The River Hills Country Club has had a rich and varied history. The story of its origins and development goes back to start in the 1960’s. The Club and the River Hills Community in which it has prospered are integral and important parts of the growing and attractive Lake Wylie Community of York County.

In 1937 Curtis B. Johnson, owner of the Charlotte Observer, purchased 123 acres just south of the Buster Boyd Bridge and established the Charlotte Observer Fresh Air Camp, Inc. (now Camp Thunderbird). Johnson built a large summerhouse for him and his wife on eleven and eight tenth acres adjoining the camp. He had a passion for wild ducks and collected many varieties, clipping their wings so they couldn't fly away. He built "the duck pond,” a brick reservoir still visible in the lake, to contain them.

In the late 1940's, the Johnson family offered the property for sale. Wilson Lewith, a Charlotte textile machinery businessman, had a summer place on the east shore of Lake Wylie. He and his friends would regularly cruise the lake, and they would discuss how nice it would be to have a place on the lake where boating enthusiasts could get together. When Lewith heard the Belk property was for sale, he visualized it as the ideal place for a Yacht Club and convinced a friend, Maurice Weinstein, to join him in the purchase. On May 12, 1960, the Belk interests were deeded over to their Marine Development Corporation. The new owners converted the Belk Mansion into a clubhouse and organized the Commodore Club; one hundred fifty covered boat slips were built in Commodore Cove. A bar and an epicurean restaurant were set up in the converted mansion; and the cottage by the duck pond was turned into a lunch and snack bar. A fire had destroyed the Belk Quonset hut prior to the sale of the property. So, in its place, the Commodore Club built a brick building for large gatherings with a wall of windows facing the lake. Its large open hall, known as the Regatta Room (now Thunderbird's dining hall), had banquet and kitchen facilities and served as a meeting room, a ballroom, or a dining room for private parties. The Club soon had over 350 members and developed a social calendar unparalleled in the Charlotte area which caused it to be recognized as one of the finest marina clubs in the Southeast.

The Commodore Club became such a center of social and recreational activity that Lewith and his associates reasoned it might be profitably expanded into a residential golf course development and country club. They approached other members of the Charlotte business community to help finance the venture. In 1967 they made a deal with Dr. Robert A. Moore who owned 357 acres including a small marina (Pier 88) in a cove just west of Commodore Point (now the site of the River Hills Marina). The Commodore Development Group also purchased land from Crescent Land and Timber, the land management arm of the Duke Power Company. Altogether they amassed 884 acres. In 1968 they hired golf architect Williard Byrd along with Walter Reynolds, then head Golf Professional at the Carolina Country Club, to develop a tournament level golf course. They also hired a civil engineering group to develop a land-use plan to layout residential lots and roads around the golf course. Groundbreaking for the golf course took place in mid-1968. In November 1969, the Commodore Yacht and Country Club golf course opened for play. By early 1970, the overall project was well underway. Lewith and his associates were ready to sell lots. They approached Pentes Designs and Jerry Smith about developing a marketing program. Smith was so impressed with the potential of the project he contacted Charles Fraser, the developer of Sea Pines at Hilton Head Island, and suggested he consider the project for development as the first non-coastal Sea Pines Plantation. Fraser inspected the property and immediately began negotiations to buy out Lewith’s group.

River Hills Plantation, a Sea Pines Community, was born. By April 1971, Sea Pines Development was in control, and the construction of the infrastructure and the amenities of River Hills began in earnest. Sea Pines’ golf professionals made major changes in the original golf course plan. Construction was started on the front gate guardhouse and a combined golf pro shop and property sales building. The old Commodore Yacht Club swimming pool was opened to all property owners, and the "Crow’s Nest" was made available for private meetings and parties. The Sea Pines planners defined their goals as "A Way of Life" rather than a subdivision. While the plans for roads, utilities, and security were being developed, other planners were working on community amenities such as golf and tennis facilities, a marina, a game room, a general store, and restaurants. On June 10, 1972, with great fanfare, Sea Pines held the Grand Opening of the River Club. All current property owners were invited to come and bring their friends. A one and one-quarter million-dollar plan for Moore's Landing was unveiled. It called for the removal of the old Commodore Yacht Club docks on Commodore Point. Moore's Landing, named for Dr. Moore, was to be the site of a marina with covered boat slips and a gas dock . . . now the River Hills Marina. Also included in the plan was a racquet club with seven lighted clay tennis courts and a pro shop. Completing the Moore's Landing complex were three buildings: a convenience store with a bar and sandwich shop, a shower and locker room for boaters, and a Recreation/Club Room for community meetings, classes, and general socializing.

In late 1972, at the request of the River Hills Plantation Company, The River Club membership elected an Advisory Board of Directors to facilitate communication between the Club and the Company. By 1975 the River Club had over 300 members. As provided for in the Property Buyers Guide, the membership made an offer to the Company to buy the Clubhouse, the golf facilities, and the tennis complex. This offer set off a long-term negotiation between Sea Pines, their lender GMI, and at least two separate groups of club members. By the end of 1976, these negotiations were still unproductive. An economic downturn had left the River Hills Plantation Company with no equity. GMI officials wanted to sell their interest to the members if an acceptable price could be negotiated. The members were able to arrange the necessary financing to meet GMI's final price; and the operational turnover of the club was finalized on June 14, 1977. Bylaws were adopted by the membership and the name was changed from the River Club to the River Hills Country Club, Inc.