The Golfography Experience is usually filled with a plethora of smiling faces. However, this time around we only had two grinning mugs. Channing Benjamin, and myself embarked on a scouting report for an upcoming Experience at Reynolds Lake Oconee. This southern golf powerhouse is located about an hour and a half east of Atlanta which is just about halfway to Augusta National.
This prime location makes Reynolds a popular spot for Masters patrons and tee times that week are in high demand. The smart move is to schedule a visit outside of the Masters feeding frenzy. We got a look at a post Masters / pre summer situation in order to generate the official scouting report below.
1. Great Waters
Built on 12,000 acres of lakefront property, Reynolds delivers 6 golf courses worthy of your attention. Heading up this quadruple golf threat is the Great Waters course. This Jack Nicklaus signature design was added to Reynolds’ portfolio in 1992 and almost always finds its way onto various Top 100 public golf course lists.
The front nine at Great Waters heads inland and treats the golfer to a multitude of compelling golf holes. This is quality Jack Nicklaus design and each hole is a pleasure to explore. Eventually the 9th hole bursts out onto the lake and starts the Great Waters experience that the course is know for. The entire back nine unfolds on the shores of Lake Oconee. This is a true treat for both the golfer and the photographer… a Golfography delight!
2. The National
Why enjoy 18 holes of Tam Fazio golf when you can enjoy 27 holes of Tom Fazio golf? The National delivers exactly that with a set of 3 distinct 9 hole options for play. The Ridge, Bluff and Cove nines all offer a different experience with a consistent flow between all 3. The National also provides a small marketplace, restaurant and lodging. It is the ideal place to set up shop for your Reynolds experience.
Channing finds the green on the par 3 3rd on the Ridge nine.
While the Great Waters course receives the majority of the accolades, you’d be a fool to sleep on The National. The 4th hole on the Cove nine delivers one of the best par 5’s on the property and the downhill 6th offers striking views. The 8th hole on the Bluff course inspires memories of Vegas’ Shadow Creek and the finishing stretch on the Ridge course offers a strong finish to the round.
The 6th hole on the Cove nine
The 8th hole on the Bluff is one of my favorites.
3. The Oconee
This Rees Jones design offers some of the most inspiring views at Lake Oconee. With some strong inland holes to start the round, the scenery goes up a notch for the finishing stretch. The 15th offers a lake front a peninsula type green extending out into the lake, at 175 its a tester of a golf shot. The 16th is the 2nd strongest par 4 on the golf course and requires a well struck tee ball and approach shot over a babbling brook. I was able to confirm babbling. The 17th offers your last good chance for birdie if you can manage to keep it in the fairway.
Then you arrive at the spectacular 18th. At 466 yards from the back tees, the golfer is presented with an opportunity to make or break their round. Please consider these two very different outcomes from Channing and myself.
Channing: Pounds drive into the middle of the fairway. Hits 5 wood into middle of the green. Makes easy par.
Patrick: Duck hooks drive into lake. Hits second drive into trees by the lake. Takes drop. Hits 5th shot into green side bunker. Makes 8.
Even though Channing and I left the green with two different facial expressions, we both agreed that 18th hole was something special.
The 17th and it’s babbling brook.
The 15th hole at Oconee
The par 5 17th with the 18th looming in the distance
Bird’s eye view of the 18th
4. The Preserve
This Bob Cupp design is probably the most player friendly course at Oconee. At 6674 yards, the Preserve takes advantage of the natural topography, small ponds, and undulations that exist on the property. It’s a nice addition to the bountiful lineup of golf at Oconee.
In 2016, The Preserve added a fun little twist to their golf course by setting up the “Quick Six.” In about an hour, visiting golfers can play a six hole routing that already exists within the lineup. Fun math fact: With each hole measuring less than 130 yards the fun level goes up exactly 130%.
Channing stuffs his approach on #2
The uphill par 3 17th at the Preserve
5. The Creek Club
The Creek Club is the only course at Oconee that is not open to the general public. Jim Engh has imagined another bold design that is sure to pique the interest of the golfer that is fortunate enough to secure a tee time. This 2007 addition to the resort features the bunkering and imaginative style of Jim Engh. With one look at The Creek Club, memories of Hawktree, Black Rock and Fossil Trace come to mind.
6. The Landing
Debuting in 1986, The Landing is the original course at Reynolds. This Bob Cupp design opened to critical acclaim and was recently renovated in 2013. Landing your golf ball on the greens of The Landing should be a part of any respectable visit to Oconee.
The Kingdom
What good is a top notch golf destination if your ball is going straight into the lake with every swing? Fortunately, the folks at Oconee have you covered with Taylor Made’s state of the teaching and custom fitting arrangement. The Kingdom at Oconee is one of only two facilities in the country and provides the golfer with an equipment and instruction experience like none other.
Channing and I had a brief meeting after our scouting activities had concluded and officially announced that Reynolds Oconee is approved for the Golfography Experience. With a serious lineup of 6 premier golf courses, this event is sure to be one of the most riveting events of the year.