Whether you’re seeking a full-time program, a weekend stay-and-play option, or a weekly clinic to brush up on your backhand, Reynolds Lake Oconee offers you the complete package, no matter your level or style. The Lake Club features a comfortable, fully-staffed pro-shop that’s home to two full-time professionals under the direction of Peter Burwash International. Dave Neuhart, Director of Tennis, and James Derrick ensure that anyone who visits Reynolds receives the experience they deserve. Neuhart’s attention to his members and impressive experience creates an atmosphere that you just won’t be able to find elsewhere. Under his direction for the past 12 years, guests become locals who become members, which strengthens the already closely-knit tennis community of Reynolds. Neuhart, along with James and Barbara Voyles of the tennis concierge service, have the ability to make you feel welcome and at home at the Lake Club, no matter if you’re visiting a friend or a long-time member.
If you choose to visit or live at Reynolds Lake Oconee, you are among countless others who have the same passion for tennis that you do. Membership is a requirement for court time at Reynolds, unless you are renting a condo, staying at The Ritz Carlton Reynolds Lake Oconee, or a guest of a member. When renting through Reynolds guests services, you will be able to use the courts as part of your stay. If you are a guest at The Ritz, you will be prompted for an activities package, which automatically ensures court time, free demo rackets and new balls unless you opt-out for the golf option. While staying at The Ritz, you can also plan a tennis package deal for one day, weekend or week option. Condo and cottage rentals also offer tennis packages with anywhere from 4-8 hours of tennis included. USTA and ALTA teams take serious advantage of these deals to experience a “home away from home” feel while still working on their games.
As far as membership goes, you must own property or a home in Reynolds to become a member. There are three levels of membership: social, and two other levels which depend how many golf courses you would like access to. All levels of membership can play tennis! With over 2,500 homes and almost 100 more currently being built, your next doubles partner or teammate is right around the corner. Members can have up to three guests participate in drills and clinics for a fee.
The majority of programming occurs at the Lake Club Tennis Center, but Great Waters, The Landing and Linger Longer Park/ The Plantation Park each have two courts, with Great Waters offering clay courts and The Landing featuring three additional pickleball courts. All court areas have room for expansion, so the action you see on site won’t be ending any time soon. The hard courts are resurfaced every five years while the clay courts see annual resurfacing to ensure you’re receiving the highest level of play every single time you use the courts.
Adults:
Reynolds offers six clinics each week for all levels, with options for everyone among the mix, and weekend clinics are geared more towards ratings and skill level strategies. Weekly clinics offer items such as “Starting off Strong” (serves/ returns), “Fighting Forehands,” “Battling Backhands,” “Beginners,” “Come in and Win” (net play), and “Advanced.” Weekends feature 3.5 and above drills or 3.0 and below. Ladies Night Out on the second Tuesday of every month during the warmer months allows for a competitive yet quaint evening for you and the girls. Seniors enjoy drills for men on Mondays and Ladies on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Monthly mixers, like the St. Patty’s Day season opener, entice members to spend a day at the Lake Club center enjoying competitive, seasonal tennis in an organized setting. The St. Patty’s Day mixer sees over 60 players for five hours of team tennis on the Saturday around the March holiday; the perfect excuse to celebrate while you exercise! Events like this mixer often includes an awards luncheon, dinner or gala. Mixed Doubles attracts members on the third Friday of every month; oftentimes a pontoon ride and dinner following court time take place for the attendees. The Golf and Tennis Challenge sees extreme crowds with six Round Robin tennis matches rolled into one Friday before nine holes of golf. An incredible outing for all involved. The Member- Guest Tournament attracts all members to give it their all when over 85 players enter the draw. A pre-party before this spring event and an engaging tournament keeps members yearning for this annual event. The Reynolds Club Championships in the Fall divides singles and mixed doubles into one weekend and gender-specific doubles into another. Three matches are guaranteed at the championships, and members always bring their best to this function. Pro Exhibitions engage members to cheer on the tennis pros in some friendly doubles competition along with a casual brunch and golf event. Currently in the works are inter-club championships with both Cherokee and Dunwoody Country Club closer to Atlanta. Players of all levels will be able to involve themselves in even more competition with their Atlanta-based tennis friends and foes.
Other annual events include but are not limited to a Member Tennis Appreciation Banquet, Easter Round Robin, Masters Week Tennis Activities, Masters Mixed Doubles Round Robin, Memorial Day Tennis Events, Woodies and Whites Mixed Doubles, July 4th Round Robin, and a Labor Day Round Robin.
League play surely appeals in Reynolds, with anywhere from 10-20 USTA teams, depending on the season.
For those looking to take their skills from Reynolds to another destination, the PBI tennis professionals offer 4-day getaways to Naples, FL, with other international sites, including a Wimbledon package, currently in the works. During your time in Naples, your package includes your room and tennis clinics with play in the morning and afternoon. Other players from PBI locations around the world pinpoint Naples for their getaways as well, so you will enjoy competition from many areas of the world.
Juniors:
Junior tennis players can maximize their skills and grow to their full potential with the activities offered at the Lake Club Tennis Center. Pee Wee tennis, Future Stars, and the Challengers group center their focus on the individual junior members. Pee Wee and Future Stars tennis classes take place on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, and the Challengers group occurs on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Juniors also enjoy seasonal events like the Junior Camps Tennis Challenge and Pizza in June, the Labor Day Junior Tennis Clinics, and more. Summer camps during June through August see dozens of skilled players showing their talents at the Linger Longer Park courts. With over 30 juniors among the regular programming, your player can always find a perfect fit for their age range and skill level.
Lake Oconee Academy, conveniently located around the corner from Reynolds, enjoys clinics at the Lake Club Courts with members and former teaching pros. These drills are perfect options to introduce your little one to tennis right in your own neighborhood among their classmates.
Life at Reynolds:
Reynolds Lake Oconee has created a town within a community. Simply put, your local grocery store, favorite boutique, and family-owned restaurant are all minutes from your home, no matter which section you choose to live or stay in. Less than a mile or two down the road will be a cantina, pharmacy, boating store, and then some. You name it, Reynolds provides it.
Have we sold you on moving to Reynolds, but you’re nervous about losing your familiar USTA league back home? The tennis concierge attendant, Barbara, is the expert of all match-making experts. Not only can she assist in finding other players at your level, but she can do so much more. Have an upcoming match against a lefty? Searching for another couple to compete against in mixed? The tennis concierge service can meet any and all your on-court requests to make your stay or your residence of choice the best possible experience.
Reynolds as a whole includes six golf courses with 117 total holes of pristine upkeep and condition, four full-service marinas, countless restaurants of all varieties, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centers, 21 miles of walking/biking trails, fishing and boating opportunities, camping and so much more. Just a few miles from downtown Greensboro and a short commute to half a dozen other major cities, your desired setting of Reynolds easily allows for the everyday hustle in between your court or tee times and community endeavors. Reynolds Lake Oconee sets the standard of living from North Georgia and continues to thrive with members of all ages, backgrounds and interests among the mix. Your next itinerary should be filled with tennis and other active options when you choose to stay at Reynolds. You will never want your time to end around Lake Oconee, and Reynolds knows the best possible rental and residence options to ensure you won’t have to.
Byline: JORDANA KLEIN // Former Captain of the Georgia Southern Women’s Tennis team (2015 journalism major) & past Junior Tennis Director for USTA Louisiana. My passions include writing, media, tennis, traveling (and coffee), so I decided to pursue all of these avenues at once, by starting Tennis Itinerary. Please contact me with ideas, comments, questions or to simply say hey! www.tennisitinerary.comwww.tennisitinerary.com
