By Dustin Gilder

Saying Goodbye to River Oaks Golf Club: A Myrtle Beach Favorite

I’m pretty bummed to share that River Oaks Golf Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is shutting down on October 31, 2025. For years, I’ve been filming this place for the Myrtle Beach Golf Channel, capturing everything from overseeding the fairways to wacky trick shots. Now that it’s turning into houses, I want to share what made this place so special—its history, the awesome folks like Scott Taylor who kept it running, and personal stuff like my son Eli’s first swing here. This is my way of saying thanks to a course that meant the world to me and so many others.

A Look Back at River Oaks’ Glory Days

River Oaks, or River Oaks Golf Plantation as it was first called, kicked off in 1987, becoming the 27th course in Myrtle Beach. Designed by Gene Hamm and Tom Jackson, it sat on 800 acres right by the Intracoastal Waterway, with three nine-hole tracks: Fox, Otter, and Bear. Fox had these gorgeous holes by the water, Otter threw in some tricky ponds and bunkers, and Bear, which came along in ’91, was a bit easier for newbies. It was one of the first spots around here to use Champion UltraDwarf Bermuda greens, which made putting smooth as butter.

From 2007 to 2010, they spruced things up big time. They chopped down thousands of trees for better air and light, fixed up cart paths, and sorted out drainage. Then in 2011, Craig Schreiner gave Fox and Otter a makeover, which helped River Oaks snag the 2015 Myrtle Beach Golf Course of the Year award. But it wasn’t just about the golf. This place was like a big community hangout, hosting tons of charity events, over 25 a year! They supported stuff like Folds of Honor for military families and had a “juniors play free” deal that got kids into golf. And don’t get me started on that back patio—perfect for chilling with a drink after a round.

Scott Taylor: The Guy Who Made It Happen

Scott Taylor’s been running the show at River Oaks since 2009, and man, he’s been the heart of this place. Born and raised in Myrtle Beach, he’s got golf in his blood. His dad, Major Steven W. Taylor, was a big-deal PGA guy. Scott played for Coastal Carolina and brought that love for the game to everything he did here. Even with the end coming, he was out there making sure the greens were perfect, swapping out four of them for Sunday UltraDwarf Bermudagrass this year.

Scott wasn’t just about keeping the course nice. He made it a spot where everyone felt welcome, working with local pros like Russ Brown and Tyler Foust and hosting events that brought folks together. He once told me they wanted to “bring River Oaks back to the community and give back,” and he nailed it. From charity tournaments to fun community days, Scott’s crew made sure this place was more than just golf—it was home. They’re even planning some cool send-off events and selling special gear to wrap things up right.

My Story with River Oaks and Eli

For me, River Oaks is personal. I spent years filming here for the Myrtle Beach Golf Channel, shooting everything from drone shots of the Fox nine’s waterfront holes to tips with Scott and goofy videos with kids. But the real heartstring-tugger is my son Eli, who has cystic fibrosis. His very first golf swing happened right here on these fairways, and I’ll never forget that day. This course became our spot for fighting CF, hosting awesome charity events like a crazy 65-hole marathon in one day with local golf pros to raise money for research. Everyone was cheering, and it felt like we were all in it together.

One of my favorite memories is our “Trick Shots for CF” video, where we smacked a tennis ball from Market Common all the way to River Oaks. Eli was the star, and we tagged it #trickshots4cf. It was all about showing how tough and happy our community is, with River Oaks as the backdrop. Filming here was always a blast. Whether it was the Goofy Golf Tournaments or the Thursday night scrambles, this place was where families connected, kids learned to swing, and we made memories that’ll stick with me forever.

A Place That Brought Us Together

River Oaks was a magnet for good causes. They raised tons of cash for things like CF, veterans through Folds of Honor, and young golfers via the Myrtle Beach Junior Golf Foundation. That “juniors play free” thing was huge? It made golf something everyone could try, not just the pros. People loved it for being so welcoming. I saw posts on X where folks shared stories about learning to play with their parents or having their best rounds here. One guy even said, “River Oaks was my happy place—gonna miss it bad.”

The End of an Era

Come October 31, 2025, River Oaks is done, with its Fox and Otter nines sold off for $9.2 million to a developer named Chris Manning for up to 600 homes. The Bear nine got sold back in 2021 for $3 million, then flipped to Mungo Homes for $9.5 million to build 220 houses. It’s part of a bigger thing around Myrtle Beach where golf courses are turning into neighborhoods, but man, losing River Oaks hits different.

Scott and his team are going all out for the final stretch, with special events, cheaper rounds, and cool keepsakes to say goodbye. For me, River Oaks was where Eli swung his first club, where we raised money for CF, and where I got to capture so many awesome moments. Those videos of tournaments, trick shots, and tips are like a time capsule of this place. Scott, you made River Oaks a home for us all. To the staff, the players, and everyone who showed up for causes like CF, thank you. River Oaks, you’re leaving a big hole in our hearts, but the stories and love we shared here? Those ain’t going anywhere.