River Birch Golf Course Reopens, Boosts Bamberg County Recreation

River Birch Golf Course, located at 128 Paw Paw Road in Bamberg, has returned to operation under new ownership and management and is being promoted as a community recreation and tourism asset for the county. The public facility, originally opened in 1981 as Paw Paw Country Club and designed by Russell Breeden, is an 18 hole, par 72 layout with four sets of tees, lakes and wooded holes. Those physical features make the course accessible to a range of golfers while offering scenic appeal for visitors.

Management under Enhanced Golf Management and prior ownership changes reported in regional golf outlets have coincided with targeted upgrades to the clubhouse and course operations. The facility has hosted local events including the City of Bamberg scholarship tournament, using golf programming to support community fundraising and student aid. Those events illustrate how a local recreational asset can deliver direct social benefits while generating modest economic activity for nearby businesses.

For Bamberg County, a reopened public course serves multiple economic roles. It provides regular local recreation that improves quality of life for residents, it offers a venue for civic events that circulate spending in lodging, food and retail, and it bolsters the county tourism offer when marketed alongside other local attractions. While precise visitor counts and revenue figures are not publicly detailed, the combination of facility upgrades and event programming aligns with standard rural development strategies that leverage outdoor amenities to attract visitors and support local services.

Looking ahead, sustaining the course as an economic asset will depend on continued investment in maintenance and community partnerships that expand programming beyond casual play. Coordination between the course operator, the city and county economic development efforts could increase tournament play, attract visiting groups and enhance scholarship fundraising. For residents, the restored River Birch facility already restores a civic space that dates back more than four decades, and it adds a tangible resource for leisure, community events and incremental economic activity in Bamberg County.