A Solid Double for Fazio at Reynolds Lake Oconee

January 16, 2018

ReynoldsNat23 — The Bluff’s second, third and fourth holes tumble gorgeously down to the shore.

With a lovely, forested site (though not one necessarily great for golf), recurring views of Lake Oconee and the surrounding development’s once deep pockets, you’d think The National’s 27 holes would comprise some of the most spectacular destination golf in the Southeast.

In actuality, the National bats in the middle of Reynolds Lake Oconee’s (formerly Reynolds Plantation) lineup. That’s not the worst thing considering the competition on site — everyone can’t make the All Star team — but Fazio is used to setting the bar where he goes rather than chasing it, and I’m sure the initial expectations were for something more breathlessly praised.

The 9th hole at... — The 9th hole at the National’s Bluff 9 is pure, picturesque Fazio.

In places like this the scenery can become a crutch, or even a handicap, if you’re relying on it to make the impact as opposed to offering unique, interesting holes. I imagine Fazio was encouraged to do more of the former than the latter, and therefore many of the National’s holes exist to basically showcase the pretty tree-framed backdrops and lakefront views for visitors and heavily invested members.

The holes look the part, with sculpted framing bunkers, destination eye features and elevated tee shots, without standing too far apart from each other or from the resort’s other courses. Golfers and homeowners have always been willing to pay a premium for that, but as much as the Engh and Rees Jones courses here garner controversial reviews in some circles, they were at least serving more serious ambitions.

The best of the three nines is the Bluffs, which includes holes like the par-3 4^th where an uncomfortably narrow green is squeezed tightly against the steeply sloped shoreline, and the par-4 8^th, where a creek runs diagonally along the front of the green from left to right, increasing the risk the farther back and right the hole is cut. The hazards there are real, and it’s nice to have your attention pulled toward the golf instead of the all the landscape. (87)

The National at Reynolds Lake Oconee

Greensboro/Lake Oconee

Architect: Tom Fazio

Year: Bluff and Cove Nines, 1997; Ridge Nine, 2000

ReynoldsNat6 — Fazio had a perfect backdrop at Reynolds Plantation for his balanced, framing architecture.

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