Sheer numbers tell us The Lake Club is far and away the most popular amenity at Reynolds: There are enough check-ins per year to fill the University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium, almost twice. But the most important story of The Lake Club is deeper than numbers. It can only be uncovered by asking, "What if there were no Lake Club to check into?"
What if there had never been an infinity pool, indoor pool, café, tennis center, fitness center, fitness classes, ballroom, epic view of Lake Oconee, and a welcoming invitation for every Reynolds Member to enjoy all of this in one place?
"It's an interesting question," says Director of Wellness Tyler Mayer, from his office at The Lake Club.
As it is, there are mornings when Tyler exchanges hellos along The Lake Club corridor with one of those Members, Scott Hoersten. They know each other, but they haven't spent enough time together to really know each other. And so, until Tyler sees this issue of Reynolds Living, he will be unaware of what Scott knows about the DNA of The Lake Club. Through separate conversations, we are about to layer their perspectives together to form a bridge between the “what if” beginnings of The Lake Club, its thriving present, and a highly anticipated future.
Tyler Mayer: I know Scott is now one of our sales executives here at Reynolds. We see each other coming and going. He’s always friendly and approachable. All I know is that he’s been at Reynolds for a long time.
Scott Hoersten: What I notice about Tyler, he’s genuine. He isn’t here for his own interests. He’s here to make the overall experience at The Lake Club as good as it can be for Members. He fits the personality that we envisioned for the facility.
Tyler: I’ve asked around for some history about this masterpiece, but I’ve only gathered pieces of information. From what I hear, Scott played a significant role.
Scott: In the late 1980s, I was hired as the Vice President of Planning and Development. The first amenities we created were Linger Longer Park — where the pickleball center is now — and the infinity pool and tennis courts at Great Waters. We had The Commons for flying kites or playing soccer, but that was about it. The idea of turning lakefront property into an amenity rather than real estate anywhere in the country was a foreign concept. But the Reynolds family wanted to give Members who live on interior lots the opportunity to enjoy the lake.
Tyler: My reaction the first time I came to The Lake Club was, “Wow, what a backdrop.” Most ownership groups would have seen this as a lucrative spot for homesites. There must have been a good reason to do this instead.
Scott: Some people in those early discussions thought the lakefront was too valuable for an amenity, that it should instead be built on interior land, maybe where The Commons is now. But Mercer Reynolds saw all the property that we now know as Reynolds Lake Oconee as a legacy to his grandfather — and for generations to come. He wanted to preserve as much as possible and make sure any development would stand the test of time. One question guided every decision: How will we be judged 20, 30, 50 years from now on a decision we make today? The Lake Club is the epitome of that mindset.
Tyler: We have this top-of-the-line fitness equipment, the pools and café, but I think the environment makes The Lake Club unique. It feels like an escape as soon as you arrive. I’m sure that’s by design.
Scott: The Reynolds family invited voices like mine into the conversations because of my experience in the development of Hilton Head Island. I brought ideas tied to the aura of a waterfront resort vacation. Instead of a traditional pool, we could design an infinity pool to visually incorporate the lake. Let’s create the pool bar like a fun beach bar. Add stairs stepping down to the pools, so you gradually enter the gorgeous view. Include a waterfall and music because the environment is what you see, hear, and even what you smell from the café.
Tyler: For a lot of people, the social aspect is why we exercise. That’s what inspires health and wellness to become a lifestyle, and I see it happening every day at The Lake Club.
Scott: We never thought of this simply as a structure when we drew up plans. We imagined it with people. Keep in mind, we wanted to take this to another level before “wellness” had gone from trendy to mainstream. So, we gathered input from kinesiologists, fitness instructors, and swim coaches. But again, we knew the people using the facility and working in it would develop the culture.
Tyler: Anyone who comes here says the same thing: The Lake Club makes the day better. At any given time, I can step out of my office and stand next to the lake. It’s therapeutic and rejuvenating. Every Member can experience the same thing.
Scott: I come over here just to take it all in, clear my mind. Lakefront lots would have been amazing, but this is an amazing gift for all of us. It’s kind of … magical.
Tyler: The amount of sign-ins speaks volumes about the original decision to build The Lake Club here. The success pushes us to be creative about what to do next. I have a vision. Others have visions. We’ll be ready when the time comes.
Scott: We left some space for more tennis or pickleball courts. Or maybe something will come up that we haven’t considered yet.
Tyler: I know that a lot of thoughtfulness and good intentions enter decisions at Reynolds. The Lake Club exemplifies why that’s so important.
Scott: The decisions we made for this property have literally benefited every Member, not just a few. It doesn’t matter if you like golf, swimming, yoga, weightlifting, or lounging at the pool, anyone can come and enjoy the community experience. We don’t know what might be next, but I would expect the conversation to lead with the same question that gave us The Lake Club: How will we be judged generations from now for the decisions we make today?
