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German article about the Cuscowilla Golf Course (English Translation)
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October 1, 1998 -- Chief Gentle Ben’s Club
Over a century ago, the Creek Indians lived along the Oconee river in the middle of Georgia. The name “Cuscowilla” is reminiscent of one of their legendary chiefs and is a piece of American history. A piece of the American present is two-time Masters champion and the current captain of the US Ryder Cup teams Ben Crenshaw.
Where Chief Cuscowilla once ruled his tribe, Crenshaw has left a mark which will also go down in history – golfing history, of course. For many years now Ben Crenshaw has been making a name for himself as a golf course designer. Here on Lake Oconee he has designed a course, which is simply world class.
Ben Crenshaw and his partner Bill Coore are known for accepting an assignment only if they like the land and can build a really good course on it. They must have liked the land on Lake Oconee a lot. There is no other explanation for the fact that they have created such an exciting course, which will certainly be raved about and will soon appear on the lists of the world’s best golf courses.
It is not surprising if you have never heard the name “Cuscowilla”. The course was only opened last month. During a demonstration round at the “grand opening” on September 12, the Ryder Cup captain, also known as “Gentle Ben” among his colleagues on the tour due to his genial manners, carefully explained his thoughts on designing each of the 18 holes.
The course requires true playing strategy; it is hardly possible to have more fun playing golf anywhere than at “Cuscowilla”. This is certainly also due to the very fast greens, to which Crenshaw devoted special attention. They are very true, easy to read and are certainly among the best a golfer is likely to find. This is pure golfing enjoyment.
“Cuscowilla”, however, is not just a great place to play golf, it is also a wonderful place to live. The 600-acre site is a peninsula in the lake with about 6 miles of shoreline. This private community has an entry which is guarded around the clock and offers a wide spectrum of lots and houses, which are still very reasonably priced (see information below).
What makes “Cuscowilla” so attractive are not only the external conditions, but also the philosophy of the community, which is the mark of its two founders. German entrepreneur Heinz Nathe and his American partner Pete Bailey have invested not only a lot of money, but also much of their hearts here.
This is noticeable as soon as you set foot on the terrain, and the feeling is deepened if you stay a while. Many a visitor would surely like to stay here forever.
Information about Cuscowilla
Address: 640 Old Phoenix Road, Eatonton, GA 31024, USA
German Representation:
Cuscowilla German Office
Gruner Bogen 40
22113 Osteinbek
Telephone 011 49 40 713 245 30
Golf:
Private club with 18 holes and three tee boxes (6847, 6402, and 5348 yards at par 70); clubhouse planned. Driving range, putting and chipping green and pro shop in place.
International Airports:
Atlanta (70 miles); reachable for example by Lufthansa via Frankfurt (about $840), ideally via Delta Airlines direct from Frankfurt, Hamburg or Munich (about $560)
Two Varieties of Golf Memberships:
1.“Full Membership”: Family membership with the purchase of a house or lot. Annual fee $1,800.
2.“Club Membership”: A “share” for $26,000 with accommodations for about 4 weeks a year, including golf. Annual fee also $1,200.
Real Estate:
Lots along the golf course or among the trees (from about ˝ acre) starting at about $60,000, lakefront lots starting at about $200,000. Monthly expenses for an average house (taxes, water, electricity, etc.): about $300.
