Reynolds Lake Oconee, Richland Course
Architect: Tom Fazio
7,090 Yards / Par-72
Greensboro, Georgia, USA
Course has not been rated / sloped yet
Opened: October / 2024
Rating: “Birdie”
Sometime a facility needs a new direction in getting matters jumpstarted. When Met Life purchased Reynolds Plantation in 2012 the facility had done well previously but never really broke through to become a must play golf destination.
Met Life changed that storyline dramatically. Transforming Reynolds Lake Oconee into a serious competitive rival to any of the multi-course facilities operating throughout North America.
A total of seven courses are now on the property – with two set aside exclusively for member play. The others are available when staying at the on-site Ritz-Carlton.
In 2019 Jack Nicklaus team refreshed the noted Great Waters Course. Most recently, architect Tom Fazio, via lead associate Bryan Bowers, returned and added 9 new holes to form what is now the Richland Course.
A bit of the back story. Fazio created 18 holes called The National in 1997 and extended that to 27 holes in 2000 with each of the nines called The Cove, The Ridge and The Bluff, respectively. The new 9 holes join 9 holes from the existing Bluff to create the Richland Course.
The original Bluff has also been updated and the opening stretch works its way towards the eye-catching par-3 4th which uses Lake Oconee as a picturesque backstop.
The 4th tee complex was reshaped and shifted left sightly with the back tee yardage increasing from 173 to 193. The existing cart path was moved to the right side of the tee. A new green complex was shaped and re-contoured, moving left-to-right green and extending out toward the lake’s edge. A new bunker was added to the front right and the cart path was lowered at the green to improve accessibility.
When the pin position is placed far right it only takes the slightest miscue to hear the words of the famed song from Bobby Darin – “Splish Splash.”
When you cross Linger Longer Drive following the mid-length two-shot 5th – the character of the course clearly changes. Most of the golf choices at Reynolds Lake Oconee have a corridor-type presentation with woods forming boundaries and home situated in those areas. Holes 6-14 on Richland are clearly different and encompass 75-acres.
The added holes are located on rolling terrain and provide a more open connected look.
The uphill par-3 7th mandates proper club selection in getting one’s golf ball all the way to the target.
The sweeping downhill par-5 8th is a visual treat and a quality challenge. There’s plenty of room but those opting for the riskier left side will reap the benefit with a speed slot adding more yardage. The putting surface is tucked to the left and those opting to go for the green in two shots must avoid the deep fescue grass lurking to that side.
After the long straight-away par-4 9th the back nine commences with one of the strongest holes on Richland. The uphill 10th, a par-4 of 436 yards, gives golfers a wide landing area, however, those failing to find it will be hard-pressed to get to the green. Uphill holes are not usually carried out because of the inherent demands presented and it’s refreshing to see Fazio providing one with plenty of bite.
The approach shot must reach an elevated target and avoid finding a false front area which only feeds the ball back down the fairway. What’s interesting is that the green has an array of different movements. Richland uses TifEagle as the preferred choice of turf on the putting surfaces and the speed can be pushed to very, very quick levels. Uphill holes don’t happen regularly and the 10th at Richland is most welcomed for sure.
Holes 11 thru 14 are a combination of two par-4s, par-5 and par-3 holes. Each uses the terrain in a smart fashion and fortified in each having greens that will not suffer foolish strokes.
As you walk to the 15th you cross back over Linger Longer Drive – wonderfully named I might add. The downhill par-5 invites the big tee shot and for those striping one long and straight there’s a speed slot to take one’s ball even farther down the fairway.
You then cross one final time over Linger Longer Drive and reach the par-3 16th. The 211-yard hole plays downhill and the green is long width wise but not so much in terms of actual depth. A creek provides defense to the right side.
The penultimate hole — a par-4 of 396 yards — smartly uses a creek which cuts into the driving area and then moves up the right side of the green.
The final hole is a 420-yard par-4 that turns right in the landing area and features a green protected by a large-sized pond that lurks to the right of the putting surface. Those opting to bail out to the safe left side will find the play from that side daunting as the green runs away from that position.
In summation, Richland is a quality layout. Throughout his highly successful career, Fazio has relied upon providing plenty of visual treats for the golfer to enjoy when playing.
Richland does this via a number of holes having elevated teeing areas. The bunkers are also well-positioned in plenty of spots. If played from a combination of the II and III tee boxes, the length is a very manageable 6,265 yards.
Fazio did not want Richland to be overly taxing but matters intensify when reaching the greens. Nearly all have a range of internal movements. Some feature double-tiers, others with spines separating different sections to those with plateaued areas and also the inclusion of false fronts. Getting through the round without a three-putt is a major accomplishment.
Those having a tough day with approach play will find the numbers placed on the scorecard to be quite painful. The main downside is that several of the par-4 holes are fairly similar in length and challenge. These include the 1st, 5th, 6th, 11th, 13th and 17th holes.
On the flip side there are holes where Richland becomes quite particular on the shots needed in order to garner success. It is at those moments when one’s play needs to rise to the occasion.
Richland’s addition to the golf portfolio keeps Reynold Lake Oconee moving ahead with a menu that never ceases to satisfy the passionate golfer.
Ratings Guide |
| Double eagle — Compelling architecture of the highest order. Your heart will be pounding with exhilaration. Eagle – Flies high in the clouds, consistent variety with strategic holes of note. Birdie + – Engaging design with occasional moments of memorable triumph. Birdie – Quality architecture with only momentary lapses in standout holes. Par – Enjoyable to play but generally vanilla in overall character. Bogey – Shows fleeting promise but offers pedestrian holes that rarely rise above mediocrity. Double-bogey – A total mistake – in need of upgrades on hole design and related conditioning snafus. Triple-bogey – A mess – avoid wasting your time and money. |
