Our Story

For over 100 years, Reynolds Lake Oconee has been a sought-after family retreat along the shores of the Oconee River. The striking river and the majestic Oconee Forest created a natural haven that felt like worlds away from the busy lifestyles folks had grown accustomed to, and soon, these families began to “linger longer.” Short one or two-day visits turned into week-long escapes; and by 1982, the river had expanded into a lake, offering a 19,000-acre playground and the second largest lake in Georgia.
Guests went from lingering longer to laying down roots, and like-minded people came together to create the Club and Community of Reynolds Lake Oconee.

Since that day, Reynolds has evolved into a globally recognized escape, defined by extraordinary recreational and culinary amenities and a warm, authentic spirit of Southern hospitality.
With seven championship golf courses, 11 unique restaurants, five full-service marinas, The Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds, 21 miles of walking and biking trails, modern fitness facilities, over 40 Member operated clubs, scores of events and daily activities, plus, one of the world’s only lakefront Ritz-Carlton resorts; Members here, nearly four thousand from all parts of the country, find new ways to explore this natural beauty every day.
Tap the screen to navigate through a full timeline of Reynolds Lake Oconee’s history and learn more about the amenities, culinary experiences, properties and communities available.

And whether you’re here now for a brief moment or a week-long stay, we hope you too decide to “linger longer.”

1979

Wallace Dam is completed, creating Lake Oconee, a recreational playground covering over 19,000 acres and providing 374 miles of shoreline; nearly four times the shoreline found on Georgia’s Atlantic coast. The lake’s reverse turbines double the power capacity, but also keep the lake shoreline levels steady throughout the year and immune to climate-influenced water levels.

1988

Reynolds Lake Oconee first properties are sold in and around The Preserve, the original golf course that would later become one of seven championship courses on the property.
The Preserve, designed by Bob Cupp with the help of Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green, opens as the original golf course. Cupp’s classic subtle deception design principles results in an immensely playable course with natural rolling topography, back tees challenging enough for low-handicappers and forward tees forgiving enough for beginners.
Linger Longer Park opens, providing the first of what has become several recreational facilities for Members.
The Linger Longer Marina opens. The first of now five full-service marinas provides 142 dry storage racks, 36 jet ski racks, boat servicing, fuel and a retail shop.

1992

Great Waters golf course opens to national acclaim, creating an entirely new legacy for one of golf’s greatest performers, Jack Nicklaus. Winding among the tranquil coves of Lake Oconee, this par-72 features waterfront views from ten of the eighteen holes, and its unique layout earns it several awards and designations.

1994

Great Waters Marina opens, adding an additional 141 racks for dry storage and 50 for jet skis.

1996

The National, designed by Tom Fazio, opens in the heart of Reynolds. Featuring dramatic terrain changes, large greens and bunkers, and lake views, The National quickly becomes a Member favorite.

1997

Great Waters opens a new clubhouse, pool and tennis facility.

2000

The original two nine-hole courses at The National are complemented four years later by the addition of a third Nine – The Cove.

2002

The Ritz-Carlton^® Reynolds, Lake Oconee opens, becoming the world’s first and only lakefront Ritz-Carlton property. The new resort hotel brings 256 rooms, cottages, a spa and amenities that add immediate value for guests searching for a picturesque, luxury lake getaway.
The Oconee opens, designed by renowned course architect Rees Jones. Concentrated along the lake shoreline, this course is the first true risk/reward play style introduced to Reynolds. Here, golfers enjoy inspiring lake views while being presented with options like playing shots over inlets or carrying corners of tree-lined doglegs.
The Oconee clubhouse and Linger Longer Steakhouse open.
Lake Oconee Village opens featuring shops, groceries and professional services.

2005

Reynolds Lake Oconee acquires Port Armour, which becomes The Landing, adding a second 18-hole golf course designed by Bob Cupp. This new addition winds through naturally wooded areas and rolling hills, providing thrilling play for all levels. Along with the new course, Reynolds opens a new clubhouse, more lodging, a full-service marina and a brand-new event space for both community entertainment and private gatherings.

2006

Lake Club Marina opens, providing another full-service marina with 306 dry storage racks for boats and 42 for jet skis.
With 38,000 square feet of fitness, event, and pool space, The Lake Club and Tennis Center open, offering Members 10 tennis courts, a dual-level fitness center, outdoor pools for adults and kids, an indoor junior Olympic pool and whirlpool spa and Kathy’s Café featuring healthy lunch options, best enjoyed poolside.
The picturesque Sandy Creek Barn is relocated and restored, adding a unique event venue that boasts a gorgeous gabled roof, exposed hardwood, rugged stone accents and a covered terrace anchored by a stone fireplace and lakeside fire pit.
The Rock House, a smaller, more intimate lakefront event venue, opens for Members adjacent to The Lake Club.
The Linger Longer Cultural Series launches, bringing hands-on experiences, concerts, culinary and arts education to Reynolds.

2007

The Creek Club opens to immediate praise with its innovative and unexpected layout. Designed by Golf Digest’s first-ever Architect of the Year, Jim Engh, the new course utilizes Reynolds’ undulating terrain, capturing the innate details of the property. Members and guests immediately take to the spectacular views, distinctive mounding and bunkers that complement the surrounding topography.
The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee opens as one of two TaylorMade Kingdom facilities in the world, offering a tour-caliber golf experience where players of every level refine their game with seven bays for elite instruction, a 16-acre private practice facility, cutting-edge biomechanics and expert club fitting and building in two on-site TaylorMade Tour trailers.
Lake Oconee Academy opens and instantly becomes one of Georgia’s most highly-accredited K-12 charter schools.
The Landing Sporting Complex opens placing a focus on families with a 30-foot water slide, beach-entry pool, splash pad, playground and recreational sports field, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts.

2012

Reynolds Lake Oconee, The Ritz-Carlton^® Reynolds, Lake Oconee, and existing undeveloped land are acquired by subsidiaries of MetLife. Golf courses and The Ritz-Carlton begin to undergo restoration and the planning and development of new additional club amenities begins.

2013

St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital opens with 25-bed acute care and critical access. It would later be recognized as one of only 400 hospitals in the country with a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

2014

The Waterview Pub opens at Great Waters, providing Members with a cozy pre- or post- golf hangout that overlooks the practice green, lake and 18th hole.

2015

The National Village opens, featuring a clubhouse for The National, a new cart storage facility, eight cottages and the always vibrant National Tavern.

2017

The Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds opens; designed by the world’s foremost expert on shooting facilities, Justin Jones. The pristine grounds provide a wide selection of shooting challenges and sporting endeavors with a 20-station sporting clays course, two five-stands, air rifle and archery ranges, tranquil fishing spots and trails that lead to off-road adventures
The original clubhouse at The Preserve is completely restored and reintroduced to Members with a new restaurant and bar experience: Eighty8 Kitchen+Cocktails.

2019

Jack Nicklaus returns to oversee a complete restoration of his timeless masterpiece at Great Waters.
The first lots at The Homesteads are released, creating Reynolds Lake Oconee’s long-awaited east shore enclave. Adjacent to The Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds, the offering’s limited number of private, multi-acre family parcels blends the scale and significance of a secluded family camp with the daily support and attention from a team of full-time caretakers.
Creek Club restaurant renovation is completed.

2020

The Ritz-Carlton^® Reynolds, Lake Oconee undergoes a full-room renovation.
Great Waters hosts The Drive On Championship, a full field, four-day LPGA Tour event.

2021

Richland Pointe Village opens with charming cottages, two infinity edge pools, a wellness center, spa and The Richland Pointe Restaurant – a refined-casual dining experience with indoor and outdoor bars.
The Ritz-Carlton^® Reynolds, Lake Oconee adds a family pool and an expanded RitzKids campus.
The Landing Marina is renovated adding 115 dry storage boat racks and dry storage for 36 jet skis.

2022

Reynolds opens a dedicated Pickleball campus at Linger Longer Park.
Boulder Park opens at The Homesteads, offering residents a unique setting to host outdoor events and gather with friends and neighbors.

2023

The Gathering House, a lounge and multi-use event space, opens at The Homesteads. Designed to bring friends and neighbors together, this gorgeous space is equipped with a kitchen and bar, plus indoor/outdoor entertaining spaces, making it the perfect space for hosting.
Amore del Lago at The Ritz-Carlton^® opens, offering the ultimate Italian dining experience with homemade pastas and woodfired pizza.

2024

Acclaimed course architect Tom Fazio returns to Reynolds, completing the design of the property’s seventh championship golf course with nine new holes that seamlessly join the existing nine on The Bluff with Fazio’s original course The National.
Renovation of the restaurant at The Landing is completed and reopens as ESSĒ, a name that celebrates food and gathering as the essence of good living and a vibrant community.
Richland Pointe Marina opens, the fifth full-service marina with 240 dry storage racks for boats and 60 for jet skis.
The Ritz-Carlton^® undergoes full spa and lobby renovations.

See More of Reynolds Lake Oconee

Reynolds Lake Oconee is inspired by its Members and is always growing to fit their needs. Return to the home screen to explore Member Stories and view available homesites and homes.