Mercer Reynolds (right) and Pete Dye tour the site of what will be the sixth championship course at Reynolds Plantation. (Photo: Courtesy Reynolds Plantation)

Dec. 19, 2008 -- Bob Cupp, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Rees Jones, Jim Engh and now, Pete Dye. The legendary golf course architect who has created over 120 courses including TPC Sawgrass, Oaktree, Blackwolf Run and Harbour Town Links, is slated to bring Reynolds Plantation its 6th golf course.

On October 15th, Reynolds Plantation hosted a public forum at Georgia Public Broadcasting to announce the details and membership plan on the Dye course. At the age of 83 (or "half of 166" as he jokingly refers to it), Dye will add his name to an already impressive roster of designers at what Robb Report called the "Best of the Best" golf community on Lake Oconee, Ga.

It's not the only roster Dye finds himself falling into lately. This November, Pete Dye joined Robert Trent Jones, Sr., C.B. Macdonald, Alister Mackenzie and Donald Ross as the fifth course architect to be enshrined into the World Golf Hall of Fame. "I was very honored, of course, when they called, I didn't expect it. I'm really pleased," said Dye of the achievement, who credits his "bride" and long time partner in design, Alice, for all of his success.

As far as the Hall of Famer's new course goes, the announcement comes at a unique time in the history of the community - a time when many other developers are cutting back. But this announcement further validates the dedication to the lifestyle that is offered at the Reynolds' communities. Exceeding member expectations is a promise that Chairman and CEO of Linger Longer Companies, Mercer Reynolds, plans on keeping.

"We're so excited to be standing here today after 20 years of membership presenting the plans for our 6th golf course. Our commitment has always been to create an exceptional community that our members can live in and enjoy," Reynolds explained to the audience assembled at the massive studio of Georgia Public Broadcasting. "And I think that it is no exception to have (Pete Dye) with us today - one of the greatest architects - to build our new course."

It is no exception indeed. There is a reason why Dye is a brand new Hall of Fame Inductee, has more Top 100 golf courses than any other architect alive today and considered a living legend in his field. He's involved with every aspect of his courses -- start to finish. And that is something that the Reynolds family undoubtedly respects.

Located north of the Creek Club (Reynolds' 5th course by Engh) on some of the best real estate in the community, Dye is looking to create a walking course. "The topography is the main thing and the topography exists to make it a walking course," says an enthusiastic Dye. "Remember I'm half of 166. If it's easy for me to walk, it ought to be easy for you people to walk it."

One thing's for sure. It will be easy for the Reynolds community to get excited about it.

Approximately 20 years ago, with an announcement of a Bob Cupp-designed golf course, Mercer and Jamie Reynolds established the foundation for what would become a premier golf destination within the Lake Oconee community. Today, over twenty years and five golf courses later, they are excited to see their original vision continue to prosper with the addition of an icon in the world of golf.

"You know Reynolds has a great reputation," Dye says of the host of his new course. "And you hear Reynolds Plantation and you know that the quality is there and it's a great operation. The people I've worked with and the knowledge they have in running an operation like that is really good."