After several years in the Southeast, Ric and Debbie Jeffries returned to Eugene in 1988 with the hope of purchasing some land on which to build a driving range. When they saw the 107 acres of rolling countryside adjacent to the Willamette River in north Eugene, however, they decided it was the perfect site for what the area really needed – a regulation 18-hole, public golf course that would provide quality play in a relaxed, natural setting. The Jeffries purchased the land from descendents of the Ayres Family, a farming family whose roots in Eugene date back to 1853.

Designed by Ric Jeffries, the first nine holes opened in 1989 with the second nine following in June of 1990. During the next decade, with the addition of Al Mundle as head instructor, RiverRidge became the Eugene-Springfield center for golf instruction and events. In the early 1990’s, Nellie Sutton, the matriarch of the Ayres Family, agreed with the Jeffries that her property on the east side of Delta Highway would make a great addition to the RiverRidge Complex in the future. The result of their vision was The NINES at RiverRidge opening in June of 2003 - a nine hole par 3, a nine hole executive, a short game practice area and a croquet lawn. The RiverRidge Golf Campus is conveniently located 10 minutes from city center and easily accessible from all points of the compass.

Ric and Debbie Jeffries are not absentee owners. They live on the course and take a hands-on approach to its day-to-day management.

A native Oregonian and a graduate of Oregon State University, Ric has five years of experience on the professional golf tour circuit. He also served as the assistant golf professional, women’s coach, and assistant men’s coach at the University of Alabama while earning a Masters degree. In the 1980's, he was golf director of Seascape Resort in Destin, Florida, and the general manager of resort operations at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville, North Carolina.

Debbie, born and raised in Indiana, graduated from the University of Oregon and earned a Masters degree from Stanford in Physical Therapy and an MBA from the University of Alabama. She has extensive experience in property management and is active in community organizations.