Long before Bend became one of Oregon’s best-known outdoor and resort destinations, golf course architect Robert Muir Graves was already taking a close look at the landscapes of Central Oregon.
Graves would ultimately design several courses in the region, but one of his most interesting projects was River’s Edge Golf Course, located along the Deschutes River just north of downtown Bend. Originally developed as part of the Riverhouse resort and hotel development, River’s Edge was designed to make the most of the dramatic river canyon and high-desert landscape rather than working against it.
Today, River’s Edge operates independently from Riverhouse, but the two properties share a history that dates back to the resort’s original development.
The Career of Robert Muir Graves
Robert Muir Graves began his professional career as a landscape architect before moving into golf course architecture. Over the course of roughly five decades, he designed and renovated more than 75 golf courses across the United States and internationally, with much of his work concentrated in the western United States.
His portfolio included courses in California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada and Utah, as well as projects abroad. He also became an influential teacher and writer on golf course architecture, coauthoring books including with fellow architect Geoffrey Cornish. Graves served as president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in the 1970s.
Graves developed a particular reputation for creating courses that felt connected to their surroundings. The American Society of Golf Course Architects notes that he was especially interested in working with the forests, terrain and natural features of the Pacific Northwest. Rather than treating those features as obstacles to be removed, Graves often incorporated them into the character and strategy of a course.
That approach would prove especially well suited to Central Oregon.
Designing With the Landscape
Graves' work predates much of today's conversation around sustainable golf course design, but many of his principles were consistent with what is now considered environmentally conscious course architecture.
His approach was often to find the golf course within the landscape that already existed. At River's Edge, that meant working with the natural contours of the property, retaining existing trees and rock formations, and using the Deschutes River canyon as a defining feature of the course rather than trying to erase it.
His work at Black Butte Ranch's Big Meadow course is another Central Oregon example of this philosophy. Graves' wife, Mimi, later recalled that the course and resort development were designed with sensitivity to the landscape and wildlife, reflecting her husband's preference for working with natural terrain rather than dominating it.
Graves also had a distinctive eye for natural elements. The American Society of Golf Course Architects notes that he sometimes incorporated large tree stumps into his courses, even using exposed root systems as natural hazards and visual features.
His philosophy was not simply about preserving scenery. Natural features could make a golf course more interesting to play.
The Creation of River's Edge
River's Edge was originally conceived as part of the larger Riverhouse resort development along the Deschutes River. Bend developer Clyde Purcell engaged Graves to design a golf course that would work with the property's natural terrain and river canyon setting.
The course began as a nine-hole project, with the first nine holes opening in 1987. After additional land was acquired, River's Edge expanded to 18 holes in 1992, while the adjoining River House Hotel and Convention Center became the centerpiece of the broader resort development. This resort would evolve into today's Riverhouse Lodge, and even today River's Edge is an integral part of our resort experience.
A Golf Course Shaped by Bend
River's Edge follows the rolling terrain above the Deschutes River canyon, incorporating natural elevation changes, rock formations, trees and views of the surrounding landscape. According to the course's historical account, Graves' team paid close attention to which trees to preserve and how to incorporate existing rock outcroppings into the design.
The river itself became part of the experience, with several holes taking advantage of the canyon and river views. Graves' design also incorporated strategic bunkers and water features into the existing terrain rather than treating the landscape as a blank canvas.
That combination of golf and scenery is part of what makes the course particularly relevant to visitors looking for an outdoor resort experience in Bend. A round at River's Edge is not separated from the Central Oregon landscape—the landscape is a major part of the course.
Graves' Legacy in Central Oregon
River's Edge was just one part of Graves' larger Central Oregon legacy. He also designed Big Meadow at Black Butte Ranch, Widgi Creek in Bend and The Greens at Redmond, among other regional projects. Graves eventually made his home on a ranch outside Bend, where he remained connected to the area until his death in 2003.
His influence remains visible throughout the region's golf landscape. At River's Edge, the current owners have continued efforts to restore the course in keeping with Graves' original vision, including environmental stewardship measures such as preserving natural habitat, conserving water and using native and drought-tolerant plantings. The course is also registered with Audubon International.
For Riverhouse, the connection is a meaningful part of the property's history. What began as a nine-hole golf course within the original Riverhouse development helped establish a resort experience built around the Deschutes River, outdoor recreation and the landscape of Central Oregon.
More than three decades later, that connection between golf, resort travel and the landscape remains one of the defining characteristics of a stay at Riverhouse.