Reynolds Lake Oconee near Atlanta, USA, has opened the Richland course. Fazio Design created the layout by designing nine new holes and combining them with the existing Bluff nine, which was part of the club’s 27-hole National course.
“There’s a lot of terrain variation – lots of ups and downs, ins and outs, twists and turns, which is great for golf,” said Tom Fazio in a video about the new course. “We love the idea that this new nine blends with the existing nine to create this open space.
"The goal is always to have a golf course that’s compatible to all levels of players, a quality golf experience with the most variety. Members will enjoy this golf course because it has character and will never play the same. This new course will provide a challenge and have endless possibilities for a fun and captivating golf experience.”
The Bluff nine becomes holes one to five and fifteen to eighteen on the new Richland course, with the new nine, holes six to fourteen, has been built on the Richland side of Lake Oconee. Bunkers on the Bluff holes were removed or repositioned, while new bunkers were added or created by combining smaller bunkers to create larger ones. Some greens were also reshaped or moved. The new layout also has fescue-lined fairways and features dramatic elevation changes, doglegs and contoured greens.
Read more about the new holes following the completion of construction.
Richland becomes the seventh 18-hole course in the community, joining six other courses: The National, Creek Club, The Landing, The Preserve, The Oconee and Great Waters, which reopened in 2019 following a renovation by Nicklaus Design.
“Richland adds a seventh distinct playing experience for Reynolds Lake Oconee members, highlighting the talents of Tom Fazio’s design and the topography of the site,” said John Gunderson, president of Daniel Communities, the managing partner for Reynolds Lake Oconee. “It’s tough to imagine a finer collection of golf courses in any community in the country.”