For golf lovers considering a move to Clayton, NC, the question is rarely if there are good courses nearby. It is which one to play first. Johnston County and the surrounding Triangle area are home to some of the most underrated public and semi-private golf in North Carolina, offering everything from championship layouts designed by renowned architects to affordable daily-fee courses that reward repeat play. If you are eyeing 297 Bonaventure Dr in the gated Portofino community, here is the full guide to the golf scene minutes from your front door.
The Neuse Country Club: A 4.5-Star Gem in Your Backyard
The standout course closest to Portofino is The Neuse Country Club, located at 918 Birkdale Dr in Clayton — roughly a 5-minute drive from the community gate. Designed by John LaFoy, this 7,000-yard championship layout has earned a reputation as one of the top-conditioned courses in the state, consistently ranking in the top 5 in North Carolina for course conditions. Golf Digest awarded it a 4.5-star rating, placing it among the best public-access courses in the region.
The Neuse offers six sets of tees, making it playable for every skill level. From the tips, the course stretches 7,000 yards with a slope of 137, challenging even low-handicap players. From the forward tees, it plays 5,100 yards at a slope of 120, comfortable for beginners and seniors. The layout winds through mature hardwoods along the Neuse River floodplain, with water hazards coming into play on several holes and well-bunkered greens that reward strategic shot placement.
The practice facility includes a full driving range with both grass and mat hitting areas, a large putting green, and a short-game area. The clubhouse features a full-service grill and bar, making it easy to grab lunch or a drink after the round. Annual memberships are available for frequent golfers, with reduced rates for Johnston County residents. The course also offers a popular weekday twilight rate that makes after-work rounds both affordable and convenient for Portofino residents.
Riverwood Golf & Athletic Club: 27 Holes Along the Neuse
Just down the road at 400 Riverwood Dr in Clayton, Riverwood Golf & Athletic Club offers a rare 27-hole championship layout designed by David Postlethwait. Opened in 1997 and immediately ranked among the "Top Ten Best New Courses in North Carolina," Riverwood has aged gracefully into one of eastern Johnston County's most popular golf destinations.
The three nines — River, Wood, and Lake — each have a distinct character. The River nine runs along the Neuse River corridor, with elevated tees and dramatic views. The Wood nine threads through a mature forest with tighter fairways that demand accuracy off the tee. The Lake nine plays around a 12-acre lake that comes into play on five holes, requiring both power and precision.
The 27-hole format means you can play 18 holes on a different combination each visit, keeping the course fresh even for frequent players. Riverwood also offers a full practice facility, a swimming pool and athletic club membership option, and an on-site grill. From Portofino, the drive is roughly 6 minutes.
Pine Hollow Golf Club: Affordable, Friendly, and Close
For golfers who want a more relaxed pace and budget-friendly rates, Pine Hollow Golf Club at 3300 E Garner Rd in Clayton is an excellent option. This par-71 course measures 6,583 yards from the back tees and was designed by Maurice Brackett and Bob Moore. Opened in 1968, Pine Hollow has been a Clayton institution for decades.
Pine Hollow is known for its manageable length and forgiving layout, making it ideal for beginners, seniors, and casual players who want to enjoy a round without the pressure of a championship track. The fairways are forgiving, the greens are well-maintained, and the staff is known for their friendly, no-attitude approach. The course offers affordable anytime rates, with even lower prices for Johnston County residents and seniors. Twilight and replay rates make it an excellent value for Portofino residents looking to play frequently without breaking the bank.
Pine Hollow also features a driving range, practice green, and a full-service bar and grill. It is roughly a 12-minute drive from Portofino.
Country Club of Johnston County: Semi-Private Classic
Located at 694 Country Club Rd in nearby Smithfield, the Country Club of Johnston County offers a semi-private experience designed by Ellis Maples, one of North Carolina's most respected golf architects. The course stretches 6,630 yards from the longest tees with a par of 72.
What sets this course apart is its full country club atmosphere without requiring a full private membership. The facility includes a driving range, swimming pool, and tennis courts, making it a true family recreation destination. The course itself winds through gently rolling Johnston County farmland, with several elevated tee shots and well-placed bunkers defining the strategy on each hole.
The Country Club of Johnston County is about 12 miles from Portofino, roughly a 15-minute drive via US 70 and I-40. It is a great option for a weekend round followed by lunch at the clubhouse.
River Ridge Golf Club: A Raleigh Option Minutes Away
For Portofino residents willing to drive 20 minutes, River Ridge Golf Club at 3224 Auburn Knightdale Rd in Raleigh offers an excellent 6,774-yard championship layout. Located just across the Wake County line near Knightdale, River Ridge features wide fairways, large greens, and a layout that rewards aggressive play. The course also offers a top-notch practice facility and a popular on-site restaurant. It is reachable from Portofino via US 70 in about 17 minutes.
Portofino's 7+ miles of nature trails connect to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Neuse River Greenway, offering a different kind of outdoor recreation right at home.
What This Means for Residents of 297 Bonaventure Dr
One of the hidden advantages of living in Portofino is the concentration of quality golf within a 15-minute radius. Most Triangle neighborhoods with this kind of golf access come with a significant premium, but Portofino's location in eastern Johnston County puts you near four top-tier courses at a home price that would be hard to match in Wake County.
For residents of 297 Bonaventure Dr, the golf lifestyle is a complement to everything else the home and community offer. A morning round at The Neuse or Riverwood is a 5-minute drive from your half-acre lot. After the round, you are back home to enjoy your screened-in back porch, chef's kitchen, and wooded privacy. On days you are not playing, Portofino's own resort-style amenities — two pools, 7+ miles of nature trails, tennis courts, and an equestrian center — keep you active and engaged without ever leaving the community.
The walk-in crawl space at 297 Bonaventure Dr is also worth a practical mention for golfers: it provides excellent, accessible storage for clubs, bags, push carts, and seasonal gear — a feature most homes at this price point simply do not offer.
A Golf Cart-Friendly Community
Portofino itself is designed with golf cart access in mind. The community's wide, paved roads, low speed limits, and direct trail connections make it easy to store your cart at home and use it for trips to the pool, clubhouse, or even short hops to nearby destinations. While you will still drive to the courses, having a golf cart at home turns the Portofino community into its own small resort — a lifestyle perk that resonates with golf enthusiasts and non-golfers alike.
Beyond the Links: Outdoor Recreation at Portofino
Not every day needs to be on the course. Portofino's 7+ miles of nature trails, two resort-style pools, fishing pond, tennis courts, and direct access to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail provide year-round recreation for the whole family. The Neuse River is minutes away for kayaking and paddleboarding, and the equestrian center adds another layer of outdoor lifestyle that sets Portofino apart from every other community in the Triangle.
After a day on the course or the trails, the screened-in back porch at 297 Bonaventure Dr is the perfect spot to unwind. Surrounded by wooded privacy on your half-acre lot, with the evening light filtering through the trees, it is the kind of quiet reward that makes the Portofino lifestyle so special.
Want to see the lifestyle for yourself?
Schedule a private tour of 297 Bonaventure Dr and experience everything Portofino has to offer. Bring your clubs — The Neuse Country Club is just 5 minutes away.
Book a consultation with Phil Slezak
Call: 919-899-2320
Email: info@philslezak.com
Phil leads one of the top-producing real estate teams in the Greater Triangle and Brunswick County areas — with over $100 million in sales.