Harbor Club Golf & Country Club

Guest (cart included), played on Sunday, October 2020 at 12:00 PM

When John Matney and his partner purchased the Harbor Club property in 1992 there were about 60 homes in the community. But, as we all know, time has a way of changing things, often for the better. Fast forward to 2020 and there are now more than 550 homes and another 47 under construction. There are currently 1100 homesites and over 600 acres available for future expansion. Matney’s sons, Brandon, and Justin have bought out the original partner. Brandon serves as the community’s General Manager – a title he’s had since 2012 - and Harbor Club has been debt-free since the Matney family took ownership. In addition to being a great place to call home, this semi-private golf facility is also a convenient spot for visitors who come to Georgia for the Masters each April.

The Harbor Club is home to an 18-hole championship golf course designed by PGA TOUR superstar Tom Weiskopf and his golf course design partner Jay Morrish. They did their best not to disturb the existing environment and keep traditional hazards such as trees, water features, dramatic elevation changes, and other native vegetation intact as much as possible. Their courses typically do not intimidate and you’ll usually find at least one drivable par 4. It’s become their trademark.

Many of the holes at Harbor Club feature undulating fairways with generous landing areas flanked by strategically fairway bunkers that absorb errant tee shots. Just about every hole is tree-lined, however, the trees are not densely packed, so you’ll most likely find your ball but may not have a shot. More often than not, you’ll find yourself having to punch out which makes par a lot tougher. Beautiful Lake Oconee provides stunning views and comes into play on four holes.

Harbor Club offers golfers six sets of tees, so everyone regardless of age and ability should be able to find a suitable distance. The course measures 7,027 yards from the tips with a course rating of 74.2 and a slope of 138. Most guys will find the Green Tees (6,225 yards, 70.6/130) to be a challenge that still leaves them with a little bit of dignity intact. The Ladies Tees play 5,191 yards (70.7/126). Choose the set of tees that best suit your game and you’re sure to have a good time.

This course has several memorable holes. Brains over brawn comes to mind as you stand on the tee box of Number 3, “Stone Bridge,” a 345-yard par 4 hole that doglegs to the right. You can see the water on the right that will form the boundary once you hit the dogleg. Plan on hitting your tee shot no more than 200 yards and leave yourself a short to mid-iron into a long narrow green protected on the right by water.

Number 7, “On Golden Pond,” is the first of two risk/reward par 4 holes and brings Lake Oconee into the mix. The scorecard measures this hole at 323 yards however it seems to play considerably shorter and if you’re willing to take on the water, you can have a go at the green. Pay attention to which way the wind is blowing and let it rip! Should you decide to play it as a two-shot par 4, beware of the out of bounds and fairway bunkers.

Number 14 is a risk/reward par 5 named “Wildflower” for the brightly colored flowers on display in the field left of the large oak tree in the middle of the fairway. That oak tree splits the fairway; anything right of the tree usually means taking the long way home. A good drive down the left side will leave an opportunity to go for the green but will require about a 220-yard carry over the field of wildflowers. The long way home will likely consist of an uphill layup shot on a fairway that doglegs left. A good layup will leave a slightly downhill approach shot to a large, well-protected green. Good scores can be had here, regardless of how you play the hole.

The two finishing holes are two of the prettiest and most challenging holes in the area. Number 17, “The Marsh,” is a par 3 that reintroduces you to Lake Oconee. At 174 yards, it’s almost all carry over water to a green that is a lot wider than it is deep. Bunkers protect the green in front and back. Playing out of the sand from behind the green can be a precarious shot with the water looming in front of you.

The 18th hole, aptly named “Double Cross,” is a 415-yard par 4 with a creek that needs to be dealt with twice. From the Blue or Green tees, just right of the middle bunker is a good line and gives you plenty of fairway to work with. It’s a line that clearing the water shouldn’t be a factor. A good drive will leave a mid-iron approach shot over water into a green with a bunker right and water left. Par is a great way to finish your round.

In addition to a fabulous golf course, Harbor Club has great practice facilities that include a full-length driving range with targets, where you can hit every club in the bag. There’s also a short game area and a large practice putting green. If you’re looking for the latest in golf fashion, the pro shop is home to some of the game’s top designers, including a large selection of logoed apparel.

After your round, be sure to stop by the clubhouse for your favorite post-round libations or a bite to eat. The clubhouse restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and a Sunday brunch. The lunch menu features some amazing appetizers, sandwiches, and burgers including Loaded Sidewinder Fries with crispy bacon, scallions, and melted cheddar and parmesan cheeses. The Turkey Bacon Swiss Wrap, Reuben, and Clubhouse Burger are also excellent choices.

Dinner is a special event; start with an appetizer like Jumbo Blue Lump Crab Cakes or that southern specialty Fried Green Tomatoes and then move on to a variety of tasty entrees such as Filet Medallions, Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf (everything’s better with bacon) or Crab Stuffed Grouper. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the Chocolate Spoon Cake, layers of chocolate cake and chocolate pudding. Whatever you choose, it’s all good.

Harbor Club at Lake Oconee is a mandatory membership community meaning if you decide to live in the community, you’ll need to purchase some level of membership. But you don’t have to live within the gates of The Harbor Club to be a member; both resident and non-resident golf memberships are available. As a member, you’ll have access to the award-winning golf course, the golf practice area, the fitness center, swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts as well as a discount on services and storage at the marina. Several membership levels are available including full golf, weekday golf, junior golf, and corporate golf memberships.

Harbor Club at Lake Oconee is a lot more than just a golf course, although for many that is the main attraction. Harbor Club occupies 1,000 acres along 9 miles of Lake Oconee coastline. In addition to the golf course, you’ll find a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, outdoor lit tennis courts, a playground for the kids and grandkids, and a walking trail. If boating’s more your style, Harbor Club’s marina offers dry-stack boat storage, a convenience store, two boat ramps, and dining at the Boathouse Restaurant.

When it comes to golf course communities, or communities with a plethora of recreational amenities, Harbor Club is at the top of the list. I would classify it as a “homecation!” If you’re looking for the best golf community value in the area, the clear winner is Harbor Club at Lake Oconee.

Guest (cart included), played on Thursday, October 2017 at 9:30 AM

Harbor Club on Lake Oconee opened over 25 years ago and is still receiving high praise from golfers, writers and magazines alike. In fact, Harbor Club has been given 4½ out of 5 stars by Golf Digest as a "Best Places to Play" for the past 3 years running. Earlier this year, Golfweek Magazine rated Harbor Club #3 on its State-by-State list of Best Courses You Can Play in the State of Georgia.

With six sets of tees, Harbor Club offers a suitable distance for every caliber of golfer. The course measures 7,048 yards from the tips with a course rating of 73.6 and a slope of 138. Most guys will find the Green Tees (6,223 yards, 70.0/129) to be a challenge that still leaves them with a little bit of dignity intact. The Ladies Tees play 5,169 yards (66.6/111). Remember to choose the set of tees that best suit your game and you’re sure to have a good time.

This Tom Weiskopf - Jay Morrish designed golf course is nestled along the coastline of Lake Oconee and is fun to play for players of all skill levels. From the tees, you’ll find undulating fairways with generous landing areas, although fairway bunkers have been strategically placed to catch some errant tee shots. Almost every hole is tree lined, and, although the trees are not densely packed, if you’re in them, you’ll find yourself having to punch out, thus wasting a shot. For the most part, Lake Oconee provides visual aesthetics and really only comes into play on four holes.

In addition to a fabulous golf course, Harbor Club has some great practice facilities including a full length driving range with targets, where you can hit every club in the bag, along with a short game area and large practice putting green. The pro shop is home to some of the latest golf fashions and logoed apparel.

Memorable Holes (All Yardages are from the Blue Tees) Number 3: Par 4, 345 yards. Leave driver in the bag on number 3. “Stone Bridge” plays 345 yards and features water all down the right side and out of bounds left of the cart path. An accurate second shot is needed with the water guarding the right side, almost to the edge of the green.

Number 4: Par 4: 430 yards. The par 4 5th hole has an interesting moniker – “Horses Won’t Cross the Creek”. The hole brings into focus Lake Oconee for the first time and creates a wonderful backdrop behind the green on this lengthy par 4. Your second shot plays downhill, giving back some of the overall length, but be sure to hit the right club on approach. The long, narrow green creates a three-club difference between front and back pins. Number 4 is what I would consider to be a true test of golf.

Number 11: Par 5, 553 yards. The dogleg left 11th is nicknamed “The Chimney” and is just flat out long. It’s tree-lined to keep you honest off the tee and the fairway bunkers that flank both sides of the landing area have seen their fair share of action. The green is well protected in the front by bunkers on both sides. A front pin placement can make for an interesting approach shot.

Number 14: Par 5, 523 yards. Perhaps the most intriguing risk/reward hole at Harbor Club is the #1 handicap par 5, 14th nicknamed “Wildflower”. For the average player, the hole plays as a dogleg left, around a large oak tree and treed marsh area. However, for the thrill seeker, you can play your drive left of the giant oak off the tee, taking the dogleg out of play and giving yourself a clear, albeit lengthy, shot to the green. A great drive from the Blue Tees will still leave a shot of over 230 yards to the middle of the green, of which about 200 is carry over the marsh. Two good shots back to back and this feat is easily accomplished. Even if you just clear the marsh area, you’ll be looking at a makeable up and down. This has to be one of the most challenging risk/reward opportunities in the state.

Number 15: Par 4, 281 yards. After the thrill of conquering the course’s toughest hole, it’s on to the shortest par 4 on the course. “Hidden Springs” plays 281 yards from the Blue Tees and from an elevated tee box, you get the idea that driving the green shouldn’t be a problem. Many will try, most will come up short, which isn’t a bad thing (unless your buddies succeed); you’ll have a manageable up and down with a good drive. If you decide to play it as a two-shot hole, be sure to avoid the fairway bunkers on either side off the tee. The water behind the right side of the green shouldn’t come into play.

Number 17: Par 3, 174 yards. If the bunker between the water and the green on “The Marsh” par 3 17th were longer, it would be a carbon copy of number 17 at Bay Hill. From the Blue Tees, it plays about the same length as Bay Hill’s Gold Tees, with the same carry over water to an angular green. It’s a great par 3.

Number 18: Par 4, 415 yards. “Double Cross” is a very challenging finishing hole that requires a well-executed tee shot over a creek, which runs parallel to the fairway the entire length of the hole. You’ll need to carry the water a second time in order to reach the green. The green is large and features some significant undulations, making for some interesting pin placements. Take a par and run.

Last Word: After your round, be sure to stop by the clubhouse for your favorite post round libations or a bite to eat. Lunch is served Tuesday – Saturday from 11 am – 5 pm and you can grab dinner Thursday – Saturday from 5 pm – 9 pm.

The lunch menu features some amazing sandwiches and burgers, including a “Build Your Own Burger” where you select from a number of toppings. The French Dip, Reuben and Chicken Sandwiches are also great choices.

The Culinary Team at Harbor Club pulls out all the stops for dinner. Start off with a basket of eggplant French fries and then indulge in entrees such as Salmon Paillard, Shrimp Angel Hair Pasta or Rack of Lamb. After dinner, treat yourself to a Chocolate Martini, made with brownie cubes, chocolate mousse, whipped cream and candied nuts. After all, you deserve it!

If you’re looking to relocate to the Lake Oconee area, look no further than Harbor Club. There’s a lot more here than just an outstanding golf course. There’s a junior Olympic size pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and the 12-acre Grove – a complex that includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, hiking and Fit-Trails, a quarter-mile running track and an event/sports field.

Boat enthusiasts will feel right at home at Harbor Club. The award-winning Lake Oconee Marina (Best Recreational Facility in the Southeast) provides easy access to the lake as well as boat storage and a wide variety of services to help you enjoy life on the lake. This includes a 72-slip dry stack boat (soon to be 300 slip) storage facility, boat ramps, fueling, watercraft rentals and a convenience store. If that’s not enough, there’s always Harbor Club’s Boathouse Restaurant, where you can motor in by boat or by car and enjoy burgers, BBQ, ribs and fried catfish all tastefully presented and served piping hot. During the summer, there’s live music at the Boathouse on Friday and Saturday nights from 11am to 9pm, and Sundays from 11am to 7pm, May through September. It’s also available to host private events.

Harbor Club is also a great venue for weddings. The Stables provide a beautiful, pastoral setting for weddings, receptions and other special events.

As you can see, Harbor Club has a lot to offer. The golf course is one of the few courses on Lake Oconee that the public has access to and I suspect at some time it too will go private. Until then, if you’re in the area and are looking for a great place to play and be treated like you belong, give Harbor Club a try.