The new18-hole course utilizes 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 ,” said 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 .”
In 1997 , the original , Fazio-designed 18-hole National Course opened . 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 .
The first five holes of the new Richland course 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 .
The new 18-hole experience opened in late 2024 and is private , accessible only to Reynolds Lake Oconee members . With the addition of the new course , Reynolds Lake Oconee now has seven golf courses with two private 18-hole courses — including the new Richland course and the 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 ). As can be seen by this list of designers , Reynolds serves as a Greatest Hits of the contemporary golf course designers .
The Landing pioneered the golf industry on Lake Oconee when the Bob Cupp design opened in 1986 ( originally as Port Armor Golf Club ), the first course along the lake .
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