Riverbend Driving Range

I was driving around town the day before Mother’s day, with golf in the back of my head and I came across Riverbend Driving Range. I didn’t think I was going to hit balls, but I saw this range and pulled in.
I walked in and greeted the nice old fellow in the chair (he was watching hockey) and saw a sign that said «CASH ONLY» and I do not really carry cash on me to much, but anyways I looked and looked and I just came up with enough money to get a small bucket of balls. So, I went to play for the bucket and he said «take a large bucket, play me when you come back»
Now… to see me for the first time ever, struggling to find some money for a bucket, and to upgrade me to a large bucket is very very kind.
Now the range is awesome as well. This was my first time there and I wondered how that was after hitting a bucket there! There is buckets of water and brushes every 15 yards or so to clean your clubs. Grass and mat hitting area, the grass was very nice, and smooth (well taken are of) the mats I didn’t try but looked good from a distance.
The spot on the grass were I was, was directly in line with a row of flags, which made awesome targets when practice different clubs.
The price for the large is the best around that I’ve seen, considering also it is a BIG large bucket: 125 – 135 balls:
Large: $ 7.00
Medium: $ 6.00
Small: $ 5.00 (a good size small)
Now the range balls are very hit or miss, there just a old gathering of lost balls, while some older range balls. But, for $ 7.00 for a large it is well worth it.
Riverbend Driving Range is worth a visit!

I know. Two stars isn’t much. But as a golfer one gets to see a spectrum of ranges and courses, from unbelievable grass tees and new practice balls stacked in neat little pyramids to beat up turf mats with balls that may as well be made of horsehide and chicken feathers. This place is affordable. Very affordable. Two things are missing:
One: the balls have been through a grinder or two. Balls made of equine may very well be better than these balls.
Two: no apparent interest in running this place like a business. There could be a line of customers and sunshine overhead and they will close the doors on you. They stop serving water and Gatorade in October because it’s «end of season» even though there are a dozen golfers requesting hydration. Hello?!
Perhaps a relative will take this place over one day and realize the potential…