Reynolds Plantation- Oconee Course

Oconee GC-  hole 17Oconee GC- hole 17

Reynolds Plantation is a large residential and resort development an hour east of Atlanta, Georgia.

It includes 6 golf courses- all designed by leading architects in rolling terrain along the shoreline of Lake Oconee.

 

The courses are:

- Reynolds Landing designed by Bob Cupp

- Reynolds Plantation designed by Bob Cupp

- Great Waters designed by Jack Nicklaus

- The National- 27 holes designed by Tom Fazio

- Oconee designed by Rees Jones

- Creek Club (private) designed by Jim Engh

 

Oconee Course

Oconee-  hole 12Oconee- hole 12

The Oconee Course at Reynolds Plantation was designed by Rees Jones and opened for play in 2002.

Jones returned 10 years later for a significant renovation cutting back trees and reworking the greens.

The Oconee course is generally regarded as being the second best course at Reynolds Plantation behind Great Waters.

Set in pine trees by the lake, and routed through rolling terrain, Rees Jones has designed a modern strategic course with in a lovely setting.

 

Before Reynolds Plantation we had spend a number of weeks heading through North Carolina and Georgia visiting the premier courses- many of which occupied similar terrain to that at Reynolds Plantation.

Perhaps is was a harsh comparison, but for whatever reason the front nine at Oconee left me a little flat and unimpressed.

Nice? yes

Well designed? Yes, but lacking the interest or excitement we had come to expect.

The downhill par 3 fifth hole, and the lakeside par 4 ninth hole were the exceptions- both very good holes...

 

However everything changed in the back nine where the interest levels peaked.

Rocky creeks dominated the par 4 holes at 12 & 16, and the lakes were very much in play and dominated the outlook on holes 15, 17 & 18.

Add a dramatic downhill par 3 at hole thirteen and you have a very strong nine which has my vote for the best nine at Reynolds Plantation.

With azaleas and the occasional dogwood in bloom the back nine is both pretty and interesting, and a decent test of golf.

 

Notable holes include:

 

- hole 5, a downhill par 3 with water in play around the right side of the green

- hole 9, a long par 4 with water in play all the way down the right side of the hole

 

Oconee- hole 5Oconee- hole 5

Oconee- hole 9Oconee- hole 9

 

 

- hole 12- a dogleg par 4 with rocky creek in play off the tee and  adjacent to the green ( see picture mid article)

- hole 13, a long downhill par 3 with many fingered bunkers dominating the outlook on the tee

 

Oconee-  hole 13Oconee- hole 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- hole 15, a mid length par 3 to a green on a promontory with lake long and left

- hole 16, a strong uphill par 4 with rocky creek bisecting the fairway and causing plenty of anguish in front of the green

 

Oconee- hole 15Oconee- hole 15

Oconee- hole 16Oconee- hole 16

 

 

- hole 17, a downhill par 5 through the pine trees to a very picturesque green sited in front of the lake and bridge ( see pic top of page)

 

The Oconee course starts out slowly but if you persevere you will be rewarded- the back nine is quite excellent!

 

Members and residents of Reynolds Plantation are quite spoiled with 6 quality courses at their disposal.

Oh, to be a member!

It is also a nice place to stay, and a good base for trips to The Masters.

 

 

Enquiries

Please contact us if you have an interest in a golf tour including The Oconee Course at Reynolds Plantation.

The Travelling Golfer can tailor trips to suit your group!

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