From the tee at the 15th hole at Beaver River Golf Club in West Kingston, R.I., golfers can see the green located 190 yards away at the bottom of a hillside. It’s the club’s signature hole, a par three requiring golfers to negotiate the slope and avoid two bunkers.

It’s not the only hole that requires some strategizing before you tee off. Beaver River Golf Club is a shorter course, measuring only 6,006 yards with a total par of 70. But water hazards, sudden elevation changes, and formidable approaches make the course intriguing at any skill level.

“It’s challenging for all handicaps,” says John A. Gale, owner and operator of Beaver River Golf Club. “It’s a good course for beginners as well as pros.”

Gale has been in the golf industry since 1973. He owns the Cedar Knob Golf Course in Somers, and was looking around the region for another course to purchase in 2001. He chose Beaver River Golf Club due to its design, natural beauty, and proximity to the shoreline. Temperatures often remain mild there, allowing the course to stay open year round if weather conditions permit.

The 18-hole course has an “outside inside” layout. While many courses separate their front nine and back nine, Beaver River Golf Club has its front nine located on the perimeter of the course and the back nine located on the interior.

The course is distinguished by well-maintained fairways, bunkers, and bent grass greens. Each hole also features picturesque natural features such as towering trees, exposed rock ledge, flowering shrubs, and rolling hills, helping golfers feel more serene during a game.

The doglegs and elevation changes on many holes require you to carefully consider your shot before taking it. The approach to the eighth hole veers sharply to the right, requiring golfers to plan for this change if they want to make the par of four strokes. The next hole requires some planning as well.

“The ninth hole has a lot of character,” Gale says. “It’s also a par four, which hangs to the left and includes an elevation drop of at least 45 feet.”

Beaver River Golf Club is a public course with affordable rates. Reasonable annual membership is offered, and discounts are available for college students, seniors, and military personnel.

Members of the Beaver River Inner Club enjoy benefits such as preferred tee times, competitive tournaments, and camaraderie. Evening leagues are also hosted at the club, as well as a Tuesday Ladies League. Interest in other leagues and tournaments is always welcomed, and the pro shop is eager to accommodate golfers in reserving dates and times.

While challenging, the course can often be finished in under four hours. Gale says this allows you to easily fit a game of golf into your busy schedule, or to simply relax at the 4,500-square-foot clubhouse after the 18th hole.

The pro shop at the clubhouse includes a mix of merchandise, such as windbreakers, golf shoes, and hand warmers. The items for sale are frequently rotated to offer a good mix, and clubs can be specially ordered.

The clubhouse is also home to the River Tavern, which has a full bar and pub menu. You can enjoy your drinks and food on the wraparound porch, which has a view of the final holes of the course. The porch also gets a cooling breeze, making it the perfect place to sit back on a warm summer afternoon.

“My staff and I try to provide the best golfing conditions and experience possible,” says Gale. “It’s important to us that each golfer has the opportunity to leave their problems behind for three or four hours. To me, that’s what golf is all about. We think the course and its amenities are well worth a try. We are always happy to see new faces at Beaver River Golf Club.”

 Beaver River Golf Club is located at 343 Kingstown Road in West Kingston, R.I. For more information, visit beaverrivergolf.com or call 401-539-2100.