Spent a long weekend there, cannot speak highly enough of the place.
The Resort itself is in Hiawasee, roughly two hours north of Atlanta. It consists of a huge marina, a few restaurants, a swimming pool, a huge lodge with a lobby, bar, and fireplace , and a large watefront area, consisting of fishing piers and numerous seating areas to enjoy the lake and the beautiful sunsets. The help is amazing, they make you feel at home the minute you get there. There are a number of rooming options, including hotel like lodging in the main building, plus a number of larger condo buildings. This is the perfect place to go just to relax and get away from it all for a while. The scenery is to die for, the resort is surrounded by the Blue Ridge mountains.
Now just a short drive away across the border in North Carolina is The Ridge Country Club, I believe it used to be called Mountain Harbor Golf Club. This is a Willard Byrd design, cut mostly through a valley, yet there are a few holes with significant elevation changes. The course is on the shorter side, yet offers plenty of challenges. A lot of meandering creeks, blind tee shots, and heroic carries over lakes, make for a very sporty and fun design. Venture too far of the fairways, there is a lot of heather like growth on a few holes ,forget about finding your ball. I found this course a whole lot of fun, real forgiving for an erratic driver like me, and real women friendly for the wife. The staff was beyond acccommodating and cheerful. Played the course twice, can't wait to come back and do it again.
There are two other golf courses within a few miles of the Ridges Resort Complex. The first is a public venue, Lake Chatuge Golf Club. I was told that it was in great condition, and real good for the ego, a kinder, forgiving layout. And a few miles to the south is the Brasstown Valley Resort golf Club. This is a valley design by Dennis Griffiths, that has a lot of links-like features. I have played it several times, it is also in wonderful conditon and like The Ridges, set in a valley, surrounded by mountains.
What an amazing golf destination this is. And if you want to drive an hour or so further, you are not to far from Helen, Georgia, which has Innsbruck Golf Club and there are many many superb choices in Cashiers, NC. For those of you in the Atlanta area that are looking for something different, high on the scenery, low on the crowds, and kind on the wallet, this is a wondeful option. And in addition to golf, there are tons of watersports, winery tours, hiking, and some really neat little towns like Hiawasee or Young Harris that are well worth pariking the car and exploring by foot.
Eric Strulowitz