Tom Doak's Perfect Course

[Scott_Burroughs]

Kent,

The Lake Oconee area is chock full a excellent golf, but where can the wives shop?  90 minutes to Atlanta is a hike for a decent mall.

The one thing that Lake Oconee doesn't have is sand-based turf.  Georgia's red clay can have drawbacks.

Regardless, if I were 20 years older and about to retire, I'd definitely be interested.

[Harmony]

Sounds like Ms. Burke has you in her camp.  Didn't think mom's shopping was what this is all about.
Actually, a major mega-mall is 45 min. away, and one-off designer gowns at $1000 a pop are 5 miles from the club.  Can't be all boonies out here...the Ritz Carleton Lodge is testiment to that.
Too bad the perception that one has to be retired before they can enjoy great private club golf.
re. soil....we are 60 miles from Washington Rd., and 90 miles from Peachtree and East Lake.  I think Tom can find a way to grow us some quality turf.  Clay seems to work for those folks.
Where there is a will, there's a way.

[Scott_Burroughs]

Certainly there are several on this board who are members of more than one nice private club, but that ain't me.

I'm just talking my situation, Kent.  With both a 2-month old and a 3 1/2 year old in expensive daycare, 3 weeks vacation that are spent visiting the wife's family out west, I don't have the means nor the time to have a 2nd club in a place I never visit.  I don't even have a 1st private club, just a semi-private one 5 minutes from home that I play on average 2-3 times a month.

I certainly aspire to belong to a nice private club when the kids are older, but I'm not holding my breath.  Certainly in retirement.  The thought of Harmony (if it happens) and Cuscowilla so near, plus the other courses for diversions, not to mention the mild winters, certainly interests me.  But my wife needs to be happy about the place, too.

I also realize that I'm not your target customer anyways.

[Erich]

Tom Doak,

Can you weigh in on what you are planning for this course?  Also, will this course be in image of Augusta in that their will be overnight lodging, par 3 course, and no cart paths?

[Harmony]

Tom can't answer some of these, so I will.
Augusta look....maybe.  We have similar topography, climate, but that will be Tom's call.  I doubt we'll have the fru-fru t.v. backdrops all over the place, but again...it's his call.
Yes, we'll have ovenite quarters.  Reproduction of old barn and stables.
Maybe on the par 3.  Will depend on if members want one.  We have a great site for it if they do.
Carts will be confined to a trail system, hidden in trees until in vicinity of landing areas.  No concrete.  We will have caddie or forecaddie in every group, and the course is very walkable.

[Robert]

Harmony,

Can you post any pics you have of the site or direct us to a website that has the course mapped out?

[Harmony]

I'm respectful of the non-commercial trust this forum must maintain, and reluctant to post anything that would violate that trust.
I will gladly communicate extensive information on our project, including mailing the routing if you contact me on e-mail.
We will establish a web site, but marketing/P.R. team just getting on board and that's in their bag.