Acclaimed golf course architect Tom Fazio is returning to Reynolds Lake Oconee. The world-famous designer has completed plans for nine holes that will join his existing Bluff nine on The National course to create an entirely new 18-hole layout.
The original, Fazio-designed 18-hole National course opened in 1997. In 2000, its two nines, The Ridge and The Bluff, were joined by an additional nine holes—called The Cove—allowing for various combinations of play.
The existing 27 holes make use of the natural rolling terrain, highlighted by hardwood forests, streams, ponds, and views of Lake Oconee. The combined nines also provide plenty of challenge, with any of the pairings boasting more bunkers than any of the five other courses at Reynolds Lake Oconee. For these and many other reasons, The National course has consistently been cited by Golfweek as one of America’s Top Residential Courses.
The future 18-hole course will utilize the existing Bluff nine along with adjacent land distinguished by a creek, large natural boulders, and an existing pond. The land slopes gradually down toward a cove of Lake Oconee with more than 100 feet of elevation change. This will be the only course at Reynolds Lake Oconee to traverse both sides of the peninsula and touch the lake from both Richland Creek and Oconee River.
“My goal is always to create distinctive, one-of-a-kind golf courses,” says Fazio. “There’s a lot of terrain variation—lots of ups and downs, ins and outs, twists and turns—which is great for golf. That’s what makes this such a fine natural setting.”
The first five holes will use the existing Bluff routing, followed by nine all-new holes, including a new ninth green that will sit along Lake Oconee. The final four holes will connect back to The Bluff.
Fazio adds, “Members will enjoy this golf course because it will have character and never play the same. This new course will provide a challenge and have endless possibilities of capturing your emotions and feelings.”
“We are fortunate that Tom Fazio again applied his vision to Reynolds Lake Oconee to create nine new holes and integrate them with the world-class golf course he originally designed. It’s an honor for our community,” said Robert Merck, global head of real estate at MetLife Investment Management, investment manager of Reynolds Lake Oconee. “Our members and their guests are certain to be challenged and energized by his latest design.”
The new 18-hole experience is projected to open in late 2024 and be private, accessible only to Reynolds Lake Oconee members. With the addition of the new course, Reynolds Lake Oconee will now have seven golf courses with two private 18-hole courses—including this new course and Creek Club —as well as another 90 holes available for member and resort guest play: The National (Fazio), The Landing (Bob Cupp), Great Waters (Jack Nicklaus), The Preserve (Cupp), and The Oconee (Rees Jones).
For more information, access www.reynoldslakeoconee.com/seventh-course.
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