They say you can’t stop progress, but it’s hard not to feel a pang when progress means losing a staple like River Oaks Golf Club. I remember my first (and very wonky) drive off their tee—a slice into the water, met by the laughter of locals who seemed to know every blade of grass. Now, those fairways will soon be foundations for hundreds of single-family homes. Before the bulldozers move in, let’s explore what the final season means for the community, the people, and the very soul of the Grand Strand golf scene.
Grand Strand Golf Course: More Than Just Grass and Greens
When I think about the Grand Strand Golf Course scene, River Oaks Golf Club stands out—not just for its rolling fairways, but for the stories and people that have shaped it since 1987. This isn’t just another headline in Golf Course News. The closing of River Oaks Golf Club this October marks the end of an era for Grand Strand Golf, and the impact is being felt far beyond the scorecards.
A Community Staple Since 1987
River Oaks Golf Club opened its doors nearly four decades ago, quickly becoming a beloved fixture along River Oaks Drive. Known for its affordable play and welcoming atmosphere, the club has drawn locals and visitors alike, year after year. General Manager Scott Taylor shared that the club averages about 50,000 rounds of golf annually—a testament to its popularity and accessibility. For many, River Oaks was the first place they picked up a club, the spot they brought their kids, or the course they returned to every summer.
“It’s very personal. It’s a family operation…we just appreciate all of the support,” Taylor told us, reflecting on the club’s legacy. His words ring true for anyone who has spent time here. River Oaks Golf Club isn’t just a business; it’s a community hub, a place where relationships are forged over early tee times and post-round conversations.
Faces Behind the Fairways
You can’t talk about the Grand Strand Golf Course legacy without mentioning the people who keep it running. Take Bill O’Brien, for example. At 89 years old, Bill has worked as a starter at River Oaks for nine years. He’d hoped to retire at 90, but with the club’s closing date set for October 31, 2025, that dream will be cut short. His voice carries both pride and sadness as he talks about his time here.
“This is family. The people. Scott, Cindy and Steve are tremendous people to work for,” O’Brien said. “All nice people work here at River Oaks.”
For Bill and many others, the club is more than just a job or a pastime. It’s a second home. The staff, many of whom are related or have worked together for years, treat each other like family. Taylor’s own wife, father, and children have all pitched in over the years, reinforcing that sense of belonging. This is the kind of place where regulars are greeted by name, and newcomers are quickly made to feel welcome.
Traditions That Transcend the Game
River Oaks Golf Club has always been about more than just the game. Over the years, it’s hosted countless community events, from charity tournaments to family days. One of the most cherished traditions is the Folds of Honor charity tournament, which brings together golfers from across the Grand Strand to support military families. The final season will see this event return, starting at 9 a.m. on a Saturday—one last chance for the community to rally together on these familiar greens.
Taylor and his team are determined to make the most of these last months. Special events are planned throughout the summer, and commemorative merchandise will be available for those who want to take home a piece of River Oaks history. The course itself will be kept in top condition until the very last round is played, a promise Taylor made to both staff and patrons.
From Fairways to Foundations: A Changing Landscape
The closure of River Oaks Golf Club is part of a broader trend in Grand Strand Golf, where courses are being redeveloped to make way for new housing. Developers purchased the 9-hole “Bear Course” in 2021 and secured the remaining 18 holes last year for nearly $10 million. Soon, hundreds of homes will rise where golfers once teed off, forever changing the landscape—and the community impact will be significant.
For now, though, the focus remains on celebrating what River Oaks has meant to so many. As the final season unfolds, it’s clear that this Grand Strand Golf Course was always more than just grass and greens. It was, and still is, about the people, the memories, and the sense of community that can’t be bulldozed or built over.
River Oaks Development: From Fairway to Front Porch
Standing on the edge of the River Oaks Golf Club, it’s hard not to feel the weight of change in the air. For decades, this Grand Strand staple has been a haven for golfers, families, and locals seeking a slice of Myrtle Beach’s green landscape. But as the sun sets on its final season, the fairways are already being eyed as the future foundations of one of the largest residential projects in recent Horry County memory. The River Oaks Development is more than just another chapter in Myrtle Beach real estate; it’s a sign of the times, and the story is unfolding in real time—captured by drone aerial footage and the keen lens of real estate photography.
Developers began their acquisition of River Oaks in phases, a move that has become increasingly common as golf course closures and redevelopments sweep across the Grand Strand. The first step came in 2021, when the 9-hole Bear Course was purchased. That was just the beginning. By 2024, the remaining 18 holes were secured, bringing the total transaction value to nearly $10 million. The plan? Transform the rolling greens and sand traps into hundreds of single-family homes lining River Oaks Drive—a project that will reshape not just the landscape, but the very fabric of this community.
It’s a shift that reflects broader trends in golf course redevelopment. Research shows that as demand for housing in Horry County continues to climb, the value of land once reserved for recreation is being reimagined. The River Oaks Golf Club, which has played host to around 50,000 rounds of golf each year since its opening in 1987, is now set to become the site of nearly 600 new homes. It’s a staggering figure, and one that underscores the scale of the golf course closure trend sweeping through the region.
For those of us who have watched the transformation unfold, the change is both exhilarating and bittersweet. On one hand, there’s the promise of new beginnings—families moving in, children playing where golfers once teed off, and a new pulse of life along River Oaks Drive. On the other, there’s a palpable sense of loss. General Manager Scott Taylor put it best when he said,
“It’s very personal. It’s a family operation. My lovely wife, my father and my kids have worked there, but most importantly, my staff are like family. We get to know our customers very well, so we just appreciate all of the support.”
That sense of family and community is echoed by longtime staff like Bill O’Brien, who at 89, had hoped to see the club stay open just one more year so he could retire at 90. “Disappointment,” O’Brien said. “Sad. This is family. The people. Scott, Cindy and Steve are tremendous people to work for, and they have a very nice group here. All nice people work here at River Oaks.”
As the last season plays out, the club is making the most of every moment. Special events, commemorative merchandise, and charity tournaments like the Folds of Honor event are giving members and staff a chance to say goodbye. Meanwhile, the transformation is being meticulously documented. Drone aerial footage sweeps over the property, capturing the final days of fairways and the first signs of construction. Real estate photography is preserving the club’s legacy, ensuring that the story of River Oaks—its rise, its heyday, and its rebirth—will not be forgotten.
Developers have yet to announce when construction of the new homes will officially begin, but the groundwork is already being laid. The shift from golf course to residential community is not unique to River Oaks; it’s part of a larger movement reshaping Myrtle Beach real estate and the Grand Strand as a whole. Studies indicate that as land values rise and housing demand outpaces supply, more golf courses may face similar fates.
For now, the fairways remain open—just until October 31. After that, the familiar hum of golf carts will give way to the sounds of construction. And as the River Oaks Development moves from blueprint to reality, the transformation will be watched, recorded, and remembered, one drone flight and photograph at a time.
Golf Course Redevelopment: Ripple Effects on Community and Culture
As the sun sets on River Oaks Golf Club, the Grand Strand community finds itself at a crossroads. The closure of this decades-old course isn’t just another headline about Horry County development—it’s a moment that stirs deep feelings and prompts tough questions about what the future holds for Grand Strand golf and the people who have called it home for generations.
River Oaks, a fixture since 1987, has been more than just a place to play 18 holes. For many, it’s been a gathering spot, a source of affordable recreation, and a living piece of local tradition. General Manager Scott Taylor summed up the sentiment in a recent interview, saying, “It’s very personal. It’s a family operation. My lovely wife, my father and my kids have worked there, but most importantly, my staff are like family. We get to know our customers very well, so we just appreciate all of the support.” His words echo the feelings of many who have watched the course become a second home over the years.
The reality of golf course redevelopment is becoming all too familiar across Myrtle Beach and the wider Grand Strand area. Research shows that as land values rise and developers eye prime real estate, historic courses like River Oaks are increasingly making way for new housing. In this case, developers spent nearly $10 million to acquire the property, paving the way for hundreds of new homes along River Oaks Drive. For some, this signals progress and opportunity—home values may rise, and the local economy could see a boost as new families move in and construction jobs are created.
But for others, the loss cuts deep. Longtime starter Bill O’Brien, who hoped to retire at 90 after nine years at River Oaks, described the closure as “disappointment” and “sad.” He added, “This is family. The people. Scott, Cindy and Steve are tremendous people to work for, and they have a very nice group here. All nice people work here at River Oaks.” His words capture the sense of community that’s hard to quantify but impossible to ignore.
The impact of this golf course redevelopment goes beyond economics. It’s about identity. The Grand Strand has long been known as a golf destination, with courses like River Oaks forming the backbone of its reputation. As more fairways become foundations, there’s a growing sense that a unique chapter in the region’s story is coming to a close. Residents and regulars alike are left to grapple with what’s being gained—and what’s being lost.
Still, amid the change, there’s a push to preserve memories. Throughout the final season, River Oaks is hosting special events and offering commemorative merchandise, giving golfers one last chance to celebrate the course’s legacy. Local photographers, especially surfside beach photographers, are playing a vital role in chronicling these moments. Their photo essays and social media posts capture not just the landscape, but the emotions—nostalgia, pride, and even a little bit of heartbreak—that come with saying goodbye.
Coverage from outlets like WMBF News and On The Green Magazine has kept the community informed, but the story is also being told in quieter ways: through snapshots of the last tee times, through conversations in the clubhouse, and through the simple act of walking the course one more time. Social media has become a digital scrapbook, with images and stories shared by those who want to remember what River Oaks meant to them.
As the last rounds are played and the final charity events wrap up, the landscape of Horry County development continues to shift. The closure of River Oaks Golf Club is both an ending and a beginning—a symbol of the broader transformation sweeping through the Grand Strand. While some look forward to new homes and new opportunities, others mourn the fading of a golf community that once defined the area.
In the end, the ripple effects of this golf course redevelopment will be felt for years to come. The fairways may soon be foundations, but the memories, the friendships, and the sense of belonging fostered at River Oaks will linger—captured in photographs, in stories, and in the hearts of those who called it home.
TL;DR: River Oaks Golf Club will close on October 31, 2025, capping nearly four decades as a Grand Strand fixture; the land is set for redevelopment into hundreds of homes, reflecting both community nostalgia and the relentless pace of change in Myrtle Beach real estate.