For decades, real estate developers described places like Reynolds on Lake Oconee as golf course communities. This traditional tagline couldn’t be further from the truth at Reynolds.
These days, Reynolds is as much about the “other things” in life – if not more – rather than its six courses and clubhouses. Indeed, when it comes to life at Reynolds on Lake Oconee there’s a plethora of activities and amenities that stretch far beyond the development’s spectacular six-pack of premium golf courses – featuring everything from fishing, boating, biking, hiking, shooting, dining, exercising, learning and more.
Basically, this growing community of some 3,500 property owners has virtually any activity that ends with “i-n-g” – in addition to its tremendous golfing. In essence, Reynolds on Lake Oconee has evolved from the traditional singular-focused golf course community of old into a much broader “lifestyle community” that reflects the wants and desires of today’s families.
One of the community’s more popular pursuits is enjoying glorious Lake Oconee, a 19,000-acre oasis known for yielding an estimated 443 pounds of fish per acre – twice what is typically found in the region – and 374 miles of breathtaking shoreline. Perhaps the epicenter of where Reynolds life connects at its fullest is the Lake Club Wellness Center.
Situated along a stunning northeastern peninsula just minutes by boat from the community’s on property Ritz-Carlton, the Lake Club is anchored by the community’s spectacular 38,000-square-foot clubhouse. Inside this world-class facility, members can exercise in a newly expanded fitness center, swim indoors at a junior Olympic-sized pool or enjoy massages and aerobics classes in multiple rooms. Outside, members can choose to stay active at the award-winning Lake Club Tennis Center run by Peter Burwash International or families can simply relax in the resort-style pool complex that features an adults-only Infinity Pool and tiki bar overlooking lovely Lake Oconee.
But it’s a small building adjacent to the main clubhouse where Reynolds life takes on another meaning. Aptly named The Rock House, this additional amenity is a replica of the Reynolds family’s turn-of-the-century hunting lodge that houses many of the popular Linger Longer Living series of events, lectures and intimate concerts.
Indeed, if the adjacent clubhouse is where members fine-tune their physical being, the Rock House and the club’s Linger Longer Living series is where Reynolds residents master the mental side of life through a series of entertaining and intellectually stimulating programs.
Marie Garrison, cultural director for Linger Longer Living, has been instrumental in helping Reynolds on Lake Oconee broaden its overall appeal in this growing area of ‘edu-tainment.’
During her first stint as Reynolds’ membership director from 1993-98, Garrison recalls the upstart community having just two golf courses and limited amenities. After leaving the private club for a job with the University of Georgia, Garrison returned to the suddenly maturing golf club about nine years ago to create Linger Longer Living.
These regular events, often featuring experts from the nearby University of Georgia and Greater Atlanta communities, have been a hole-in-one ever since.
The Linger Longer Living programming encompasses everything from experts speaking on “Mapping the Food Chain” in April and “The Hydrology of Georgia” in May to a prelude dinner and concert by Georgia-bred and Juilliard-educated Cicada Rhythm in June and the Loire Valley Wine Dinner with Reynolds ( or Reynolds’ ) own Master Chefs Derin Moore and Edward Leonard in July.
“What’s great about this program is people don’t have to get in their car and drive somewhere for an hour to satisfy their passion for arts and culture,” Garrison says. “It’s right here. I do have people tell me this series helped them decide on Reynolds on Lake Oconee. We have a lot of members who are hugely driven and interested in anything. They want to learn and grow intellectually. And they get to meet others who are like-minded right here in their own community, whether it’s at a history function or food and wine dinner or a special musical performance.”
Garrison says the boutique series of arts and edu-tainment continues to grow in demand, with approximately half of the events sold out. But Garrison’s goal isn’t to pack the room each time.
“This is intentionally kept intimate,” she says. “It’s not about the numbers in the room. It’s about everybody having an absolutely memorable or special experience every time they come. All I’m doing is exposing our residents and members to things and topics that hopefully stimulate them and enrich their lives.”
“The idea isn’t to be the end all be all (for their arts and culture). But I do believe these types of things are necessary items on consumers’ must-have lists when they go looking for a new home these days.”
The Fleet family is one of the biggest supporters of Linger Longer Living.
“The natural beauty of Reynolds – on Lake Oconee, outstanding sports opportunities (golf/tennis/fishing), walking trails, book groups, men’s and ladies’ clubs. … It’s unbeatable,” says Patricia and George Fleet. “But adding the Linger Longer Living cultural events to challenge and expand our thinking, entertain us with wonderful live music and delicious meals, and offer easy ways to meet intriguing new neighbors – that all enhances the lifestyle!”
It’s a lifestyle that makes everybody want to just linger a little bit longer at this lakefront slice of heaven called Reynolds on Lake Oconee.
Scott is the foremost expert on golf course real estate and resort-style living worldwide. The licensed Florida real estate broker has published hundreds of articles in a variety of national golf, travel and lifestyle publications and been quoted by USA Today, Smart Money magazine, San Jose Mercury News and CNN. Kauffman is also one of the founding partners of Golf Media Network, the parent company of The A Position.
