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Sweet Carolina

July 03, 2008

South Carolina is home to great food, great golf, and — believe it or not — the largest Gingko farm in the world. The state’s Myrtle Beach area is a well-known family destination, and Hilton Head will always be a good place to injure your credit card before heading out for a round of golf.

But the real beauty of South Carolina may lie in the state’s interior and in its northwestern highlands. In fact, the Blue Ridge Mountains for which North Carolina is so famous actually begin in South Carolina. And there, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, sits one of the country’s premier golf communities, The Reserve at Lake Keowee.

Located in the town of Sunset on nearly 30 miles of Lake Keowee’s beautiful shoreline, The Reserve at Lake Keowee is just two hours from both Atlanta and Charlotte, but feels a world away from everything.

Community residents benefit from laid-back Southernstyle homes, an elegant clubhouse, top-tier dining and a world of amenities, which will soon include an Arnold Palmer Premier golf course. They also benefit from 3,900 acres of the Southeast’s most beautiful scenery: untouched woods full of oaks, pine, maple and poplar; the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains; quaint neighboring towns; and, of course, Lake Keowee itself.

Originally created by the Duke Power Company for power generation, the lake — one of the few classified as drinkable — measures 18,500 acres with 300 miles of shoreline. There’s quite a bit of history at the lake site, the name of which roughly translates from the Cherokee to mean “Place of the Mulberries.” Hernando DeSoto came through the area in 1540, and for years it was the site of an important Cherokee town. The town was destroyed by the British in the Anglo- Cherokee War of the mid-18th century, and the site eventually became the lake it is today. Vacationers now flock to its shores for Lake Keowee’s boating, fishing, water-skiing, swimming, camping and picnicking.

Residents of The Reserve at Lake Keowee get to enjoy all of that and more, year-round.

Community Hub

With lakefront home sites available, and a marina for all residents to enjoy, the lake is an integral part of life at The Reserve. So is The Orchard House, the casually elegant hub of social life in the community. Wide verandas, porches with comfortable rocking chairs, cozy fireplaces inside and out and beautiful exposed brick rooms with pine floors and oriental rugs set the scene for perfect lazy days and nights. Whether it’s croquet on the front lawn or meals on the back porch, The Orchard House is the perfect place to catch a sunset, (or indeed a sunrise for those that like to awake with the birds) and kick back with friends.

When it comes to food, The Reserve’s dining options are varied and flexible but sure to satisfy any appetite. New South cuisine, grille favorites and European delights are served at The Orchard House, casual but excellent burgers and such are served near the pool. For those seeking nourishment and refreshment during play superb sandwiches and various drink options are available at the Halfway House (by the golf course’s No.9). Menus are substantial, and all the food is top-shelf.

Golf

In addition to being a social hub, The Orchard House also serves as The Reserve’s golf clubhouse. The 20,000 square-foot facility contains men’s and women’s locker rooms, card rooms, lounges and a full pro shop, all of which serve the existing Nicklaus Course.

Soon, the existing course will be joined by one of the first Arnold Palmer Premier Golf Complexes. In addition to a Premier 18-hole course, the Complex will hold a par-3 course and a top-tier learning center. As fans know, Arnold Palmer Premier courses are set to redefine the golf experience as we currently know it. Incredible detail will be paid to both the construction and operation of the course, which will inevitably be one of the finest courses in the Southeast. Residents of The Reserve at Lake Keowee will be fortunate indeed to have this fine facility in their backyards.

Village

More than just another golf course neighborhood, The Reserve at Lake Keowee is a full-on community. The pulse of the community is the Village. With the golf course and Orchard House on one side and the lake on the other, the Village is comprised of all the best parts of small-town living. A Marina, Post Office, Market and coffee shop, Pool Pavilion and other shops and services are all around the Great Lawn — the perfect place for kids to fly kites, families to picnic or friends to gather and watch live music under the stars.

The lakeside Pool Pavilion is a fantastic spot for great summer fun. An interactive water playground, grottos with waterfalls and a dedicated pool keep the kids happy, while adults enjoy the larger pool, complete with fountains and hot tub. Locker rooms, lounge chairs and a poolside grill complete the perfect outdoor spot.

Outdoor Living

Of course, life at The Reserve at Lake Keowee isn’t all about golf and water. Surrounding the community are a million acres of protected forest. As the headwaters of four rivers, and containing numerous waterfalls, this special part of the world is home to numerous rare plants, including the wild Oconee Bell. Within The Reserve itself, there are miles of hiking trails to explore and a Trail Guide to help families find their way. More than 550 acres in The Reserve have already been setaside in perpetual conservation easement to preserve natural habitats for the native plants and animals, and that means more nature and a better appreciation of the area for families.

So Much More

In addition to the amenities mentioned above, The Reserve at Lake Keowee offers residents a full Racquet Club, fitness center, endless recreational opportunities and a wide variety of mountain view, lakefront, golf course and water access home sites.

For a true living experience on a mountain lake — just an hour from Greenville, SC, and two hours from Atlanta — The Reserve at Lake Keowee may just be the ideal place to call home.

For more information, visit www.reserveatlakekeowee.com or call (888) 217-8884.

Posted: July 3, 2008 02:03 PM