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THE CLIFFS
Golf reigns supreme—for the whole family—at this distinctive collection of communities and courses in one of America’s most picturesque settings
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove
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Golf rounds are up around the country. It is easy to see why when private golf communities like The Cliffs, which straddles North and South Carolina in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, are offering a comprehensive golf experience that caters to the whole family. Having six championship golf courses (with a seventh opening in the fall) within their collection of seven residential communities, gives The Cliffs a decided advantage in the scope of golf offerings. That members enjoy reciprocal playing privileges at all the courses through a single membership sets them apart. Resort Living Magazine described it as “undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive private club memberships in the world.” John and Pat Gentleman, who are members at The Cliffs Valley, found it irresistible. The Gentlemans moved from Florida where they lived at a highly respected club with two golf courses. “We’ve belonged to a number of great country clubs around the country,” says John, “but nothing like The Cliffs in the sense we have six—and soon to be seven—courses to play any time we want. But it’s not just the quantity, it’s the quality. We feel like we belong to seven country clubs. We moved here mainly for the golf experience.” The location in the western Carolinas between Asheville, North Carolina and Greenville, South Carolina, played an influential role, too. His wife, Pat, is very involved in the equestrian world. “This area is great for horses,” says John. “The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards has a wonderful equestrian venue that borders national parkland. “One of the wonderful things about the golf experience here is there are plenty of leagues and groups to join,” adds John. “If you are new to The Cliffs, you can get into one of them easily.” For Chris Deedy of Atlanta, it’s all about the golf. He purchased at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards for the golf membership. “The golf is second to none,” says Chris, who is also a member at TPC Sugarloaf outside Atlanta. “I came to play here and was so impressed I bought. I have three courses in close proximity and can get to them by boat. They keep the courses in great shape.” Golf is a family sport for Chris and his two college kids. One of them recently told him, “I can’t think of anything more fun than playing golf at The Cliffs with you.” That is enough to make Chris say, “My desire is to retire—when the time comes—at The Cliffs. In the interim, the golf is a firstclass experience. They treat you like a king.” The newly announced Family Legacy Membership will make family golf time even easier and more enjoyable. Developed to encourage multiple generations of families to visit and enjoy The Cliffs lifestyle, the program extends full membership privileges to parents, children, and grandchildren. It will also open up more opportunities for family golf events in a comprehensive golf program that runs the gamut from summer golf camps for kids to low-handicap events for men. “The Cliffs is about families and we want families to gather here year round, not just during the holidays, but every day,” says Davis Sezna, CEO of The Cliffs Clubs. “The response to our Family Legacy Membership has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.”
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The Cliffs enjoys one of the most picturesque settings in the country. Its communities are set among a million acres of protected parkland reaching north to Asheville, North Carolina, and south to Greenville, South Carolina. Members can choose from three regions—Mountain, Lake Keowee, and Asheville—across seven communities: The Cliffs at Mountain Park, The Cliffs Valley, The Cliffs at Glassy, The Cliffs at Keowee Springs, The Cliffs at Keowee Falls, The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, and The Cliffs at Walnut Cove. Donna Bailey resides at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, home of a thriving women’s golf program. Donna serves on the board of the LPGA Foundation and as president of the Walnut Cove Members Charitable Association. “My husband and I made the decision to leave the coast and move here because we love the Asheville area,” says Donna. “We
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Members at The Cliffs enjoy reciprocal playing privileges at all six (soon to be seven) championship courses.
The Cliffs at Glassy
love the community, there’s a fabulous hospital system, an incredible arts scene, and everything is easy to get to.” With Donna’s work with the LPGA, it comes as no surprise that women’s golf is so vibrant. “The impact women are making just in our community of Walnut Cove alone is huge. This may be the first time some women have ever played. We make it comfortable and fun.” One of the ways they do that is by offering 3-hole, 6-hole, 9-hole, and 18-hole golf. Women who are new to the game go out and learn with a pro over three stress-free holes and get to enjoy themselves. After playing, the women (whether they’ve played 3 or 18 holes) all have lunch together. On Monday afternoons, with the encouragement of the club, Donna leads a golf program for young girls. Encouragement and fun are the keys. “Every year we have a The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards
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The Cliffs at Keowee Springs
big tournament for everyone—men and women,” says Donna. “We play against each other and have a blast. Everyone comes out to encourage each other.” That sentiment is echoed by Dr. Alan and Patti Dowling, who have a home at The Cliffs at Glassy. “The staff has been very supportive,” says Alan. “Both our kids played and they encouraged them. Our kids loved it. They took advantage of the great practice The Cliffs Valley facilities that are different at each course. They also took advantage of the instruction. The staff is really encouraging for junior golfers. The pros, a beach club, marinas, and restaurants cater to a wide range of assistants, all the golf staff, go out of their way to welcome kids to interests. To date, there are more than $150 million in amenities completed, with new ones on the way. All of which has earned practice and play.” Though the Dowling’s main course is The Cliffs at Glassy, they The Cliffs recognition as one of “America’s Top 10 Golf Communities” by GOLF Magazine and “Top 10 Private Golf Communities” enjoy playing all the courses. “It’s nice to make it a by Robb Report. day,” says Alan. “You can go to any of the courses, Now under new ownership, The Cliffs has emerged play, shower, and have dinner there. With so many from the recent real estate downturn on solid footing, courses close together, I like to bring my friends for with more than 2,600 memberships. And last month a golf trip.” they announced more than $80 million in real estate This fall, with the opening of The Cliffs at transactions within The Cliffs during 2012, along Mountain Park Golf Course, there will be even with plans for ongoing investment in new amenities more for members to enjoy. The Gary Player(866) 411-5773 CliffsCommunities.com over the next decade. designed course is one of only a few golf courses Homes at The Cliffs are available across the whole currently under construction in North America. Off the course, members enjoy a tremendous variety of amenities. spectrum of their communities. They range in price from $500,000 Wellness centers, hiking trails, tennis courts, an equestrian center, to $4 million, with homesites starting at $100,000.
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