Seventh Golf Course Unveiled; Designed by Tom Fazio
Acclaimed golf course architect Tom Fazio has returned to Reynolds Lake Oconee to unveil Richland, a new 18-hole layout crafted from nine holes on his existing National Course (Bluff) combined with nine freshly designed holes built on adjacent land distinguished by a creek, large natural boulders, and an existing pond. The resulting layout provides plenty of challenge, with numerous bunkers, elevation changes, and lake views.
“My goal is always to create distinctive, one-of-a-kind golf courses,” says Fazio. “There’s a lot of terrain variation—lots of ups and downs, ins and outs, twists and turns—which is great for golf. That’s what makes this such a fine natural setting.”
The existing Bluff holes—with some recent modifications—are now holes 1 through 5 and 15 through 18. The all-new holes comprise numbers 6 to 15.
Hole 9
Fazio added, “Members will enjoy this golf course because it will have character and never play the same. This new course will provide a challenge and have endless possibilities of capturing your emotions and feelings.”
The new 18-hole experience is private, accessible only to Reynolds Lake Oconee Platinum members. With the addition of the new course, Reynolds Lake Oconee now boasts seven 18-hole courses, including two privates (Fazio’s Richland and Creek Club by Jim Engh), as well as another 90 holes available for member and resort guest play: The National (Fazio), The Landing (Bob Cupp), Great Waters (Jack Nicklaus), The Preserve (Cupp), and The Oconee (Rees Jones).
Richland Pointe Community
The new Richland course meanders through the Reynolds Lake Oconee community of Richland Point, which opened three years ago and has enjoyed tremendous success with each release of lakefront, lake access, golf, and wooded homesites. The demand for homes throughout RLO remains strong, with additional homesites and cottages scheduled to become available over the next three years.
The community’s hub is Richland Pointe Village, which boasts a 160-seat restaurant with a 52-foot wraparound bar offering lake views and an eclectic menu with global influences. A full-service spa and state-of-the-art wellness and fitness center are in an adjacent building. An outdoor event lawn fronts the lake and two magnificent infinity-edge pools seem to fall off into the lake.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
Directly across the lake, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is a great place to visit and, literally, dip a toe in the water of this residential resort community 70 minutes from Atlanta. Visit here, play here, live here.
The resort has recently undergone renovations, with a newly reimagined 27,000-square-foot destination spa, the all-new clandestine “speakeasy” lounge called Oconee Cove, and a refreshed lobby lounge and bar. These upgrades help the resort further define modern lakeside luxury, creating an unparalleled oasis for relaxation, rejuvenation, and refined indulgence.
The Spa
With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to holistic wellness, the spa’s 19 treatment rooms, expansive indoor pool, and state-of-the-art gym await resort guests. Inspired by the beauty of the lakeside environment, design elements include a soothing palette of neutral textured walls, natural stone, gray oak, brass accents, and forest green tiles, paying tribute to the lush splendor of the resort’s surroundings.
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee also invites guests to experience additional wellness-led activities with a rotating schedule including water meditation, lakeside yoga, guided hikes, and more. For a deeper wellness journey, the spa will unveil a dedicated “wellness retreat” in 2025 including a multi-day workshop of curated spa treatments, wellness activities, keynote speakers, and more.
Oconee Cove
Just off the resort’s lobby, hidden behind what appears to be a library, is the new 24-seat lounge Oconee Cove. Discreet and elegant, Oconee Cove looks like a stately home reading room while evoking the unmistakable charm and sophistication of a Prohibition speakeasy. This step back in time is adorned with deep-forest-green walls, rich leather furniture, gold accents, and low, as well as a wall-full of the finest bottles of bourbon, scotch, gin, and tequila.
