The Golf Club at Cuscowilla, Eatonton, Georgia - A Lovely Walk in the Park on a Beautifully Designed Golf Course

The semi-private Golf Club at Cuscowilla is not considered a "flashy'' course with gimmicks and gadgets. Rather, designers Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw tend to take a minimalist approach in their designs, and Cuscowilla is more like a lovely walk in the park. A good way to describe this course is that, "among the native flora, wild grasses and tall Georgia pines, someone snuck a golf course into the beautiful scenery.''

Coore and Crenshaw might have been aiming for balance and for affording the greatest golfing pleasure to the greatest number of players. The course, which borders Lake Oconee in Georgia, is both playable and enjoyable for the high-handicapper, while still intriguing to more skilled players.

The par-70 course plays to 6,847 yards at the tips, with a USGA course rating of 72.2 and a slope rating of 132 on Bermuda over Rye fairways. Two holes play alongside Lake Oconee, but perhaps the most distinctive feature of the course is its red-sand bunkers, the result of white sand and red Georgia clay commingling after a few rain storms. The bunkers tend to be deep and large, often with rugged edges and non-geometric shapes.

The course offers good pacing and variety in its holes, with lengthy holes on 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, and 18. One of the most noteworthy holes on the course is the 425-yard No. 10, considered to be one of the finest modern "Cape'' holes in the country. No. 10 is a mirror image is the famous No. 5 Cape hole at the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda - one of the most photographed and copied holes in golf.

The Cuscowilla version begins with a dramatic tee shot off an elevated tee over the finger of Lake Oconee, followed by a iron shot to the green and its lone bunker. Real trouble can be found with a shot to the left, where a steep, closely mown bank awaits, as well as to the right where the bunker and water await wayward approach shots.

Another noteworthy hole is the 11th that follows. At a meager 135 yards, golfers might be over-confident as they step up to the tee. The green, however, is one of the most severe on the course, including a false front that covers the left third of the green and a slope on the right that will carry a wayward tee shot into the water.

All the greens feature bentgrass, and are in pristine condition, which is par for this course. They tend to play fast and are nicely contoured, with good slope and undulations. Among the course's accolades and honors are being ranked #19 among the "Top 100 Course in America'' by Golf Magazine, and being rated #3 "Best Residential Golf Courses in America'' by Golfweek.

Practice facilities, private lessons and a Pro Shop are available. The course is open to the public Tuesday through Thursday.

The resort offers a number of amenities to members and guests, such as: massage therapy, swimming, tennis and seven miles of water frontage on Lake Oconee. There's also a Kid's Club located by the outdoor pool, with activities such as tennis, basketball, swing set, along with indoor activities and games.

For dining, members and guests can choose from the casual Golf House Grill, featuring breakfast and lunch, and the acclaimed Waterside Restaurant for more elegant fare.