Nine new holes designed by Tom Fazio at Reynolds Lake Oconee near Atlanta, USA, are ready for grow-in ahead of opening later this year. 

The new holes will be combined with the existing Bluff nine, which is currently part of Fazio’s 27-hole National course, to create the 18-hole Richland course, which will be the seventh at the community. 

Richland’s first five holes will be from the Bluff nine, followed by the nine new holes, including a new ninth green on the lake, before finishing with the remaining four Bluff holes. The land is distinguished by a creek, large boulders and a pond, and has more than 100 feet of elevation change, sloping down to a cove of the lake. 

Most of the fine grading and shaping for the new holes is complete, along with the construction of greens, tees, bunkers and irrigation. Grassing will take place in spring. 

Watch: a video showing the new Tom Fazio-designed holes in construction 

“My goal is always to create distinctive golf courses,” said Fazio. “There’s so many elements that exist at Reynolds, it’s not an accident it’s a quality golf environment. There’s a lot of terrain variation – lots of ups and downs, ins and outs, twists and turns – which is great for golf. I think we have something very special that people are going to love.”

The new Richland course will become the second private course at the community, alongside The Creek Club designed by Jim Engh, accessible only to Reynolds Lake Oconee members.