Photo Courtesy Heather Hamilton - The driving range at Riverwoods Golf and RV is open to the public. Three holes are tentatively scheduled to be ready for play sometime in September.
It has been a labor-intensive, time-consuming process to get the local golf course (formerly known as Willapa Harbor Golf Course) restored and primed for linksters to shoot par on. However, owner Heather Hamilton is optimistic that at least three holes of the newly titled Riverwoods Golf and RV will be in play for the public sometime in September.
"The property is owned by our LLC, Willapa Harbor Golf LLC, but we are changing the operating entity to Riverwoods Park LLC, DBA (doing business as), Riverwoods Golf and RV," Hamilton told the Herald. "We took ownership of the course July 9, 2021." Riverwoods is a 9-hole golf course.
"Our goal is to have the entire course open by next summer, 2023," Hamilton said.
A golf pro has already been hired and is offering his expertise about the development of Riverwoods.
"We have a friend, Greg Carter, who is a golf pro, who is living on-site with his wife, Debbie," Hamilton informed. "He has been consulting and coordinating everything with the golf course restoration."
At this point, Hamilton isn't sure what three holes will be ready for play in September.
"Sometime in September we hope to have three holes open either one, two and six or seven, eight and nine," Hamilton said. "Three, four and five are going to be the tough ones to finish. At that time the practice green will also be open to the public."
In case you want to sharpen your driving skills, the driving range is currently open to the public during daylight hours.
"The driving range is open daily from sunrise to sunset," Hamilton said. "The number of people coming out varies with the weather. It is free of charge and donations are accepted."
Hamilton admitted that getting the course ready to use is more of a task than she had anticipated? "It has been a monumental task getting the course restored. Getting rid of the garbage that had accumulated was a big undertaking let alone all of the other details like finding water lines, fixing broken lines and equipment, mowing, painting etcetera. The biggest challenge now is planting and getting the right amount of water to the greens."
Work has also been completed on the Golf Club House and the RV Riverwoods House.
"In addition to getting the golf course ready, we have updated two buildings, the Golf Club House and the RV Riverwoods House," Hamilton added. "Both of these event centers will be available soon as a venue for private parties with weddings. The 20-space RV Park is also almost ready for short-term nightly rentals."
At this time, no employees have been hired for the golf course. "We don't have any golf course employees yet," Hamilton said. "The work that has been done so far has been by family, friends, volunteers, independent contractors and from employees from our other businesses."
Other Businesses
Doing Well
The Herald asked Hamilton how the other family businesses are going? "The other businesses are going great," she said. "Our dental office is expanding and we will be welcoming an additional full-time hygienist, Claudia Perez, in October.
"Our Arena Del Mar, beachfront lodging and cabins in Grayland has 24 units and is now fully renovated. It has really been busy and is a great place for families to vacation or for scenic romantic getaways.
"Interestingly enough, the pandemic only increased the popularity of our other business - vacation rentals - as they provide private places for families to get away and enjoy time together.
"The Boondocks Marketplace and Flower Shop has been a fun place for local artists to showcase their work and for people in the community to purchase fresh and silk floral arrangements," Hamilton continued.
"Our raspberry farm, mentored by Darlene Smith, is growing well and we should have plenty of u-pick raspberries available late July and August," Hamilton noted.
In closing Hamilton offered, "Finally, I wish to extend my thanks to all those that have helped with the golf course restoration and to the community for their great support."