways and the need to position drives carefully in forested settings, while the river holes offer memorable moments within an otherwise traditional northern Michigan golf experience.

Quick facts

Location
Alpena, MI, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1970
Designer
Warner Bowen
Holes
18
Par
72
Length
6,583 yards
Difficulty
71.9/122

Getting there

The journey to Rivers Edge Golf Club begins at Alpena County Regional Airport, a small commercial hub with connecting service through Detroit, placing you just minutes from the course. For those traveling by car, the route north from Detroit or across from Traverse City traces Michigan's quiet interior before meeting the Lake Huron shoreline, a three-to-four-hour drive that transitions from farmland to forest and finally to the crystalline edge of Thunder Bay. The final miles wind through Alpena's modest downtown and along the river corridor, where the Thunder Bay River carves its way toward the lake, delivering you to a layout that feels both remote and refreshingly accessible—a northern Michigan gem without the pretense of the state's better-known resort enclaves.

FAQ

Common questions about River's Edge at Rivers Edge Golf Club

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

River's Edge was designed by Warner Bowen.

Yes. River's Edge at Rivers Edge Golf Club is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at River's Edge is 72.

River's Edge plays 6,583 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at River's Edge is 122.

River's Edge is a 18-hole course.

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