Riviera Country Club
Riviera Country Club is an exclusive, private member-only club located at 1155 Blue Road in Coral Gables. The lush, restored 18-hole, par-71 golf course spans 6,511 yards with a driving range and PGA instruction. Members enjoy eight Har-Tru tennis courts, plus lighted facilities, tournaments, and league play. A grand clubhouse features a two-story, 8,000 ft² fitness center, full spa, event rooms, banquet facilities, restaurant, family pool. Social amenities include casual and formal dining, wine storage, locker rooms, and beverage service at poolside and grill.
Set within Coral Gables’ upscale Mediterranean-style community seven miles from downtown Miami. The surrounding Riviera Club neighborhood offers luxury homes with golf course vistas, manicured streets, and gated privacy.
Residents benefit from proximity to Coral Gables’ renowned schools, dining, shopping, Fairchild gardens, and cultural events. Real estate ranges from mid-$300K estates to multimillion-dollar mansions and townhomes. The club fosters a family-friendly, community-oriented atmosphere with recreational, social, and wellness programming.
Description of Riviera Country Club Course
Riviera Country Club features a private 18-hole championship course designed for members and invited guests only. The course plays to 6,511 yards from the tips with a par of 71. It uses Bermuda grass throughout for consistent playing surfaces and lush appearance. Course conditions are maintained to premium standards with fast greens and manicured fairways. The slope rating is 129 with a USGA course rating of 71.8.
Riviera’s front nine emphasizes precision with tree-lined fairways and guarded greens. The signature par-3 6th hole features a challenging water carry and deep bunkers. The back nine offers longer holes with risk-reward opportunities and strategic bunkering. Undulating greens and narrow landing zones demand accuracy from tee to green. The course blends beauty and difficulty in a traditional South Florida layout.
The renovation of Riviera Country Club’s championship golf course was led by Kipp Schulties Golf Design, a prominent golf architecture firm. They collaborated with QGS Development and Buzz Jaskela Landscape Architects for the full redesign and construction work. The project rebuilt greens to USGA standards and installed Celebration bermudagrass for improved play and durability. Three acres of lakes were added, along with enhanced bunkers, new elevation changes, and updated irrigation systems. The course officially reopened in December 2015 after its first major renovation since 1993.
Riviera Golf Greens Fees and Membership Costs
Members pay a daily cart fee only—typically around $15 to $25 depending on season. Guest green fees run approximately $20 to $52, plus cart charges. Initiation costs often start near $250,000, varying by membership type. Annual dues range from about $25,000 up to $40,000 for full privileges. Lower‑level social or junior plans may incur reduced initiation and dues.
Guests generally pay green fees of $20–$52, with cart fees extra. Members enjoy unlimited rounds, paying only cart rental fees. Annual membership dues span $25K–$40K in addition to initiation. Initiation fees begin around $250K for full golf membership. More affordable tiers, like junior or social plans, come at reduced cost.
Golf Staff and Historical Information about Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables, FL
Riviera Country Club’s golf course has attracted prominent members like LPGA champion Tracy Kerdyk. Head Golf Professional Joey Ludeman leads instruction, supported by Emmanuel Palacios and Nestor Delgado. Director of Golf Scott Schmidt oversaw operations for many years, mentoring staff and members. General Manager Sherrill Hudson ensures high service standards across all golf activities. The club maintains its private, membership-only golfing tradition in Coral Gables since 1924.
Interesting historical facts enrich Riviera’s legacy and atmosphere. The course originated on land redesigned in 1944, preserving Donald Ross architecture. The clubhouse was rebuilt in 2018 as a $37 million, two-story island-style facility. The club fosters a family-friendly vibe and celebrated its community roots since 1945.
Riviera remains one of South Florida’s most prestigious private golf destinations.