Featured Golf Course

The Riviera Country Club golf course is located in the City of Ormond Beach in Volusia County.

In 1924, an Ohio developer began promoting a development called Rio Vista on the Halifax, which was to include an 18-hole golf course. In February 1926, under the supervision of prominent Chicago golf course architect William D. Clark, workmen began construction of the golf course. By 1927, a hotel, 38 homes and more than 15 miles of paved roads had been developed but ended quickly with the onset of the Great Depression. It is unclear how much of the golf course was built.

Walter Kennett purchased 135 acres of the old Rio Vista development in the early 1930s. His plan was to open a golf course in the area originally set aside for a golf course back in the 1920s. Serving as the golf professional at the Gull Lake Country Club (Michigan) in the summers, Kennett, came from a golfing family, of the eight brothers, five (including himself) who were golf professionals. Kennett would continue building the golf course over the next few years when he was in town. In 1936, the new Rio Vista golf course was opened.

The golf course closed during the 1940s because of the war. When the club reopened in 1947, Kennett hired Ralph Ebling as his golf professional. Ebling lost his left arm at age nine but had a successful career in golf as a professional. Kennett passed away in 1951 and Roy Bronson purchased the course.

In late 1953, the 9-hole golf course was purchased by the Meyers family and renamed it the Riviera Country Club. A year later the existing nine holes were remodeled and an additional nine were added under the supervision of the brother Bob and Bill Meyers.  

In 1968, golf course architect Dave Wallace was hired to renovate the back nine and it was completed a year later. Over the years, well-known golf architect Lloyd Clifton gave a facelift to several holes and was instrumental in the look of the course and its present-day character. 

Rio Vista on the Halifax Ad

Rio Vista Golf Course Architect of W.D. Clark

1943 Aerial of Riviera Country Club

Riviera Country Club Scorecard from 1974

Rio Vista Archways on Calle Grande Street

Winner of the Inaugural Riviera Open in 1960