2014 marked an incredible year for Reynolds Lake Oconee and its residents and club members. As we say goodbye to this year and celebrate the New Year, let’s look back at 10 memorable moments here at Reynolds Lake Oconee in 2014.
1. 2014 was an award-winningaward-winning year for Reynolds Lake Oconee.
- One of ten properties, Reynolds Lake Oconee was selected for the prestigious Platinum Medal by GOLF Magazine in March 2014, acknowledging the resort community’s picturesque location, gracious Southern stylings, updated accommodations, and recent series of golf course renovations.
- The Infinity Pool at the Lake Club was recognized with the Merit Award from the Tri-State American Society of Landscape Architects in April 2014. The unique qualities of the Infinity Pool earned this member amenity the top honors by integrating the lake view experience, and taking full advantage of the hillside through creating a reflective upper terrace pool and lower cascade pool.
- Reynolds Lake Oconee was honored by GOLF Magazine with two courses on its “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list, and four on its list of “Best Courses Near You.” Leading the list of honors was the Great Waters course ranked No. 46 on the Top 100 nationally and the Oconee course ranked at No. 67. On the “Best Courses Near You” Top 15 list for Georgia, Reynolds Lake Oconee captured four spots, more than any other venue in the South – Great Waters at No. 2, Oconee at No. 4, National at No. 5, and The Landing at No. 11.
- Adding a new award to its resume, the Oconee golf course was recently named to the Golfweek magazine list of the nation’s “Best Resort Courses” for 2015. The Rees Jones design debuts at No. 46 in the rankings, one of only two Georgia destination golf venues selected.
- LINKS Magazine ranked Reynolds Lake Oconee among its 2014 Best of the Best list of the nation’s top communities. Reynolds was recognized among those with “top-of-the-line amenities, unique experiences, and lasting memories for discerning residents who expect nothing but the best.”
-Travel + Leisure recently ranked The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee among its prestigious 2015 ranking of the 500 Best Hotels in the World. Reynolds Lake Oconee residents are fortunate to call this world-class facility their “sixth clubhouse.”
2. The National golf course receives a major faceliftmajor facelift.
-Reopening on April 3, 2014 after a nine month renovation period, the putting greens throughout the National course were converted from bentgrass to Champion Dwarf Bermudagrass – all 27 of them! With this conversion, the National became the 4th course with Bermudagrass at Reynolds Lake Oconee, making this Tom Fazio-design more sustainable during warmer months.
3. TaylorMade Golf hosts the 15-Inch Cup Event15-Inch Cup Event at the Oconee golf course.
-PGA TOUR stars Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia headlined a group of golf industry leaders the Monday after the Masters for a 15-inch cup tournament hosted by TaylorMade Golf. This event marked the kickoff of the company’s commitment to support Hack Golf in alliance with the PGA of America in hopes of making the sport more fun for new players.
4. The Landing golf course has a starring role in MetLife commercialsMetLife commercials.
-MetLife’s Premier Client group shot two commercial spots at The Landing – one on the fairway and waterfront green of Hole #4 and the other on the back porch of the Landing clubhouse overlooking the practice area. The day-long shoot showcased one of the members’ favorite courses beautifully on the big screen.
5. Reynolds Lake Oconee welcomed its first community gardencommunity garden.
-Starting with only fifteen gardeners and eight raised beds in April 2014, members brought the concept of “Farm to Table” to life at Reynolds Lake Oconee. The garden is a combination of vegetable and flower plots, each maintained self-sufficiently by residents with great pride. A celebratory luncheon was held in May right inside the fenced in garden area where the group gathered to toast to the success of their beds.
6. Summer Kids CampsSummer Kids Camps reached record numbers.
-With so many kids camps to choose from, what child wouldn’t want to spend their summer at Reynolds Lake Oconee. Reynolds Adventurers, Tiny Tikes, Golf and Tennis camps, Soccer camp – just to name a few – all were filled with kids eager to play, challenge their creative minds and learn some new skills all at the same time.
This year, Golf Operations introduced a new, third camp option to provide junior golfers who have progressed beyond a basic introduction the opportunity to benefit from additional skill building and course management development. This camp benefited competitive juniors and children who have played multiple rounds on a regulation course.
Reynolds Lake Oconee also introduced its Tiny Tike Adventurer Camp focused on kids aged 2-5 that includes crafts, games, stories and play time. This new camp gave our tiniest members a chance to jump in on the fun that our Adventurers enjoy on a regular basis.
7. “Red, White and Boom!”“Red, White and Boom!” celebration has record number of attendees.
-Over 1500 people gathered on the rolling lawn outside of the Great Waters clubhouse to take part in one of the longest-running traditions of Reynolds Lake Oconee. The annual “Red, White and Boom!” Independence Day celebration combined all the excitement of a modern-day amusement park with the relaxed atmosphere of an old-fashioned picnic, followed by thousands of bright fireworks igniting the night sky.
8. The Inaugural Big Break InvitationalBig Break Invitational at Reynolds Lake Oconee.
-Forty former competitors from Golf Channel’s popular Big Break series went head-to-head in full tournament conditions for the first time this fall at the Great Waters golf course. The four-day invitational tournament aired live on Golf Channel Tuesday, September 30 – Friday, October 3, helping to put Reynolds Lake Oconee back in the national spotlight.
9. The new Waterview PubWaterview Pub at Great Waters.
-Considered a soft opening, the newly renovated Great Waters snack bar welcomed tournament participants, spectators, Club members and residents each day for some celebratory fun during Big Break Invitational. The Waterview Pub “officially” opened its doors to club members, residents and guests in mid-October, expanding from just snacks and drinks to a “grab and go” menu and a fully stocked bar with a unique selection of local and national craft beers.
10. The National VillageThe National Village breaks ground.
-After a nine month renovation to the National golf course, an entirely new amenity is underway and promises to be a distinctive addition to the community. Drawing inspiration from a vintage southern homestead, the National Village complex will include a golf shop, a cart storage facility, an event lawn, and The Tavern restaurant. The golf shop and cart storage facility are both projected to open in the spring of 2015 with The Tavern to shortly follow.
