Reynolds Lake Oconee - Richland Course

There’s something strange and wonderful happening at Reynolds Lake Oconee, and it’s hiding in plain sight under the name “Richland.” Designed by Tom Fazio, the Richland course doesn’t arrive with fireworks, but with quiet confidence and an unmistakable pedigree. This isn’t a rehash of greatest hits. It’s Fazio doing what he does best: letting the land speak, and then framing it in a way that makes golfers pay attention. From the very first tee, Richland feels like it’s been here forever, carved from red clay and pine, waiting for the right moment to step into the spotlight.

The routing is thoughtful and expansive, moving through hardwoods, lakes, and rolling terrain with the kind of polish and precision you’d expect from a master of big-stage golf. The fairways are wide but never lazy—angles matter, and lazy shots tend to end up in all the wrong places. Bunkers are classic Fazio: dramatic without being excessive, cut with purpose and just enough bite. The greens are generous in size, but full of subtle movement that tests both touch and imagination. Richland doesn’t beat you up—it lures you into thinking you’re safe, then challenges every part of your game in ways you didn’t see coming.

There’s a rhythm to the round that feels almost cinematic—one scene fades into the next with just the right build of tension and release. Par 3s that feel postcard-perfect but come with real teeth. Par 5s that offer choices you’ll second-guess even after a good swing. The shared green at holes 3 and 5 is one of those understated architectural moves that adds a little weirdness, a little wonder, and makes you realize someone’s been paying close attention to the details. It’s Fazio at his most refined—no gimmicks, just thoughtful golf that rewards patience, strategy, and confidence.

In a resort portfolio that already includes heavy hitters, Richland doesn’t try to overshadow its neighbors—it elevates the entire experience. It’s new, yes, but it feels timeless. The lines are clean, the views are memorable, and the golf is the kind that stays with you for a while.

Combining nine brand-new holes with the existing Bluff nine pilfered from The National Course, Reynolds’ new private club-within-the-club is an enjoyable effort by Tom Fazio. The new holes are open-plan, set on their own 75-acre paddock, while the Bluff holes feature the course’s most scenic and interesting golf, from the lakeside par-3 4th to the (now) down-and-left par-5 15th hole and an attractive par-4 17th with a stream beside the green and cutting across to run beside the fairway. Now, Reynolds’ Platinum members can play a different course every day of the week. Must be nice.