LAKE OCONEE, GEORGIA

Since its founding as Reynolds Plantation in the 1980s, Reynolds Lake Oconee has become a major golfing destination in Georgia. The posh gated resort community halfway between Atlanta and Augusta quietly dropped the word “plantation” from its name a few years ago. It previously served as a hunting retreat for the Reynolds family, whose old hunting lodge now rests beneath the waters of the reservoir created by Georgia Power in 1979. Today Reynolds has six championship courses, five open to guests of its large and luxurious four-bedroom rental cottages suitable for a family getaway or a multiple couples’ retreat. (The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, is also on site but operates independently of Reynolds Lake Oconee.) Reynolds’ signature course, Great Waters — designed by “The Golden Bear” himself, Jack Nicklaus — opened in 1992. Nicklaus rededicated his waterside masterpiece in 2019 after a major renovation that modernized many elements and expanded the lake views. Beyond the links, Reynolds

is modernizing itself in other regards, appealing to a younger generation that grew up vacationing on the lake who now have kids of their own. Along with an updated culinary program at its 11 restaurants, the focus is on outdoor recreation. The new Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds contains a 20-station sporting clays course, archery range, air rifle range, off-road driving course, and a three-mile hiking trail. Full-service marinas allow for plenty of boating and watersports fun on the lake.

■ REYNOLDS LAKE OCONEE: $869 and up. Green fees $130 and up. 5741 Lake Oconee Parkway, Greensboro. 800-901-1204, reynoldslakeoconee. com/visit.

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