Guide to Masters at Lake Oconee

Locale is the perfect base camp when visiting for the Masters.

There are the tall Georgia pines, the rolling green landscapes and the glints of sunlight on the water. It’s the kind of place that can make the magic of Masters week linger from morning into the evening, before the crowds have filed out of Augusta National and after the day’s final shots have been struck.

All the ingredients are in place. Championship golf courses designed by world-renowned architects. Luxurious dining and lodging options. Breezy patios and terraces.

The atmosphere of Georgia’s biggest golf week lives year-round at Lake Oconee in Greensboro, an ideal basecamp for any Masters trip, thanks to its location halfway between Atlanta and Augusta.

No need to fight for accommodations amid the strip malls of Augusta or make the long drive from Atlanta every day. Home to the expansive Reynolds resort and The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, this area offers the type of environment that only exceptional service delivered in a peaceful location can provide. And plenty of special events coincide with the Masters, set for April 8-14.

Courses abound

Looking for Masters champions? Six-time winner Jack Nicklaus and 1979 champion Fuzzy Zoeller are among those who helped design the five courses at Reynolds Lake Oconee. With terrain features that challenge the experienced golfer and make the game enjoyable for the beginner, the courses at Lake Oconee offer a distinctive experience in a breathtaking natural environment.

The Landing, Preserve, National and Oconee courses are available to those staying at The Ritz-Carlton or in one of the cottages or condos booked through Reynolds Lake Oconee Vacation Rental. The Harbor Club, the only public course in Greene County, has been named one of the top three places to play in Georgia by GolfWeek magazine.

One of just two facilities of its kind in the country, Reynolds Kingdom of Golf Presented by TaylorMade integrates equipment technology with instruction to create a one-of-a-kind haven for guests. From custom club fitting in a former PGA Tour trailer to individual instruction aided by video, the opportunity for improvement abounds.

Unique events

Tucked between pine trees and the shore of Lake Oconee, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds offers something for everyone, from golf courses to family-friendly water sports to quiet places for those who just want to get away. The only luxury hotel within 90 minutes of Augusta National features lakeside cottages and the threestory private Lake House.

During Masters week, The RitzCarlton Reynolds treats visitors to culinary treasures. On April 13 and 14, Linger Longer Steakhouse offers shaved black truffles over any dish and select cuts of Japanese wagyu steak, as well as local favorites like oysters and Georgia pink shrimp. Beginning April 8, the Barrel Room will offer limited Pappy Van Winkle flights featuring 1-ounce pours of 10-, 12- and 15-year-old reserves.

On April 12 and 13, enjoy rare and hard-to-find pre-embargo cigars with private select bourbons and tequilas at the sand bar next to the beach. From April 10-13, select spirits in the Barrel Room will be paired with experiences like wax dipping a bottle of Maker’s Mark or educational tastings of Maestro Dobel tequila.

Exclusive wine pairings and rare cigars will be offered throughout the week. And for the ultimate golf experience, consider the Luxury Masters Package, which includes a four-night cottage stay, two rounds of golf, transportation to and from Augusta for Saturday’s round, private club fitting and an array of other unforgettable experiences.

Getting out in Greensboro

Oconee Brewing Co., an airy, bright space perfect for cold beer and lively conversation after a day at the golf course, will have the Masters on the big screen all week, and live music from Eric Dodd from 7-10 p.m. on April 12. Hours are noon-9 p.m. on the Monday through Thursday of Masters week and noon-10 p.m. on that Friday and Saturday.

Downtown, The Yesterday Cafe will have the Masters on at the bar, where guests can enjoy cocktails called the Azalea or the John Daly, and enjoy local favorites like hot pimento dip. Cafe 44, offering breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, is an ideal spot to grab a coffee and a pastry on the way to Augusta.

And The National Tavern at Reynolds’ National Course has a putting green outside, in case you haven’t had enough golf.

While the Masters is about golf, so much of the allure is about the experience, and there is nothing else like it. Whether you’re headed to the course this year, or simply seeking a memorable retreat closer to the events and action, make the most of the biggest week in golf at Lake Oconee.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY GREENE COUNTY Located halfway between Atlanta and Augusta, Lake Oconee and the surrounding communities feature numerous outdoor activities, locally owned shops and boutiques and championship golf courses.

The National course at Reynolds features three distinct nine-hole layouts fashioned from the richly colored textured “paints” of grass, sand, trees and water found in the hardwood forests and rolling terrain of the region.

Oconee Brewing Co. operates in a renovated cotton mill warehouse, which features a tasting room and a 3,600-square-foot event center.