Cliffs Living - Fall/Winter 2023

CLIFFS LIVING

A Magazine With, For & About Members at The Cliffs

Contents

5

LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP

A message from Rob Duckett, President of The Cliffs.

12

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

The first of many ground-up amenities, The Lake Club opens at The Landing.

20

GATHER

A snapshot of festive gatherings from across The Cliffs.

SPIRIT

A look back at our inaugural Rock The Cliffs celebration; CRO by the numbers a global review of giving; a home away from home with our new J1 Program; and all the details of the new Magnificent 7, the new party boat making a splash at Lake Keowee.

44

YONDER

Performance and musical arts take center stage in the mountains of Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina; a curated collection of regional dinner party essentials to accentuate your gathering.

54

THRICE THE TRANSFORMATION

A look into the three ways you can make a house a home—a lot into luxury living at a lakefront oasis, a resale reimagined with a vision of renovation, and a built-for-sale “spec” into spectacular—these families partnered with builders to bring their vision of the perfect home to life.

64

NATURAL BEAUTY

74 30

Explore the flora & fauna of our surroundings. It thrives in this environment and we advocate and celebrate it by calling this area home.

90 104

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

Gary Player and his team create an environmentally sustainable links-style course that is easily the favorite of many members. The playable terrain of a former racetrack blended with the Saluda River-saturated landscape offers a picturesque backdrop for an afternoon of play, any time of year.

HAVEN

A Q&A with the Hallisey family; a Room with a View atop Valley; outdoor living newly enjoyed and long-time enjoyed retreats, al fresco.

VISTA

A collection of people and sights at The Cliffs from our members; a love story of Legacy members at the lake; a Last Look from a resident photographer at Mountain Park.

Welcome to CLIFFS LIVING

Dear Members at The Cliffs,

We are excited to present The Haven Issue—our fall/winter edition of Cliffs Living magazine. We recognize that living at The Cliffs is more than just having your home in one of our seven communities; it is a way of life and a way to connect with your neighbors and the landscapes that surround us. The Cliffs naturally fosters emotional, physical, and spiritual health and we never stop searching for ways to enhance the extraordinary lifestyle. Every plan and program we design is to provide you with more memory-making opportunities, a wealth of experiences as colorfully diverse as the mountains that surround us, and inspired reasons to come home to The Cliffs.

In this issue, we’ll explore the definitive combination of architecture and design used to transform a house into a home; relive the night of our 2023 inaugural Rock The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards; and get a peek at the new Magnificent 7 party boat that will launch spirited adventures, excitement, and fun from the shores of Lake Keowee.

Our dedicated focus remains to provide inspired adventure, amenities, architectural design, educational programs, and entertainment. As we round out 2023 between the bookends of two magical seasons, we wish you peace, joy, and the expectation of another year filled with exceptional adventures and memories made at The Cliffs.

Warmest regards,

ROB DUCKETT President, The Cliffs

. We also invite you to help grow our

by sharing Cliffs Living with family and friends, and then invite them to join you here as a member.

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kristie Harris, The Cliffs

MANAGING EDITOR Rebecca Friedman, The Cliffs

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Claire Billingsley, Community Journals

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kristy Adair, Community Journals

PUBLISHER Mark B. Johnston, Community Journals

GENERAL MANAGER Susan Schwartzkopf, Community Journals

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS A llen Pruitt, Community Journals

PRODUCTION MANAGER Lizzie Campbell, Community Journals

COPY EDITORS Pete Martin, John Stevenson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Claire Billingsley, John Jeter, M. Linda Lee, J. Morgan McCallum, Stephanie Trotter, Bo Wood

VISUAL CONTRIBUTORS

Eli Warren, Savannah Bockus, Bonfire Visuals, Jack Robert Photography, Reel Video & Stills, Zack Peeler Photography, Timothy Banks, Karen Schipper, Daniel Yopp | Better Tie Photo and Video, Patrick O’Brien, Jake James | Vista View Productions, Parker Young

ADVERTISING

CLIENT SERVICES Jessie Davis, Sabryna McMillan

ADVERTISING DESIGN Kristy Adair, Michael Allen

COMMUNITY JOURNALS ADVERTISING TEAM

Donna Johnston, Katherine Alber, Sangeeta Hardy, Katie Leamond, Heather Propp, Tori Skelton

TAKE THE PLUNGE

The Cliffs celebrates the opening of The Lake Club at Keowee Springs

The Lake Club at The Landing at Keowee Springs opened in mid-July—just in time to tackle the summer heat—with its two pools, racquet courts, and a wellness center. “Folks have supported us from day one with this project,” shares Kyle Caudill, General Manager at The Cliffs at Keowee Springs. “This has brought new, communal spaces to all who live nearby. We love seeing everyone enjoying the new facilities.”

The lakeside project was one of several that moved to the front burner when Southstreet Partners of Charleston and Charlotte took over in spring of 2019. Focus shifted to provide the latest in contemporary amenities to those who live here. Construction crews broke ground in May of 2022 and Caudill spent months running plans, reviewing blueprints, and securing staff. “We worked hard to bring all of the pieces together,” he reveals. “It’s been a long-time coming and it’s phenomenal.”

What truly sets the amenitiy apart is how Lake|Flato Architects’ design flows with the topography of the land and complements activities already offered at The Beach Club. “The vertical timber structure of the building and pool pavilion echo the surrounding trees and root the architecture in the native landscape,” says Associate Partner Graham Beach. “Exterior circulation and generous windows blur the distinction between indoors and out and ensure constant connection to nature.”

The Lake Club is a welcome addition to a growing Keowee Springs community; a new clubhouse is underway as well as many new residential communities including Waterscape, which neighbors The Lake Club. Built by Cliffs Builders, Waterscape was also designed by Lake|Flato with surrounding nature in mind. “The design of all the homes

emphasize their connection to the landscape and support modern family lake life,” Beach says.

“The Lake Club offers food and beverages seasonally from April until September,” explains Caudill. “We have kayak and paddle-board rentals on-site and members will have key-fob access to the Wellness Center year-round.”

THE POOLS: Specific attention to detail was put into the swimming pools, which share some deck space, but provide different functions. The smaller of the two is 600 square feet and ringed with steps and wrap-around seating, perfect for hanging out with friends. The heated, larger pool is 1,800 square feet, encompassing waist-deep water, where staff will lead aquaaerobic classes. The larger pool includes significant deck space that is filled with chaise lounge chairs seeking sun-bathers.

RACQUET COURTS: Pickleball fans are delighted with the two courts dedicated solely to the hottest recreation craze in America. The Lake Club also has one full-size tennis court. Providing a hardsurface court was intentional, as it is the only hard court in The Lake Region, which permits winter play options, when clay courts freeze.

WELLNESS CENTER: Those preferring to workout indoors have state-of-theart gym equipment including machines geared toward cardio and functionalstrength training. Wellness Director Taylor Broadway supervises staff who provide personal training opportunities inside the 850-square-foot facility, as well as yoga on the deck outside, and water aerobics in the pool. Members have key-fob access to the Wellness Center to work out at their leisure outside of regular operating times.

The Lake Club sits as the southernmost amenity within The Cliffs communities, bringing fun and adventure closer to the backyards of so many members, including those living in The Landing. “It’s less than 10 minutes by boat and less than 15 minutes by land from the main gate of The Beach Club,” reveals Caudill. “We have such an active membership. We’ve had tremendous success at The Beach Club and we see The Lake Club as an extension of outdoor opportunities for all. It’s elevating living at The Cliffs to another level.”

“We’ve had tremendous success at The Beach Club and we see The Lake Club as an extension of outdoor opportunities for all. It’s elevating living at The Cliffs to another level.”

KYLE CAUDILL, GENERAL MANAGER AT THE CLIFFS AT KEOWEE SPRINGS

Jennifer Everatt & Jessica Lewis

Leah Bohnen & Venita Olsen

The Summit Welcome Party

The Cliffs at Glassy

The Summit, the ladies’ member-guest golf tournament, kicked off with a Margaritavillethemed welcome reception inspired by the islands and the sounds of Jimmy Buffet. Partygoers enjoyed the spoils of the double-barrel margarita machine and snacked on seared scallops, tuna wontons, and Thai chicken lettuce cups. The ladies practiced their putting skills with an indoor 9-hole course that traversed the clubhouse.

GATHER

Karen Starbuck

Pam Prescott, Leslie Vogelmeier, and Sharon Bunch

Laura Johnson & Marianne Jones

Char Tripoli & Jolene Wohlscheid

Jacquelyn Hokamp & Alison Hokamp with Duke

Tammy & Anthony D’amore with Veni & Toby

Riley Salowich & Brice Berto with Bodhi

Brian Clark & Ray Clark with Jersey

Dog Day at The Beach Club The Cliffs at Keowee Springs

Dog Day is a time when man’s (and woman’s) best friend can experience the joys of splashing and jumping in The Beach Club pool. Members mingled while watching their beloved pets chase balls—and each other—during one of the two days each year that dogs are welcomed inside The Beach Club gates.

Mike & Joan Grasso with Rosie & Lilly

Rick & Robin Gasloli with Penny & Mia

Carolyn Ullerick with Pebble

GATHER

Jeff Moore with Bentley

Eric DeFrain

Scott Austin

Jeff Gwinn & Robert Olsen

Father’s Day Cookout and Car Show

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

Dads were celebrated in style at Walnut Cove’s Father’s Day Cookout and Car Show. The car show, held on the event lawn, displayed members’ vintage, import, and muscle cars. The car-themed menu included Big Mac Truck Sliders, VW Bratwurst, and Nut & Bolts Salad. The crowd enjoyed bluegrass and classic rock music from Marc Keller Band.

GATHER

Jordan & Bob Johnson

Rob Daniels & Pat Ryan

Mark Kurland

Celeste & Mike Calogero

Nancy & Dan Zivney

Grey Austin

PHOTO BY STONE IMPRESSIONS

A ROCKIN’ GOOD TIME

Inaugural all-club festival tunes up crowd with music, food, and activities

Bill Shillinglaw finally took some rare time off, grabbing an evening away from his usual, and stressful, work as a trauma surgeon at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.

And so it was in April that the physician and his wife, Michelle, joined some 750 other members for Rock The Cliffs, the inaugural festival of world-class live music, mouth-watering food, and superb weather at the Equestrian Center within the gates of The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards.

“She mentioned the show,” Dr. Bill, as Michelle calls him, recalls. “And I said, ‘Yeah, you know, I’d love to go.’” Still, he adds, “I didn’t know what to expect because I hadn’t frankly taken advantage of some other opportunities.”

What the Shillinglaws found that night exceeded everyone’s expectations, says Brian Fox, General Manager at Keowee Vineyards. Fox and his team organized an experience unlike any other The Cliffs had ever pulled off: one major event that brought together all seven communities at The Cliffs.

Turns out, Fox says, more than twice the number of people they had anticipated showed up that evening at Keowee Vineyards.

They came to see a blockbuster lineup of bands. Fifteen-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder headlined the concert with their unparalleled bluegrass. A local singer-songwriter, Kayla McKinney, enchanted the crowd along with a Nashville-based Californian, Sofie Lynn, who provided some familiar tunes heard on the Paramount TV series, “Yellowstone.” And a rock ‘n’ roll band from Western North Carolina, Crocodile Smile, capped off the show, with the crowd up and dancing.

And that gave event goers the chance to burn off calories. The spread

included smoked barbecue and a Lowcountry boil as entrees, along with The Cliffs’ food truck loaded with desserts, a fire pit for s’mores, and a whiskey trailer. Oh, let’s not leave out the mechanical bull, ax throwing, and lasso tossing.

The Keowee Vineyards’ Equestrian Center served as the made-forTV setting. “We just kept saying, ‘Oh, my God, this is something out of ‘Yellowstone!’” Michelle says, referring to the Paramount TV blockbuster.

Well, that’s just what Fox had envisioned when President at The Cliffs Rob Duckett tasked him with putting together the extravaganza in partnership with Cliffs Realty, the headlining sponsor.

Now he says he gets goosebumps whenever he talks about Rock The Cliffs, having watched “something that you’re so passionate about and pour so much of your time into and to see people actually sign up for it and then, the day-of, people actually showing up. The sun is out, the smells of food, the sound of these beautiful voices.”

Likewise, he congratulates all the teams at all The Cliffs communities for working together to hit all the right notes.

While all clubs at The Cliffs routinely provide seamless golf tournaments and picture-perfect member events, Fox says, “What I’m most proud of is the collaboration of multiple clubs at The Cliffs donating their talents and their staff to one vision, to one night. Multiple clubs coming together for something like that is extremely rewarding, and I’m extremely humbled by everybody’s generosity to provide their skills and talents.”

As Dr. Bill puts it, “Everything just was handled so smoothly. It was no fuss, no muss. From the moment you got in there, it just felt like you were really well taken care of.”

Tammy and Bob Nicholson knew they were in for a treat the moment they boarded a coach from their home at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove to the venue— bus transportation was provided for all communities at The Cliffs.

While Bob enjoys golf and tennis and Tammy takes advantage of the gym and both lap up the pools and such events as wine tastings, Tammy says they’re already looking forward to the next Rock The Cliffs.

“We will definitely plan for this around whatever other events they have,” she says. “This was exceptional. It was a pretty big-time thing that was really enjoyable from the time we got there.”

For the Shillinglaws, childhood sweethearts who have been married 25 years and have had a home at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls since 2015, the experience proved to be something of a game-changer, even perhaps a lifechanging event.

“Dr. Bill’s schedule is so crazy, and so it’s hard to plan things, but he’s getting ready to slow down and ready to semiretire,” Michelle says. “It was so amazing because it was such a good, creative visualization for him for what’s ahead.”

Bill wholeheartedly concurs.

Although he still keeps a condo in Asheville, close to work, he says of that epic night out: “It just really inspired me to spend more time down there at the lake, more time with my wife, taking advantage of those things and just slow down and really enjoy life.”

“It just really inspired me to spend more time down there at the lake, more time with my wife, taking advantage of those things and just slow down and really enjoy life.”

— BILL SHILLINGLAW, MEMBER AT THE CLIFFS AT WALNUT COVE

CLIFFS RESIDENTS OUTREACH

CRO supports children and their immediate families nearby in Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee counties in South Carolina; with programs focused on: literacy; technology, education (K-12 and early childhood), nutrition, human services, and student/family crisis situations.

ORGANIZATION

2007

THE YEAR CLIFFS RESIDENTS OUTREACH

WAS ESTABLISHED AS A 501(C)(3) non-profit with the mission to “Provide resources to regional children that promote opportunities for academic and life-long success.”

CRO has a board of directors, officers, and representatives from each of the five community-level advisory councils.

SOUTH CAROLINA COMMUNITY CRO s GLASSY, VALLEY/ MOUNTAIN PARK, KEOWEE VINEYARDS, KEOWEE FALLS, AND KEOWEE SPRINGS.

To efficiently and effectively serve the local communities, the board empowers each of the five community advisory councils to drive CRO engagement with local program recipients, volunteers, and donors.

STRATEGY AND MISSION

100%

CRO AIMS TO BE A 100% VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION as much is practical. Some technicaland financial-management services may be contracted (e.g., website management, audit and accounting services).

1,000 +

NUMBER OF CRO VOLUNTEERS. The Keowee Springs CRO recently won the 2023 South Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Award for Group or Family Service for its notable growth from six to 40 in the number of mentors it provides to the schools it supports.

70%

BY THE NUMBERS 5

CRO strives to maintain a donor base where at least 70% OF FUNDS COME FROM RESIDENTS

90% OR MORE

OF FUNDING GOES DIRECTLY TO CRO’S MISSION

In fiscal year 2022, administrative and fundraising expenses were 4.5% of CRO’s funds.

REACH AND IMPACT

13,000

THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IMPACTED ANNUALLY in the Upstate by CRO support.

$ 500,000

IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT

THE AMOUNT CRO PROVIDES ANNUALLY to support programs and organizations across the Upstate. This has increased significantly since Cliffs Residents Outreach launched in 2007.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

In any given fiscal year, the amount provided to specific categories of programs can shift based on needs and priorities. In fiscal year 2022, the funding was spread among the following categories:

GENERAL EDUCATION

This category encompasses everything from scholarships to music education to summer academic camps

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

Examples include the purchase of tablets and laptops, educational software, robotics kits, and specialized technology for programs in website design, animation, and even mechanical engineering classes

HUMAN SERVICES

This category captures funding support for everything from medical assistance to family emergency-housing assistance

NUTRITION

Examples include weekend backpacks of food for families to nutritious after-school snacks

READING INITIATIVES

Spans programs that replace and upgrade library books; school literacy initiatives such as One School One Book; and specialized support for children needing extra help to reach grade-level competency

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

This includes everything from improvements to school facilities such as library furnishings, to basic supplies so that no students start school without their supplies

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Funding support has aided in everything from improving playgrounds for preschool/Pre-K to ageappropriate books

4 0% increase in overall giving in the last 5 years.

WORLD OF FLAVORS

J-1 program brings international students to The Cliffs culinary, food and beverage programs

It’s widely known that members throughout The Cliffs’ seven communities have tasted the world. Thanks to a new program at The Cliffs, a variety of far-flung tastes have arrived in the clubhouses’ kitchens—and some of those flavors can get a little spicy.

“When I was planning this menu for them,” Danish Mansoori says of the Indian specials he cooked up at The Cliffs Valley one week last spring, “it was a task for me to control the spices and make them according to members’ tastes.”

Danish, 24 and from Mumbai, happens to be The Cliffs’ first intern through the U.S. State Department’s J-1 visa. The Exchange Visitor Program welcomes foreign nationals ranging from au pairs to culinary students and research scholars to food and beverage workers.

For The Cliffs, the program presents a tasty opportunity to bring a world of talent to its culinary and food and beverage services, says Steve Savage, Recruitment Manager at The Cliffs.

The Cliffs aims to hire 21 of these young people each year, who, at the moment, hail from the Philippines, Nepal, Turkey, and Zimbabwe, with most, like Danish, coming from India.

After undergoing a competitive hiring process and securing the prized J-1 visas, interns work for a year at The Cliffs, which provides housing and a stipend.

“They’re amazing. Their work ethic is just incredible,” Savage says. “They’re representing their countries with their native cuisine and getting a chance to get

Danish Mansoori

their name out there. For them, it’s great, and it’s great for us.”

Danish arrived at The Cliffs Valley last August. When he got the opportunity to show off his chops, he prepared two Indian appetizers—chicken lollipops and butter-garlic shrimp—and two entrees— butter chicken with naan and beef roulade with rogan josh, a tomato-based curry sauce.

Back home, he explains, “the food’s gotta bring the heat.” Here, though, “I did many trials before I put it on the menu, I tried to do very light spice, as much as I could,” he says. “And I was successful at it.”

Cheryl Chng, who joined The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards’ food and beverage department this past April, finds participation in The Cliffs’ J-1 program a success on multiple levels.

The 23-year-old server speaks whimsically of her new surroundings, so far from her tropical and bustling hometown in the Philippines.

“Nature calms me,” she says. “Every morning when I go to work it feels surreal. Nature is everywhere. I pass by so many trees and animals, and when I reach Keowee Vineyards, the air is so fresh. It really motivates me.”

And she echoes what Danish says about their experiences at The Cliffs so far. “I feel so grateful because I interact with the people who are more professional than me and I’m learning how to deal with it, how to serve them in a proper way,” she says. “I’m so grateful for the experience that The Cliffs gave me at their club.”

“Every morning when I go to work it feels surreal. Nature is everywhere. I pass by so many trees and animals, and when I reach Keowee Vineyards, the air is so fresh. It really motivates me.”

CHERYL CHNG

Cheryl Chng

SET SAIL

Take in Lake Keowee aboard The Cliffs’ new party boat

The Cliffs recently added a new amenity to its fleet: the Magnificent 7. The stunning, 53-foot boat is being used for club events, cruises, and private member charters.

“The boat is another way members can build relationships and forge friendships,” says Rob Duckett, President of The Cliffs. “It’s an extension of The Cliffs experience.”

Made by renowned boating manufacturer Destination Yachts, the Magnificent 7 has everything needed to keep you entertained while cruising Lake Keowee. There’s a full bar, a grill station, two refrigerators, a PA system, and restroom. Whether you’re on board for a member event or private charter, our talented chefs and staff can provide delicious food and quality service anywhere on the water.

The 16-foot-wide, stunning navy and blue vessel has a 42-person capacity including captain and crew. It can comfortably seat 25 guests downstairs and has four additional bar stools on the upper deck.

Captain Charles Fox

“When we saw this amenity, we said this is a great plus. So, we got 33 people together to go out on the boat. Where else can you go on a beautiful day to get out on the lake and have food, wine, drinks, and just a great day with friends? I hope other people take advantage of getting parties together.”

— MARK KRAMARZ, MEMBER AT THE CLIFFS AT GLASSY

According to Captain Charles Fox, who operates the Magnificent 7, one feature stands out the most. “Having two levels: the upper deck offers fabulous views of Lake Keowee in every direction,” he says.

Fox is excited to share those views with our membership. “The Cliffs is all about making memories, and the Magnificent 7 will be such a special way to make many grand memories for years to come.”

“I think it’s a great opportunity for all members at The Cliffs to come down and enjoy a day on the lake. I look forward to not only going on the boat in the summer, but imagine what it’s going to be like in the fall when you get a chance to watch the leaves turn. The Magnificent 7 is a great new amenity for all of us.”

— JIM BATCHLER-SMITH, MEMBER AT THE CLIFFS AT GLASSY

That’s Entertainment

Members discover a wealth of performing arts opportunities tucked into the mountains of Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina

You might think that moving to the mountains from big metropolitan areas across the U.S. would be a tough act to follow in terms of access to performing arts. Yet many members at The Cliffs who were fans of the high-quality productions in their former cities are surprised to find that Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina steal the show when it comes to music and theatre.

“For us, [access to the arts] was a very important part of our decision to come to The Cliffs,” says Bob DiBella, who moved to The Cliffs at Keowee Falls in 2009 from Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania, with his wife, Carol Savage. “We just love music. We had season tickets to the Civic Light Opera’s Broadway series in Pittsburgh. So, when we came down here, our biggest fear was ‘what’s going to be in Western North Carolina and the Greenville area from an arts perspective?’ And we found that there’s a hell of a lot more than we ever expected.”

Shortly after the couple moved to The Cliffs, they purchased season tickets to the Peace Center in Greenville, followed by Centre Stage, Greenville Theatre, and Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina, where Bob now serves on the board. “The traveling Broadway shows at the Peace Center are first class,” says Carol. “We also attend a lot of the singer/songwriter sessions, like Maya Sharp and Edwin McCain at Genevieve’s,” Bob adds. Both appreciate the Peace Center’s variety of offerings, which include Broadway musicals, dance, and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra.

The DiBellas, now major donors to the Peace Center, enjoy the Greenville arts scene so much that they purchased a condo downtown, so they don’t have to drive home after a show. In fact, their season tickets to Flat Rock Playhouse are for Thursday matinees, which leaves them free to do “double-headers,” adding an evening performance at the Peace Center.

Clockwise from top left: Asheville Symphony; Tryon Concert Association; Flat Rock Playhouse; Peace Center Concert Hall; Brevard Music Center’s Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium; Peace Center exterior; Brevard Music Center’s Parker Concert Hall exterior.

Clockwise from top: Asheville Community Theatre; Tryon Concert Association; Flat Rock Playhouse; “Stomp” at Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.

MUSIC TO THEIR EARS

Music lover Chip Boyle discovered the Tryon Concert Association (TCA) after he first moved to The Cliffs at Glassy from Detroit , Michigan, in 2011. Committed to enriching the Tryon community by bringing a world-class series of concerts to the area, TCA stages four concerts a year at the 315-seat Tryon Fine Arts Center. “I was absolutely amazed to discover that the performers I had seen live in Detroit and Chicago were performing in Tryon, in a beautiful and acoustically sound facility,” shares Boyle, who was recently elected secretary of the TCA board.

The London Chamber Orchestra, the Dresden Symphony, German cellist Johannes Moser, and Canadian virtuoso pianist Marc-André Hamelin are just a handful of the hundreds of talented musicians that TCA has brought to Tryon. “And these brilliant performers are 20 minutes from my doorstep at a fraction of the metropolitan area ticket cost,” adds Boyle, noting that the cost of a season subscription to TCA is a steal at $150. “In the Southeastern U.S., I’d put Tryon up against anybody.”

Another Glassy member, Terry Batchler-Smith has served on TCA’s board for three years and is heading into his second term. He points out that what the Fine Arts Center may lack in size, it makes up for in intimacy.

“TCA focuses on chamber music and small groups that bring a sense of intimacy to the classical works performed on its stage. The performers can engage with the audience in a way you don’t find at larger venues. It’s such a different experience.”

THE LITTLE PLAYHOUSE THAT COULD

In 1937, a group of struggling performers, led by English-born actordirector Robroy Farquhar, organized themselves as the Vagabond Players. Eventually, the troupe found their way to the village of Flat Rock, where they established a permanent home in 1952. Today, the Flat Rock Playhouse is The State Theatre of North Carolina, hosting a nine-month season including Broadway musicals, comedy, drama, and Music on the Rock® concerts. Even so, Joe Ippolito was skeptical when he went to see his first show at Flat Rock Playhouse, at the urging of his wife, Hilda. Before they relocated to The Cliffs Valley fro m New Jersey in 2006, the couple frequented Broadway and opera productions in New York City. “But after seeing “A Tuna Christmas” at Flat Rock Playhouse, I figured my Broadway problem was solved,” Joe says. He was so impressed with the quality of the performance that he purchased season tickets.

Eventually, the Ippolitos became donors to the Flat Rock Playhouse, where Joe served as both vice president, and later, president of the board. “We are a producing professional, high-quality theatre, and that’s the part that has my heart,” says the retired labor and employment lawyer, who minored in drama in college. “It’s as close to Broadway as you can get.”

An Actors’ Equity theatre, the playhouse brings in talent from all over the country, many of whom have performed on Broadway. After playing the part of Officer Krupke in Flat Rock’s produc tion of “West Side Story” last year, Joe has a new appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes in the rustic theatre. “You look at [the playhouse] and say ‘what the heck is gonna happen in there? And then you walk in and magic happens.”

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

Here’s a sample of the performing arts offerings that are easily accessible from The Cliffs communities.

Asheville Community Theatre – Founded in 1946, ACT proudly embraces its middle name ‘Community,’ serving as a vibrant cornerstone of Asheville’s cultural scene, by providing entertainment, enrichment, and education through the practices and celebration of the theatre arts. 35 E. Walnut Street, Asheville, NC. 828.254.1320, ashevilletheatre.org

Asheville Symphony Orchestra – Formed in 1960 by a group of volunteer musicians, the ASO performs in the 2,300-seat Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. 87 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC. 828.259.5736, ashevillesymphony.org

Brevard Music Center – Don’t miss the center’s acclaimed Summer Festival, which brings in world-class soloists such as Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Joshua Bell. 349 Andante Lane, Brevard, NC. 828.862.2100, brevardmusic.org

Brooks Center for the Performing Arts – The 87,000-square-foot facility is the hub of performing arts at Clemson University, hosting world-class music, theatre, and dance in its 979-seat proscenium auditorium. 141 Jersey Lane, Clemson, SC. 864.656.7787, clemson.edu/centers-institutes/brooks

Centre Stage – This professional theatre presents a year-round slate of diverse programming, in addition to its annual New Play Festival, which focuses on South Carolina-affiliated playwrights. 501 River Street, Greenville, SC. 864.233.6733, centrestage.org

Flat Rock Playhouse – An Actors Equity theatre, the 468-seat venue is known for its excellent performances, which bring in first-rate actors from across the county. 52 Thomas Wolfe Drive, Flat Rock, NC. 828.693.0731, flatrockplayhouse.org

Greenville Symphony Orchestra – Celebrating its 75th year, the GSO performs on the Peace Center stage. 300 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC. 864.467.3000, greenvillesymphony.org

Greenville Theatre – Musicals, mysteries, comedies, and dramas take the stage at the Upstate’s oldest and largest producing professional theatre. 444 College Street, Greenville, SC. 864.233.6238, greenvilletheatre.org

Peace Center – Completed in 1990 and incorporating several historic buildings, Greenville’s premier performing arts center stages everything from Broadway hits to ballet. 300 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC. 864.467.3000, peacecenter.org

Tryon Concert Association – Now in its 69th season, TCA holds four concerts a year—plus several non-subscription performances—at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. 34 Melrose Avenue, Tryon, NC. 828.859.8322, tryonconcerts.org

Walhalla Performing Arts Center – Housed in a historic former school building (1903), WPAC hosts concerts, tribute bands, and comedians among its many shows. 101 E. North Broad Street, Walhalla, SC. 864.638.5277, walhallapac.com

Serve with Style

Accentuate your dinner table with goods from regional makers and shops

A meal—be it an intimate family dinner or a festive dinner party—isn’t just about the food. Create the perfect ambiance by pairing the meal with dinnerware, serving pieces, and decorative accents you and your guests will enjoy. Cliffs Living sourced these beautiful pieces that will be sure to enhance any gathering around the table.

1. END GRAIN WALNUT & SOUTH CAROLINA SERVING BOARDS by Ballew Woodworks—these boards, made from locally sourced wood, provide a beautiful canvas for displaying food. The familyrun business based in Inman and Greer also offers pepper mills, dessert stands, and custom furniture. You can find them at artisan markets, including the TD Saturday Market in Greenville and at ballewwood.com.

2. FLOWER ARRANGEMENT by Sassafrass Flower Farm—these blooms make a gorgeous centerpiece. Choose your own flowers by visiting the farm in Easley for one of their U-Pick events or buy an arrangement in Greenville at The Cook’s Station, M.Judson Booksellers, or the TD Saturday Market. A full schedule of events and offerings is at sassafrassflowerfarm.com.

3. DINNER & SIDE PLATES by East Fork—these plates are as beautiful as they are functional. The plates—along with bowls, mugs, and serving pieces—are handmade by potters in Asheville. Choose from their six muted earth and jewel tones or try one of their punchy seasonal colors. Go by their storefront in either Asheville or Atlanta or visit eastfork.com.

4. CHAMPAGNE FLUTES by Terrane Glass Co.— these hand-blown glasses make an elegant addition to a dinner party. The company, based in Spruce Pine, designs glassware inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Learn more about Terrane Glass Co.’s offerings, including decanters, pitchers, and rocks glasses at terraneglass.com.

5. PITCHER & COFFEE MUGS by Wild Sol Pottery—these items are emblematic of the functional, fun pieces created by Asheville potter Sophie Miller. Miller uses a combination of wheelthrown and hand-built techniques to bring her nature-inspired pieces to life. See more of her work by visiting 2nd Story Potters in Asheville’s River Arts District or at wildsolpottery.com.

6. JUTE ROUND PLACEMAT from The Nested Fig— it’s the little touches like this warm, natural placemat that enhance your spread at a dinner party or family gathering. The Nested Fig, located on Augusta Street in Greenville specializes in the finishing touches for any part of the home. The designers on staff can help you find pieces crafted to your taste. For more information visit thenestedfighome.com

7. TABLECLOTHS & LINEN NAPKINS from The Cook’s Station—tie your table together with a beautifully woven tablecloth and classic linen napkins. Whether you’re a fan of neutrals or a pop of color, The Cook’s Station in Greenville has you covered. The store is a great place to visit for seasoned chefs or foodies. It offers everything from a full line of Le Creuset to an array of spices, wines, coffees, and more. Shop online and learn more about their offerings at thecooksstation.com.

For ears BOGARI has been se ng the trend in fine contemporar f rnishings and has been promo ng the rban lifest le to the fast gro ing Green ille area. We offer f ll interior design ser ice ith a commitment to high q alit merchandise and the highest le el of c stomer ser ice.

Ivet Ivanova

Interior Designer

Fine homebuilding is a journey.

CRAFTSMANSHIP IS OUR COMPASS.

We are a team of conscientious craftsmen who are driven to build ecologically sensitive works of art which uplift the human spirit. Our team of craftsmen handle every aspect of the home building process from grading the site to finish carpentry.

Our distinct team-oriented approach allows our craftsmen to pour the best of their craft into every detail of your home which results in dreams realized by our clients and unparalleled examples of craftsmanship in each detail of the homes we build.

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NEW MEMBERS PARTNER WITH BUILDERS TO BRING THEIR VISION OF THE PERFECT HOME TO LIFE

New members partner with builders to bring their

There are many ways to make a house into a home—from simple updates and unique touches, to the ambitious act of creating from the ground up. In this story, we give you an inside look at the different experiences of three families that culminated in a shared result: beautiful homes at The Cliffs.

FROM LOT TO LIVING: THE GRANATO FAMILY AND GABRIEL BUILDERS

When Jerome and Dawn Granato envisioned an openconcept home on the water, they certainly had more in mind than a simple sketched square—but that humble beginning has led to a beautiful home at The Landing at Keowee Springs.

“When we first sat down with our architect, Richie Martin, he said ‘OK, what are you thinking?’ and we looked at him with blank faces. So he grabbed a pen and drew a square, then added a rectangle for the roof, and we said, ‘that’s a start,’” laughs Jerome Granato.

Having spent time in communities in Virginia and on Lake Ontario, the design-oriented couple knew what they wanted in a house, but Gabriel Builders helped them corral their ideas into a highly functional home that doubles as a hospitable getaway. “[Back home] we were used to steep stairs going down to the water,” adds Granato, “and what sold us on the homesite was the nice gentle slope—our builder called it ‘mountain flat.’ We’re on a peninsula, so it’s almost like being on a little bay. It’s very calm. We love the summer sunrises in the morning, and smoke on the water

“We love the summer sunrises in the morning, and smoke on the water in winter and you can look across the street and watch the sunset, too.”

in winter—and you can look across the street and watch the sunset, too.”

The Granatos visited Gabriel Builders’ Design Center, and fell in love with the kitchen and its French Country style— which also complemented their initial layout idea of being able to walk in the front door into the great room and look straight throughout toward the lake. “We wanted an open floor plan, with sliding glass doors that disappear into the walls and a big screened-in porch area with a little office off the kitchen. They call it a ‘keeping room,’ or a place to keep your guests—which we later learned was a Southern thing,” smiles Granato. “Those were key elements that steered the house design, and the result is transitional: French Countryside to Modern.”

The couple moved in January 2023, but they’ve already played host to many visitors, including their twin daughters, who love the pool and pavilion in the backyard. “We like to entertain, we love to cook, so a lot of thought went into the design of the kitchen, because it is the heart and soul of the house,” reflects Granato. “We wanted a nice big island where we could all gather around and cook and have wine. Our whole intention of building the house this way was so that friends and families would come to visit and stay.”

RESALE HOME REIMAGINED: THE BERGER FAMILY AND ALAIR HOMES

When you’re an interior designer by trade, you’re blessed with a gift: the ability to see the potential in any property to truly shine. That spark of imagination is exactly what lit the way forward for Bradley Berger when she first saw the home she and her husband, Bruce, bought in The Cliffs Valley.

“The house was in major need of an update, in every single way,” reflects Bradley. “But I’m a designer, and I immediately saw that the layout was perfect and the view was gorgeous. It just needed a little love and landscaping work. Within 15 minutes, I knew exactly what I was going to do to transform the house— and Bruce put his faith in me.”

After selling their home in Connecticut, the couple was thrilled for warmer weather at The Cliffs, where they could still be in the same time zone as their three boys in

“I wake up in the morning and look out at these gorgeous views, and feel lucky to live here.”

New York City. To apply their renovation ideas to the property, they brought on Alair Homes, which turned out to be a fantastic long-distance partner in the redesign process. “Every wall was either skim-coated or wallpapered, and every door was replaced. New kitchen, new bathrooms, some new windows, and we replaced the ceramic tile in the kitchen with wood flooring.”

Alair Homes even convinced Bradley to tear out the old fireplace and build her dream living room, rather than waste money on

updating an outdated design. “That was great advice, because it’s the type of thing you never would do after you’ve already moved in,” laughs Bradley, who was shocked at first, but grateful for the stunning result. “I trusted them because they’re a really good builder.”

The Bergers have spent a lifetime collecting art and antique prints, including etchings from the 1900s that were done by her great-grandfather. The artwork adds a unique touch throughout the home, especially in the unexpected addition of a

multiuse study and library room. It was Bradley’s idea to transform one of the “his-and-hers bedrooms” into an office for Bruce.

Even when dealing with the unexpected, like having to replace windows, Bradley remains firm: “Was it worth it? 1000%. It’s more economically advantageous to renovate in this current market. It’s simply faster and less expensive, and there are some great houses on the market where the views are stunning. This is a beautiful property. We just love it and The Cliffs Valley.”

FROM SPEC TO SPECTACULAR: THE SCHREDER FAMILY AND CLIFFS BUILDERS

For Mike and Peg Schreder, simplicity is a beautiful thing—and the new semi-customization option offered in the Wildwood neighborhood at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove was a perfect match for their lifestyle and aesthetic.

“We discovered Asheville when we were moving down to Florida from Pennsylvania,” says Mike Schreder, who enjoyed the Ski Chalet-style of Park City, Utah, with wife Peggy for years. “Outside, we like the mountain aesthetic—we love the timbers, and the stone fireplace on the back deck. But inside, we knew we wanted something more modern and formal, with warm colors, deep blues, Chicago brick on the fireplace.”

The design process with Cliffs Builders was easy and fast. “You have a few options of floor plan, and you can’t change the footprint, or the foundation—but inside, you can go nuts,” laughs Schreder. “So being semi-custom, it’s more manageable. You’re not looking at an infinite number of choices. We chose the four-bedroom model because we wanted the additional flexibility to convert that fourth bedroom into more of a lounge.”

The couple quickly found common ground with Heather Zaragoza, Cliffs Builders’ intuitive interior designer, as well. “We’re usually good at doing our homework, so we showed up with all of these photos from magazines or online. I had one picture of these lantern lights that I was obsessed with. We were there for a few days, and once [Zaragoza] got to know us and what we were looking for, she started pulling up ideas as we were talking, making quick decisions—it was very productive.”

The result is a home that is rustic outside, with rich depth, color, and personality inside. A stone fireplace, deck and screened-in porch give coolness and light, and indoors, moodier tones, brass accents, black staining in the kitchen and leather furniture in the lounge draw you into intimate conversations where the baby grand piano feels right at home. “Our goal was for it to not look like a brand new house right off the bat, but to have some character and coziness right now,” adds Schreder.

In addition to cooking and entertaining, which the couple love to do, Mike is looking forward to getting his tools out of storage and adding his own handmade elements to the home. “I like to work with wood, so we’re actually planning to build the shelves in the library and pantry cabinets ourselves, and in one of the bedroom closets. We have lots of projects that we’ll be doing on our own.”

“This house is truly a culmination of our lives. We’re bringing things from our travels, our other homes, our childhood.”

We bring rigor, imagination, and a commitment to designing with nature to every endeavor. From progressive architecture to intuitive service, we nurture the profound communion between people and place. Find your home — and transcend time — by reconnecting to nature, friends, and family in one of our celebrated luxury communities.

It’s time to revel in the now.

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BEAUTYNatural

THE CLIFFS CELEBRATES AND CULTIVATES ITS RICH, BIODIVERSE SURROUNDINGS

CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMS

Genus Cantharellus are probably the most well known wild edible mushrooms. The most common is the golden chanterelle, Cantharellus cibarius. Chefs and foodies love their delicate flavor it’s sometimes described as “mildly peppery.”

On a particularly stunning spring morning, Greg Prisk hikes along one of the numerous trails that wind through The Cliffs at Keowee Falls.

Here is what he sees: “Ferns, all sorts of trees, which I wish I could identify— maples, oaks, pines—and dappled light, which I absolutely love.”

He stops to take a photo of moss-covered stones that shine like rock stars under the sun’s spotlights: “Mountain laurel, which has just peaked here. Root systems that are two to three inches thick …”

Asked whether the area’s natural beauty helped attract him and his wife, Janet, to The Cliffs, he says, “That was a very large component; it’s the single largest by far.”

The couple, married for nearly 27 years, moved to The Cliffs at Keowee Falls in 2017. Both fell in love with the community’s 2,500 acres of dense forests and cascading waterfalls.

This morning, moving along on his solo trek, Prisk lets out a whistle-sigh—sswhew—that underscores just how breathtaking he finds his surroundings.

“Some people say woods are woods, but, to me, it’s really inspirational,” he says. “I can enjoy going to one of the other six communities. And I can’t count just how many places there are to go hiking around here.”

Jake Wickiser, Outdoor Pursuits Manager for The Cliffs Mountain Region, is very familiar with ample hiking opportunities. He leads members on weekly hiking and mountain biking excursions where he enjoys pointing out wildlife.

Along those hikes, Wickiser frequently spots canopies of blooming rhododendron, ground cedar spread “as far as the eye can see,” and his personal favorite: ferns. “We see many different varieties of fern on our adventures, from small-leaf to larger-leaf variants,” he says. “Many members have been able to transplant ferns from deep in the wilderness to closer to their homes.”

In summer months, hikers can find bright orange, trumpet-style mushrooms called chanterelles. These mushrooms, considered a delicacy by many, are found near decaying or fallen wood. Wickiser says he’s foraged more than 20 pounds of chanterelles, and even gifted some to the executive chefs at Mountain Park.

As for animals seen along the trails, Wickiser says he’s personally seen bears, deer, wild boar, and bobcats.

The region’s critters also include the likes of turkey, grouse, songbirds, and thousands of species of amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and small mammals, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

More specific to communities at The Cliffs in and around Upstate South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina, Appalachian cove hardwood forests “represent some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world outside of tropical zones,” the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission says.

This ecosystem is the perfect environment for one of the rarest wildflowers in the world: the Oconee Bell. Found only in the southern Appalachian Mountains, the low-growing evergreen blossoms with white or pink bell-shaped flowers each spring and thrives in shaded, moist banks or rocky outcrops, according to the South Carolina Parks Department.

For all of this natural largesse, we have to thank rain, says R. Graham Reynolds, associate professor of biology at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

As much as 70 inches of it falls annually, depending on where you live around here, according to the South Carolina State Climatology Office and, for North Carolina, the National Weather Service.

“Rain matters because that’s going to determine a lot—not just the hydrology, but the environments that are found in those areas,” Reynolds says.

OCONEE BELL

Shortia galacifolia, the Oconee Bells or acony bell, is a rare North American plant in the family Diapensiaceae found in the southern Appalachian Mountains, concentrated in the tri-state border region of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. One of South Carolina’s most unique and earliest wildflowers, the Oconee Bell can be found blooming from mid-March to early April.

Ninty-percent of all Oconee Bells bloom in the Jocassee Gorges region.

He points to The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, just 15 miles south of Asheville.

“It’s no accident that the places people like the most are where it still rains so much. That’s part of the draw,” he says. “The reason why Asheville is great is that we’ve got access to all these natural areas that are supported by varying levels of rainfall. It comes with the territory in the sense that the rain generates diversity, which generates the kinds of habitats we enjoy.”

Howard Gutenstein is drawn to water. As much as he says he loves the enveloping flora and fauna, it’s the fishing that lures him to relaxation virtually at his doorstep at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls.

Gutenstein works remotely—37 years in IT—so when he wants to take a break, he simply steps down to the dock and throws a line into Lake Keowee. He has seen beavers, river otters, and giant turtles, really big turtles, he says. And he can go fly fishing in the abundance of lakes, rivers, and streams, some just five minutes from home.

“WE SEE MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF FERN ON OUR ADVENTURES FROM SMALL-LEAF TO LARGER-LEAF VARIANTS.”

— Jake Wickiser, Outdoor Pursuits Manager for The Cliffs Mountain Region

“I like being in the midstream, in the woods. You’ll sit there, and see a bear walk by, or something like that if you’re doing it right. The animals don’t even notice. It’s great,” he says.

The angling opportunities, he says, provide an amenity as valuable as all of the others available to every member at The Cliffs in every community.

For Prisk, that means that while he may not be all that into golf, the 9th and 10th holes on the Keowee Falls course happen to be fine fishing holes.

“I’m a recharge guy by being out in nature, period,” says Gutenstein, a catch-and-release guy as respectful of the environment as The Cliffs’ entire operation strives to be.

Matt Arrington is Director of Landscaping at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls and The Cliffs at Keowee Springs. For the past seven years, he has managed a staff of around 20 who work to enhance what nature provides, providing the human touch with thoughtful landscaping.

For instance, around the Keowee Falls clubhouse, he and his team are adding black-eyed Susan, coneflowers, Shasta daisies, milkweed, and other vibrant, distinctive, and indigenous perennials. That effort blooms with “more color,” he says, “which obviously attracts the bees and butterflies, which a lot of our members appreciate seeing.”

Arrington, who started in his father’s landscaping business when he was 12 and now brings with him 20-plus years of experience, applauds the in-house experts who add to the crew’s initiatives.

“We pride ourselves on using proper horticulture techniques,” he says.

Arrington notes that even proper hedge trimming makes a world of difference in shaping the environment around facilities at The Cliffs.

UNCA’s Graham comments on that attention to detail.

“When communities have master planning to them, which The Cliffs does, they can leverage their ability to include features that preserve the natural environment,” he says, noting “simple things, like hiking and biking trails that really allow residents and visitors to enjoy the kinds of habitats that are there.”

EASTERN WILD TURKEY

Meleagris gallopavo silvestrisors are found throughout South Carolina. They occur in a variety of habitat types, preferring mixed pine/hardwood stands interspersed with fields and/or wildlife openings. Flocks of turkey are most commonly sighted during fall and winter months. The birds roost in trees at night and begin foraging at daylight. As spring approaches and daylight hours increase, the gobblers separate from the flock to set up mating territories.

“I LIKE BEING IN THE MIDSTREAM, IN THE WOODS. YOU’LL SIT THERE, AND SEE A BEAR WALK BY, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IF YOU’RE DOING IT RIGHT. THE ANIMALS DON’T EVEN NOTICE. IT’S GREAT.”

— Howard Gutenstein, Member at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls

“WE ALL ADOPTED THIS AREA ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. WE WEREN’T THE FIRST PEOPLE HERE, PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE THE LAST.”

— Dale Wilde, Friends of Lake Keowee Society president

Dale Wilde is now in her third year as president of the Friends of Lake Keowee Society, a nonprofit organization marking its 30th anniversary this year. With its motto, ACE, which stands for Advocacy, Conservation, and Education, FOLKS boasts 900-plus members. Among them are members at The Cliffs Howard Gutenstein, who serves as vice president, and Greg Prisk, a board member.

“The Cliffs and many of the communities on the lake work hand-in-hand in preserving the lake,” Wilde says. “They really are committed to keeping this lake pristine.”

After all, she says, “We all adopted this area one way or the other. We weren’t the first people here, probably not going to be the last.”

IN THE ROUGHDiamond

Gary Player and his team took flat terrain and created one of the most preeminent, environmentally sustainable links-style courses around

Gary Player has seen it all. Known around the world as the Black Knight, golf’s global ambassador has traveled millions of miles throughout his storied career for competition and course design, which includes nine major championships on the regular tour, nine majors on the senior tour, and hundreds of courses to his name.

The golf world was booming in the mid-2000s. Tiger Woods was at the height of his power, inching closer to Jack Nicklaus’ all-time major record, and golf course architecture was booming with more course openings than at any other point in history. At the time, The Cliffs boasted six championship courses and set its sights on another. The Cliffs was already distinguished as a worldclass collection of luxury communities and its newest layout would differentiate it through a unique links-style of play. The finished product would come years after the initial announcement, but not without immense challenges, both economical and ecological.

Unlike the other courses at The Cliffs, the land that would eventually become The Cliffs at Mountain Park was underwhelming from a prospecting standpoint.

“I vividly remember walking the site before our work commenced,” says Player. “With all I heard about The Cliffs with its mountain settings and lake contours at the other courses, we basically had nothing to work with except the river running through the property.”

That proved to be more than enough for Player and his creativity. “What can we give The Cliffs that they don’t have

to be unique and different in a positive way?” Player recalls thinking at the time.

Player was faced with a similar task in his home country of South Africa at the turn of the century when he awakened an old airfield into a World Top 100 Course at The Links at Fancourt. The similarities of the environment were striking, allowing Player and his team to maximize their expertise and experience.

When the team started getting into the details and engineering of the site, it was met with seemingly endless hurdles, but the obvious solution was making the North Saluda River a key focal point in the course’s routing. But it was a double-edged sword and nearly spoiled by an expansive flood plain that restricted elevation changes and limited the team’s ability to fill earth to shape the golf course. There also is a high-pressure water vein that runs through the property and feeds the city of Greenville that is still active to this day. This meant they had to work around a strict buffer line with no grading, drainage, or piping.

Work commenced and Gary Player Design gave The Cliffs its most personal touch possible, moving its staff and design studio from Palm Beach, Florida, to a new building overlooking The Cliffs at Mountain Park site in the summer of 2008.

“The majority of the golf course was built looking out the window of what is now the Mountain Park Wellness Center” says Jeff Lawrence, Senior Designer of the project. “I was out there every day.”

“One of the most important goals was to make the golf course sustainable as well as economically and

environmentally sound,” says Lawrence. “Mr. Player is passionate about nature so incorporating native grasses, wildflowers, and plants along the river preserved and created habitats for aquatic wildlife, migratory birds, and other species to have an environment to thrive.”

According to Player, the soils on the Mountain Park site were hard to work with and extremely poor in quality. Because of this, a newer type of grass for golf courses, Diamond Zoysia, was selected for its turf and the property was never sand capped, allowing the golf course to play fast and firm, akin to traditional links golf where bump and runs are the frequent shot selection. In total, 60-70 acres of sod was placed on the grounds.

In designing the Mountain Park golf course, Player and his team paid close attention to making the fairways firm, not using too much water or fertilizer, and took full advantage of the natural characteristics of the land. What you see now beyond the fairways is not characterized as rough, but rather native grasses and waste bunkering to bolster the views of Mountain Park’s natural environment.

“Create visual interests, strategic value, and great variety,” says Player. “Mountain Park is a course designed first for members to enjoy but also provides challenges for scratch golfers as well.”

The Cliffs at Mountain Park golf course is set in a stunning wooded valley surrounded by mountains. The course is divided by the North Saluda River and was designed with the highest environmental standards. It was carefully routed to preserve the site’s natural beauty and allow native flora, fauna, trees, and grasses to flourish. What are some of Player’s favorite holes?

“No doubt, Hole 7,” says Player. “It plays as a short par 3 and nearly every golfer will step up to the tee with a wedge in their hand. But you probably make more bogeys than birdies because of little nuances we incorporated with bunkering and a steep drop off to the left. If you miss the green, whether it’s short, long, left or right, there is no easy up and down.”

If you are wondering about the lone tree on Hole 15 acting as a land marker for the green, this is a unique design concept.

“That’s a gun site entry,” says Player. “Where you barely see what you are shooting into. That provides extra strategy and deters golfers from attempting to reach the green in two.”

The Cliffs at Mountain Park officially opened for play in 2013 to rave reviews from members and media outlets; Golf Digest even included the course on its “Best New Courses” list. A decade later, it is still a staple in the rankings and one of The Cliffs’ top-rated courses.

“Would not have done anything differently,” says Player. “With all the challenges we had, the end product was exactly what we set out to accomplish – a visually stunning, environmentally sustainable, and playable links-style golf course intertwined in a mountain setting.”

“Mountain Park is a course designed first for members to enjoy but also provides challenges for scratch golfers as well.”

GARY PLAYER

MOUNTAIN PARK HOLE BY HOLE

NO. 2: PAR 3 - 171 YARDS

The first par 3 at Mountain Park can cause trouble if you’re greedy. There is a telephone pole in the distance which provides a good marker for your line. If the pin is on the right side, keep your ball to the left and use the green’s slope to feed it back to the right.

NO. 3: PAR 4 - 383 YARDS

Players get their first views of the North Saluda River on this picturesque par 4. With pine trees protruding out the left side of the fairway and bunkers on the landing area’s right side, keep as close to center as possible. The green is slightly elevated and be wary of quick putts if the pin is at the front.

NO. 1: PAR 4 - 471 YARDS

Welcome to links-style golf! Off the first tee, players are greeted with a fairway nearly 70 yards wide to work with, but trouble can be found directly off the short grass. Your approach shot leads to an elevated green where a ball hit too firmly or softly can roll off either side.

NO. 4: PAR 5 - 551 YARDS

This par 5 forces players to be cautious of the river that runs along the left side and crosses the green’s front. But too much attention can lead to a fairway bunker shot and limit the opportunity for scoring. A larger front bunker might save balls spinning back toward the river, but the miss here on your approach is on the left side with a bailout area primed for a bump and run.

(yardages from black tees)

NO. 5: PAR 4 - 480 YARDS

This is the toughest rated hole at Mountain Park, and for good reason. The river cutting through the fairway may force you to hit a 3-wood or long iron off the tee, setting up a tough and long approach. Balls coming to rest on the fairway’s right side will be forced to play a cut (or soft draw for lefties) toward the green to avoid a collection of trees splitting your window in half. The green is more long than wide, so even if you are short on your approach, an up and down is possible with minimal bunkering to worry about. Par here is an excellent score.

NO. 6: PAR 4 - 428 YARDS

Your line is key at this dogleg right par 4, with a huge waste area expanding out from the hole’s right edge. Playing it safe to the fairway’s left side will set up a touch longiron approach shot but long hitters may easily carry the waste to set up a shorter iron or wedge shot. The green is protected by the river running across the front and stacked bunkering rock outcropping on the backside. Putts from the green’s right side might be slower than you think.

NO. 7: PAR 3 - 122 YARDS

Don’t let the distance fool you, this is a small but dangerous par 3. There is essentially nowhere to miss the green with tough fescue and a large bunker on the right and a hard slope on the left that could pose a tricky uphill or downhill lie depending on where the ball settles. If your ball stays on the green, hope you’re left with a makeable uphill putt for birdie.

NO. 8: PAR 4 - 391 YARDS

This sharp dogleg left par 4 gives players a large landing area but there is a chance well-hit shots can run through the fairway into the waste area. Your approach most likely will be inviting an uphill lie to an elevated green guarded by two bunkers on the right. The green slopes from left to right but not insanely quick, allowing for a makeable par or birdie putt.

NO. 9: PAR 5 - 499 YARDS

Mountain Park’s shortest par 5 gives players a chance to score before making the turn. A larger fairway bunker gives players a nice target to aim at its right side. A well-hit drive may give players a chance to reach the green in two. But a layup might be the play enabling you to take aim at this inviting green.

NO. 10: PAR 4 - 417 YARDS

Players make the turn and are greeted on the 10th tee by a generous open fairway. Avoid a couple of pesky bunkers on the left side of the fairway and longer hitters should be mindful of a patch of thick fescue in the middle of the fairway. Two greenside bunkers protect both sides of the green, so the smart play is to the middle of the green no matter the pin’s location.

NO. 11: PAR 3 - 151 YARDS

The first par 3 on the back 9 holes presents players with a large green border by a pond to the left that creeps around the backside. Take aim at the pin, and if necessary, bail to the right for a manageable bumpand-run play to save par on the course’s easiest rated hole.

NO. 12: PAR 4 - 460 YARDS

Off the tee, your line is the left edge of the closest bunker but make sure you can carry the water on the left side. Hard drawing (or fading) balls may end up finding the drink. A mid-to-short iron shot is likely next up to a green guarded by creeping water and a bunker on its left side.

NO. 13: PAR 4 - 372 YARDS

This short and sporty par 4 is a great example of risk-reward off the tee. Play for position to set up a short iron to a small green or grip your driver and see what happens. Be mindful of the long strip bunker on the right which can force a long sand shot onto this smaller green.

NO. 14: PAR 4 - 499 YARDS

The longest par 4 at Mountain Park can look intimidating from the tee box, so hitting the generous fairway is critical to keeping bogeys or worse off your scorecard. Trouble is found on both sides of the fairway with a large waste bunker area to the right and the North Saluda River to your left. An elevated green, sloping from back to front, awaits players.

NO. 15: PAR 5 - 600 YARDS

Named “The Joust” by Player, this set of the four finishing holes starts with the par 5 15th hole. From the tips, players might wonder where to hit. But fear not, this monstrous par 5 boasts a wide-open fairway even if it doesn’t look inviting at first glance. This is definitely a three-shot par 5 and the lone tree in the fairway provides a target leading up to the green. There also is a safety value out to the right. But on the approach, players are faced with a gun-site entry to a long but narrow green that slopes front to back.

NO. 16: PAR 3 - 245 YARDS

Every tee shot on this downhill long par 3 will bounce right to left. Hit your ball to the right of the pin and hope your ball will collect itself on the green. A larger bunker on the green’s left side will save balls bouncing hard to the river. Anything on the putting surface is a good shot. Take par if you can and head on to the 17th tee.

NO. 17: PAR 4 - 316 YARDS

A short, downhill drivable par 4 gives players a scenic view of the Mountain Park course. Another risk-reward hole that entices players to hit the driver off the tee. There’s a lot of bunkering to help frame the fairway with plenty of room for the average player not trying to reach the green off the tee. The approach really brings shot making back into golf and takes the obvious wedge out of play. There’s plenty of slopes to use for bump-and-runs at the narrow green.

NO. 18: PAR 5 - 575 YARDS

The closing hole is a spectacular par 5 with another wide-open fairway and generous landing areas. A creek crosses the front of the green so the smart play on the second shot is a layup to show off your wedge game. The long, narrow green, perpendicular to the line of play, undulates towards the river, so if you go past the hole, get ready for a fast putt.

BUILD WITH THE BEST

BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME AT THE CLIFFS SHOULD BE AS REWARDING OF AN EXPERIENCE AS LIVING HERE.

To that end, we’ve assembled and thoroughly vetted the finest custom home builders in the region to form The Cliffs Preferred Builder Program.

By choosing to build your custom home at The Cliffs with one of our Preferred Builders, you can be confident the firm you choose to work with has the experience and commitment necessary to understand and execute your unique vision.

Please visit cliffsliving.com/preferredbuilders for more information on this esteemed group of master builders and the specifi c regions they service.

Home at The Cliffs The Cliffs at Keowee Falls MICHAEL & DENISE HALLISEY

Michael Hallisey had just joined a medical practice in Hartford, Connecticut, when a senior doctor gave him some great advice. “He told me, ‘Go on vacation with your family in places you may want to retire,’” Michael says. That advice led Michael, his wife, Denise, and their four boys to visit destinations from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Broadmoor, Colorado, before finding the perfect spot: The Cliffs at Keowee Falls. Michael and Denise, who now live full time at Keowee Falls, say they’ve found an “outdoor paradise.”

CL How did you know The Cliffs was the place you wanted to retire?

A Michael: Each place we visited before seemed to be missing something. In 2010, we visited The Cliffs and it had everything we were looking for: watersports, multiple golf courses, hiking, biking, an active social community, four seasons, and long light in the evenings.

Denise: When our four young men were encouraging us to buy a house, we knew we’d found the right place.

CL Did you buy or build at The Cliffs?

A Denise: We bought a homesite at Keowee Falls in 2011. We started building in 2016 and then a huge coincidence happened: Our son Patrick was playing golf for Boston College and they were invited to play in the Clemson Invitational held at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls that year!

CL What are some aspects of your home that you love?

A Michael: We love living on the water. When the sun rises over Lake Keowee each morning, it wakes us up. And when the moon rises over Lake Keowee it lights up our house. We built our house so that the lower level has bunk beds for the children and grandchildren. We’ve already had graduation and bachelor parties there!

CL What do you most enjoy doing at The Cliffs?

A Michael: Denise and I love taking to the hiking paths carved out of the wooded areas at Keowee Falls. As a family, we love going to dinner on the porch at the Keowee Falls Clubhouse or the Keowee Vineyards Lakehouse and watching the sun set on our way home.

CL Denise, you and your sons moved from your homes in the Northeast to The Cliffs when the pandemic began. What was that like?

A Denise: The house at The Cliffs was a safe place where they could continue to work. The living rooms became offices for the young men with folding tables for Zoom and Teams meetings.

Michael: Meanwhile, I kept working at Hartford Hospital. It was eerie, like “The Andromeda Strain” movie. I wore two surgical gowns, double masked, showered in and out. When I drove to work, there was no one on the roads.

CL Michael, you’ve retired pretty recently and joined Denise at The Cliffs full time. How has it been?

A Michael: I’ve found that neighbors invite you out to play golf, go to dinner, and go boating. That’s been great for me to meet new people.

CL We understand there’s a new family business just down the road in Greenville.

A Denise: I found that nearby Greenville is a foodie town. But, it was missing one thing: a fromagerie. So my oldest son, Michael Davitt, and I saw an opportunity. I researched and invested while my son did an apprenticeship in cheese. We opened The Cheese Wheel in 2022 and it’s been very well received.

Michael: Many of The Cliffs members travel to nearby Greenville and stop at The Cheese Wheel to get the best artisan cheeses in the world. Added bonus: Our motto is “feel free to sample before buying!”

A STORIED SETTING

The sites that can be viewed from this home at The Cliffs Valley span from Travelers Rest to Tryon

For Kristin Kagen, the process of carving out her family’s dream home at The Cliffs Valley wasn’t unlike a long, punishing hike that leads to a breathtaking view: difficult at times, yet undeniably rewarding.

“This is a property unlike anything else. It’s spectacular,” says Kagen, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that stretch around the home to offer a 180-degree view. “I see the sun rise from my master bedroom, and from my

kitchen window and the family room, I watch the sun set. From here, you can see Caesar’s Head and Paris Mountain, from Greenville to Travelers Rest.” She notes that at the high elevation above the clouds, you’re just as likely to see a helicopter pass by below as you are bears wandering across the driveway.

The journey to this point, however, brought a 180-degree shift in perspective. “I love building, I love the design process—and at the same time, I hate it,” laughs Kagen. “We hit rock, of course, being on a mountain, and rock hammers are very expensive. This was a difficult house to build, and there were times where I felt worn down by the process. But then I would go stand out on the deck, and all of that would just melt away. I’d say, ‘this is why you’re doing this.’ The view calms me down, it’s so beautiful.”

For Kagen and her husband, moving to The Cliffs was truly a homecoming. After raising their family in Savannah, Georgia, and spending time in Dallas, Texas, the duo decided to move closer to friends in the Upstate and Kristin’s parents in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The couple worked with Cliffs Realty’s Ashleigh Connel to find the perfect homesite—and stunning vista. In fact, the couple’s daughter once looked

out from the great room windows, “and she said, ‘I feel like I’m a Bond villain,’” says Kagen. “Everyone seems to be blown away by the view.”

One of the most delightful surprises thus far for Kagen has been just how many visitors to their home have a story of their own to share. “People that have come by tell me, ‘When I was a kid, I would come up here and play in the woods.’ Our UPS driver told me he used to sit right here and eat his lunch. Things like that. And my response was, ‘Well, you still can.’ So, it’s been interesting listening to what people think or remember about the homesite. I had never looked at it that way; that it meant something to other people. Which is really kind of cool.”

From day to night, something on the horizon draws your attention—and makes the home infinitely easy to enjoy. “We have a gym in the back, and there’s a group of birds I like to watch from the window. They fly a little lower than the house, about six or seven of them, just gliding through the sky. It’s one of the most peaceful things to watch,” reflects Kagen. “But my favorite part [of being in the home] is in the evening. On a clear night, it looks like there are a million people out there, because there are lights you wouldn’t expect. You’d think Travelers Rest is a little town, but you can see all the way through Greer and down to Greenville and even Tryon at one angle. You’re sitting up on this perch, basically, watching all of these lights glitter and glow. It never gets old.”

THE BIG OUTDOORS

Members customize outdoor living spaces for maximum year-round enjoyment

At first it was a slight increase, but then the trend rose like Carolina jasmine in spring. Over the past nine years, outdoor living spaces have emerged as the most popular special function room of homeowners. While this preference started to emerge well before 2020, COVID-19 pushed it into overdrive. More than 90% of Americans claim outdoor living space is more valuable than ever before. And they don’t want to just take a walk outside. They want to relax, cook, and play in their own backyard, utilizing every square inch of space. With exquisite views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Cliffs members are seizing new construction and design trends to maximize time outdoors. Let’s meet the neighbors.

Jon & Kerry Leiman THE CLIFFS AT KEOWEE SPRINGS

Kerry Leiman chuckles when thinking of the move that almost happened. When she and Jon were first considering a vacation home, Arizona was the top contender. A visit to an Upstate friend literally changed the direction of their life. “I’m not exaggerating,” she says. “When we first stepped on this homesite, it took us 17 seconds for us to say, ‘This is where we’re going to be.’ We fell in love instantly and bought the homesite.”

That homesite sits inside The Landing at Keowee Springs and it’s where they spent the next two years building a fivebedroom, seven-bath home with Dillard-Jones, Preferred Builder at The Cliffs. “We wanted it to be right on the lake and it’s stunning,” she explains. “We built the house with friends, family and the future in mind.” The Leimans also wanted to take advantage of the climate and view they don’t get in Chicago.

They worked with Hot Springs Pools & Spas to build a pool and spa that hug the lake line. Leiman envisions herself playing with grandbabies on the tree-lined deck, while watching her kids kayak in the cove below. “We knew we didn’t want to be on open water,” she says. “We wanted to be on a cove, because it’s like a cul-de-sac. It’s about eight homes and everyone is so friendly.”

When guests visit, Leiman enjoys the ability to cook on

a grill deck off the sidewall of the kitchen. “At first I wasn’t sure I’d like it,” the busy mom admits. “But it makes so much sense. It’s just big enough to fit a grill, smoker and counter. It’s made food prep so much easier.”

Her favorite spot is the screened-in porch. She gazes upon the water and points out, “It’s big enough for a fireplace, TV, seating area, and dining area with table and chairs. It’s so cozy. When I wake up in the morning, I like to open the sliding glass doors and sit there with the dog to ease into the day.”

The dog, Maizey, is frequently at her side—and in the water, which causes the Anatolian shepherd and Great Pyrenees mix to shed—a lot. “Oh, she’s a mess,” Leiman says shaking her head. “When you enter the house from the lake-side, we built a shower just for her in the mudroom! It’s all tiled and I can bathe her without bending over. It’s like it’s right out of a grooming station. She tolerates it. Maizey sits there and gives me the side eye.”

The Leimans say when they’re in the Midwest, they’re counting down the days until school is out and they can return to the Upstate sunshine. “This build process has been so smooth. Like we’re on an HGTV show,” she confides. “It’s been a seamless, wonderful experience. Now, we try to spend as much time here as we can.”

Brian & Janet Childs THE CLIFFS AT WALNUT COVE

The sun’s rays are rising to tickle the Asheville skyline. Brian and Janet Childs sit and chat on their side deck. It’s one of four, separate outdoor seating areas they’ve designed at their home in Walnut Cove. “In the early morning, I like to sit and listen to the birds out here,” shares Brian. “We’ve put in a lot of plantings for pollinators. We see lots of activity with birds and wildlife. In the evening, we’ll watch the deer.”

The slate deck, surrounded by lush beds, was one of several priorities when the couple remodeled the home with guidance from Morgan-Keefe Builders, Preferred Builder at The Cliffs. “We gutted the whole first floor,” Brian says. “We bought the house in 2017. It was a traditional mountain house and we wanted a more contemporary, modern look, and we wanted to increase our outdoor living options.” He estimates he and Janet spend more than 70% of their waking hours outside. “We moved here from Florida and now live here full time,” he reveals. “We used to have a home in Jackson Hole. We love outdoor pursuits and outdoor living. The weather is perfect here with four seasons, but not super intense.”

During refurbishment, crews transformed an under-utilized lanai into an additional 500-square-feet of living space, elevated another area with decking and installed a covered, timber-frame porch. Those three focal points join an earlier construction and design project that features a fire pit. A few years prior, Water Dance installed the pit and a soothing waterfall that connects to a stream and filtered, illuminated pond. “If it’s really hot, we’ll sit under the timber frame, which is completely covered,” Brian says. “It has skylights and really

cool LED lights. We’ll have dinner out there and listen to the frogs in the pond and the waterfall and stream.”

The couple worked with Stratton Design Group to install unique lighting in each area and they keep the pond chlorinated for swims with the dog. “I have had to shoo bears out of the pond a few times,” Brian recalls with a laugh. “This is a magical place. No matter the time of year, the wind, or the weather, we always have a comfortable, seating area outside. We just love living outside.”

INTERIOR DESIGN, UNDERSTATED, YET EXCEPTIONAL.

YET EXCEPTIONAL.

864-597-9494 • HennesseeHaven.com

To schedule a consultation email us at terry@hennesseehaven.com

864-597-9494 • HennesseeHaven.com

To schedule a consultation email us at terry@hennesseehaven.com

Robert Reichl

Kelly Golden

Sharon Leonard

Mary Gilden

Robbie Leonard

Christy Altman

Kathy Quay

MEMBER-SUBMITTED SIGHTS OF THE CLIFFS

Tom Schodorf

Ben Eisenberg

Richard Indrieri

Ken Ruta

Ken Selzer

Lisa Johnson

CUSTOM

| THE CLIFFS AT KEOWEE SPRINGS

MEMBER-SUBMITTED SIGHTS OF THE CLIFFS

Bryan Schrandt

Hallie Waugaman

Kenneth Ward

David Schoenfeld

Robbie Leonard

The Shepherd Hotel is an upscale boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Clemson, South Carolina. The hotel features the Delish Sisters restaurant serving fresh, wholesome dishes and a robust catering offering. At the top of the grand central staircase stands The Thomas – a chic indoor / outdoor bar with scenic views of Downtown Clemson serving locally-inspired specialty drinks, international wines, and a sophisticated collection of bourbon. Most notably, The Shepherd Hotel collaborates closely with ClemsonLIFE to employ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who cultivate the authentic hospitality each guest experiences when they stay at The Shepherd.

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Red Elm wants to help you maintain your landscape.”

Learn more at shepherdhotels.com

110 Sloan Street, Clemson, SC | 864.635.0100

MEMBERSUBMITTED PEOPLE OF THE CLIFFS

Madison Meyers

Lucy Trent

Lauren Fox

George Groome

Courtney Gierach

Ronnie Mabra

Erin Baysinger

MEMBERSUBMITTED PEOPLE OF THE CLIFFS

BethAnn Fitzgerald

Lori Primasing

Madison Meyers

Amy Wilde

Jimmy Hayes

Lindsay Norton

Julia Roberson

Reaching your financial goals. It takes a community.

A loan for your new home by Lake Keowee. Keys to your first storefront on Main Street. An afternoon in Unity Park without a single worry about your finances. Or maybe it’s just a smiling face that knows your name, at a branch right in your backyard. Whatever success means to you, our team is here to provide the services and support you need to get there.

Take the first step at ucbi.com.

WHEN NEIGHBORS BECOME FAMILY

A serendipitous meeting leads to couple falling in love, engagement, and marriage

Written by Elizabeth Rogers

In 2020, I moved into my parents’ new home at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls where I would virtually complete my final year at Vanderbilt Law School. My grandparents, Peter and Cathy Rogers, have been members at The Cliffs since the early 2000s, so I was fortunate to grow up visiting them at Keowee Vineyards.

One September afternoon, my computer was broken and I couldn’t study, so I decided to join my family for a day on the lake instead. As we were on our way back to our home, we saw our neighbors sitting on their dock, so we stopped to introduce ourselves. That day I met Dawn and Trip McGarity, and their son, Hamilton. My family teased me about the cute boy as we boated back home a few docks away. I felt a strange urge to get in contact with Hamilton, and considered leaving my number under a rock on their dock.

A few days later my friend picked me up so we could enjoy Chef Francis’ watermelon dinner at the Lakehouse. I mentioned that I had met a neighbor our age. My friend convinced me to find him on Instagram and send him a message, something I would normally never do. But having been part of The Cliffs communities for so long, I knew that a neighborly message to play golf or wakesurf sometime would be well received.

Hamilton and I chatted on Instagram for a week, both wondering why a conversation was still going on social media, and not in person. A little while after we exchanged information, we planned a round of golf at Keowee Falls,

and soon after that, I came clean about almost leaving my number under the rock. Hamilton and I became friends, went on walks to the waterfall, wakesurfed, went to Clemson games, and played many rounds of golf at the various courses. As our relationship progressed, my family and the McGarity family became friends, too, sharing dinners at the clubhouses and holidays together on Lake Keowee.

Fast forward to Memorial Day 2022, our families had a cookout planned by the lake. Hamilton asked me to come down to the dock with him, where I found a piece of paper under a rock. Having come full circle from the day I met him, his phone number was written on that piece of paper, along with “will you marry me?”

I had driven by that very spot countless times since I was 6 years old, but little did I know what would transpire there. It was on that dock that we met and on that dock where we committed to be together for many years to come. Looking back, I can’t help but think how lucky it is that we met. I was not supposed to be on that boat, and had we come back five minutes earlier, the McGaritys would still be on their way home from the golf course. This reaffirmed something I’d always believed what’s meant to be will find a way.

The Cliffs and Lake Keowee have been such an important part of my life for 20-plus years, and now both have even more meaning. We look forward to our continued weekend trips to the lake and eventually raising kids as our own legacy members at The Cliffs.

REAL

[MOUNTAIN PARK] LAST LOOK “

NATURE IS NOT A PLACE TO VISIT . IT IS HOME,” wrote Gary Snyder. The poet’s words ring true for members of The Cliffs who can simply look through their windows, walk a trail, or take out a boat to experience nature’s beauty like this image captured by Mountain Park member Peter McNaughton.

GLASSY MOUNTAIN PARK VALLEY KEOWEE FALLS KEOWEE SPRINGS KEOWEE VINEYARDS WALNUT COVE