Garden City’s Historic Golf Course Gets World-Class Makeover at The River Club in Idaho
A Garden City, Idaho golf course with more than a century of history is in the final stages of a dramatic transformation, with world-renowned golf course architect Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Design leading the redesign of The River Club’s 18-hole layout. The multimillion-dollar remodel represents the culmination of an eight-year, $10 million-plus investment by California-based ownership group Glass Creek, LLC — and signals continued confidence in the Treasure Valley as a destination for premium amenities and private investment.
A Century-Old Club Gets New Life
The property now known as The River Club operated for more than 100 years as the Plantation Country Club, a fixture of the Garden City community along the Boise River. In 2018, Glass Creek, LLC — a Santa Barbara, California-based company led by Will Gustafson — purchased the aging club with a clear vision for what it could become.
Since the acquisition, Gustafson and his team have poured more than $10 million into the property, upgrading the bar, kitchen, swimming pools, pickleball courts, and bocce ball courts. The actual golf course, however, was deliberately saved for last.
“When we bought it, it was in really bad shape, and we’d fixed everything, we think, other than golf,” Gustafson said. “Bar, kitchen, swimming pools, pickleball courts, bocce ball courts. Now it’s time to re-do the golf course.”
As part of the broader redevelopment, Brighton Homes is developing 250 homes on 20 acres of former club property — a sign of just how dramatically this corner of Ada County is being reimagined. The River Club’s transformation is part of a larger wave of private development reshaping communities across the Treasure Valley, from Moyle Junction’s ambitious new community plan in fast-rising Star to hundreds of homes and a large park planned near the Boise River.
A World-Renowned Architect Brings a High Bar to Idaho
To redesign the golf course, Gustafson turned to a longtime friend with an internationally recognized portfolio: Brian Curley of Schmidt-Curley Design. Based in Arizona and raised on California’s Monterey Peninsula — home to Pebble Beach and some of the most celebrated golf courses in the world — Curley has spent his entire professional career designing courses across the globe.
“My world was the Monterey Peninsula. That’s what I knew of golf. My vision of what golf should look like are the best courses, arguably, in the world,” Curley said. “I was raised with a high bar as what I consider is tolerable, let alone excellent.”
Curley’s career in course architecture traces back to a moment of inspiration in 1975 at Spy Glass in Pebble Beach, where he spotted a logo on a man’s shirt reading “Robert Trent Jones, Senior Golf Course Architect.” It sparked a realization — and a life’s calling.
“You can get paid to design golf courses? That’s a job? It didn’t even occur to me,” Curley recalled.
He went on to learn from legendary designers including Pete Dye and Lee Schmidt, later forming Schmidt-Curley Design with Schmidt. His work spans the United States, China, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Sweden, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Curley was named Architect of the Year in 2011 and has received multiple “Best New Course” awards. He also serves as a course rater for Golf Magazine.
Despite their 30-plus years of friendship, Gustafson said he hired Curley strictly on merit. “Of course, he’s the best there is, otherwise I would have hired somebody else,” Gustafson said.
What the New Course Looks Like
The redesign introduces new raised terrain on the back nine, more rolling topography, and additional water features throughout the layout. One of the most notable changes is the elevation of the 18th hole, which now provides golfers with a view of the Boise River flowing along the back of the property — a feature previously hidden because the course sat too low.
The new layout reflects Curley’s commitment to courses that are both visually striking and strategically interesting. The River Club’s growing membership, Gustafson noted, deserves nothing less than the best — and the redesign is aimed squarely at delivering that standard.
What Comes Next for The River Club and Garden City
The River Club’s golf course remodel is now in its final stages, with Curley making return visits to Idaho to oversee progress. Once complete, the course will join an already-upgraded clubhouse, pools, and recreational amenities — positioning The River Club as one of the premier private club experiences in the Ada County region.
For Garden City residents and Treasure Valley golf enthusiasts, the transformation of this historic property represents a significant private-sector investment in the community — one that required no taxpayer dollars and reflects growing confidence in Idaho’s continued economic strength. Those interested in membership or updates on the course’s completion can contact The River Club directly for more information.