Georgia’s Newest Golf Course at Lake Lanier Islands Resort Thrives, Forecast for Fall is Excellent

Oct. 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Despite less than stellar reports about golf courses across the nation struggling due to a rocky economy and turf issues resulting from record high temperatures this summer, Lake Lanier Islands Resort’s newest luxury recreational venue – Legacy on Lanier Golf Club (est. June 2009) – has been enjoying fully booked tee times and a healthy jump in repeat clientele. The Club’s PGA Head Golf Professional, Brian Conley feels that three factors are in place at the Resort that Georgia golfers may have had trouble finding elsewhere during Summer 2010. “First of all, golf in Georgia is often associated with Bentgrass greens – when the temperatures are just right they can make for a truly beautiful course. Unfortunately, no one could have foreseen the plight this summer would have on Bentgrass, and many superintendents of local courses have been fighting to stay on top of the issue,” explains Conley. “Legacy on Lanier Golf Club has been very fortunate. In the past, a certain stigma was associated with the use of Bermuda grasses - often linked with municipal and public courses. However, in recent years agronomists have been working hard to engineer “super” grasses – like the MiniVerde™ Bermuda we use here at Legacy – that can withstand soaring temperatures and serve to enhance play.”

While the legendary drought of over a year ago killed off many Georgia courses, those who survived are having to contend with possible turf loss and root destruction in their Bentgrass greens. Legacy on Lanier Golf Club’s mission to set itself apart from other golf courses has been its saving grace. Conley gives all the credit to the vision of Lake Lanier Islands Resort Owner, Virgil Williams. “Before we opened the course last year, Mr. Williams made it clear that he wished to break away from the status quo and offer something entirely new for golfers in the Southeast. MiniVerde™ was the newest thing out there, and has served us exceptionally well during even the hottest days in July and August. Sometimes being a trendsetter pays off!”  Other elite golf courses in Georgia who have made the transition from Bentgrass to Bermuda include East Lake Country Club and Atlanta Athletic Club. “Often when golfers call to book a tee time, the first question they ask is, ‘How are the greens?’  I’m thrilled to be able to tell them, ‘EXCELLENT!’ Add the terrific condition of our greens with breathtaking views of Lake Lanier on 12 of 18 holes on our course, and it makes for a truly winning combination for both the scratch golfer and the casual golfer.” Conley has also been receiving calls from golf course superintendents as far North as Nashville, Tennessee asking to tour the Legacy course and examine the greens as they consider a transition at their own courses.

Mr. Williams’ vision doesn’t end with turf. “The second factor attributing to our growing success has been the establishment of the Legacy Golf Partnership Program earlier this Spring,” says Conley. “Imagine many of the perks of a country club at a fraction of the cost. Legacy Partners are entitled to special golf rates, advance tee time booking, discounts on merchandise from our pro shop, discounts on private lessons from our PGA instructors – the list goes on and on! Partners are also afforded exclusive access to the ‘Partners Only Area” of our new website including our Remote Pro – where  they  can e-mail in a video clip of their golf swing and putting stroke, and our PGA professionals can provide them with instant tips and quick fixes to improve their game. The ‘Partners Only Area’ also provides them with helpful tips and articles from leading national golf magazines, state-of-the art game tracking software, and the latest news relating to upcoming events, tournaments and promotions. With an average golfer playing between 16 to 36 rounds annually, our Legacy Golf Partnership offers an affordable alternative to traditional clubs along with perks and access to the rest of one of the Southeast’s premier lakeside resorts, Lake Lanier Islands Resort.”

Lastly, Conley ascribes Legacy on Lanier’s rising popularity to its solid reputation for providing above-and-beyond levels of customer service to its ever-increasing client base and daily fee visitors. “Again, Mr. Williams’ foresight has come into play with such revolutionary concepts as providing our golfers with complimentary breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages* at the Club.” (* does not include alcoholic beverages). Lake Lanier Islands Resort also carefully designs golf-inspired luxury accommodation packages for golfers who wish to extend their resort golf experience over two or more days at significant savings.

Exceptional turf conditions, a budget-friendly Golf Partnership Program, and the old-fashioned (but often forgotten) “customer first” sense of doing business has made Legacy on Lanier Golf Club a real contender in the Atlanta market in recent months. Combine all of that with awe-inspiring views and a lakeside breeze at one’s back, and Lake Lanier Islands Resort’s Brian Conley can ensure golfers all throughout the Southeast with an experience they won’t soon forget.

About Lake Lanier Islands Resort: Nestled on the southern-most shoreline of Lake Sidney Lanier at the foothills of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains lies the truly distinctive Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Situated less than 45 miles from downtown Atlanta on 1,100 pristine acres of forests, meadows and beaches, this luxury resort is quickly growing in size, scope and reputation as one of the Southeast’s leading lakeside retreats. The Resort’s crown jewel – Lake Sidney Lanier encompasses 38,000 miles of surface area and 690 miles of shoreline in Northeast Georgia, and is one of the United States’ most popular man-made lakes. The recent additions of Legacy Lodge and Conference Center and Legacy Villas enhance the Resort’s broad assortment of accommodation choices and meeting sites – making it the ideal choice for corporate meetings and company retreats. Popular amenities such as Chattahoochee Rapids Beach and WaterPark, the Equestrian Center, and Harbor Landing – offering Lake Lanier’s largest fleet of rental boats – make the Resort a terrific choice for families vacationing or “staycationing” in the South. Tranquility – the Spa and the picturesque 18-hole course at Legacy Golf Club are major draws for visitors looking to relax or play, and with more than 20 wedding venues to choose from, it is rapidly gaining favor with brides- and grooms-to-be as a highly sought-after Destination Wedding site. Operated by Islands Management Company, LLC since 2005, Lake Lanier Islands Resort is steadily gaining a solid standing for their unique vision of the future of this luxury retreat, their unswerving dedication to the comfort and enjoyment of their guests, and their signature brand of Southern Hospitality. For more information, schedule a tee time, learn package details or to make reservations, call 1-800-840-LAKE (5253) or visit our website at http://www.lakelanierislands.com.