Megan & Tad - August 2009

Megan and Tad could not have been more satisfied with their decision on wed at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee in August of 2009. “We chose Cuscowilla because we had been to a wedding there that past October and fell in love with the location. It had everything we were looking for,” said the elated couple.

Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee is a 700-acre golf resort and residential community located 70 miles east of Atlanta. “From the staff that worked there who treated us great every step of the way, to the beautiful Lake Oconee creating the perfect backdrop for our wedding, we loved every minute of it,” stated the recently married couple.

Megan and Tad’s guests made a weekend getaway out of the special event and stayed on the Cuscowilla property in one of the three different types of accommodations. “All of our wedding guests commented on how impressed they were with the resort and the accommodations,” said Megan & Tad.

The couple chose to have the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception all at Cuscowilla. The rehearsal dinner was hosted at the Golf House Grill, located on Cuscowilla property, with floor-to-ceiling rounded windows for spectacular views. The couple chose a Southern-style menu customized to their liking by Cuscowilla’s Executive Chef.

The ceremony was held on a green lawn overlooking Lake Oconee. Megan’s eight bridesmaids wore deep purple dresses. She carried a beautiful bouquet of white roses with calla-lilies created by her florist, Greensboro Florist, as she walked down the aisle to the string trio, All Things String. Eric Little Photography captured all of the memories of the day.

The reception was hosted at The Waterside Restaurant. Guests were greeted from the ceremony with white peach and raspberry frozen punch as they enjoyed the reception band, Kingsized. Appetizers included fresh mozzarella and vine ripe tomato Bruschetta, as well as cream cheese and lump crab wontons with sweet chili sauce.

All centerpieces for the tables included white linens with white hydrangeas and fern leaves. Guests enjoyed a buffet which included pepper crusted slow roasted sirloin strip, baked tilapia, Panko crusted chicken breast, whipped potatoes with toppings and more. The wedding cake included butter cream frosting and layers alternating between chocolate cake with a chocolate mouse filling and white cake with a chocolate mouse filling.

At the end of the reception, the couple left by boat after walking down a path lined with their guests holding sparklers. “Having the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception all within walking distance, nestled in the cozy comfort of Cuscowilla made everyone feel like they were all truly part of this special day. Our experience at Cuscowilla was everything we could have dreamed of for our wedding.”

www.ericlittlephotography.com

Short Stroke

The Putter should be increasing with speed when it contacts the ball. To hone an accelerating stroke, address a flat putt about 10 feet from a cup, then place a tee in the ground about 3 inches behind the putterhead. Take the putter back to the tee then pause for a second then stroke through. Practice this way before you play and you will hit solid putts during your round.

Golf tips provided by our Head Golf Professional & Assistant Golf Professionals

Getting To Know...

Lea Justice

What is your position at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee? I am the Community Manager here at Cuscowilla.

How long have you been at Cuscowilla? I have been working for Cuscowilla for 15 years and still cant get enough!

What is your favorite thing about Cuscowilla? I love working in a family environment. We may bump into each other from time to time, but as a whole we all give 100% because we have a passion for Cuscowilla and want to see the very best for our fellow employees, property owners, members, and guests.

What do you enjoy most about your job? It has been one of my greatest joys to see Cuscowilla grow from the ground up. To think back to where we began as a little dirt road and a big vision and to now read comments from members and guests of how wonderful their experiences have been is a real gift!

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I love being outdoors and spending time with my family. We have a two year old daughter which keeps my husband and I on our toes.

Where are you originally from? I was born in Athens, Georgia.

How long have you lived in Georgia? I have been a Ga resident all my life.

Do you play golf? I dont have enough time at the moment, but hopefully one day!

Intimate Weddings at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee

Imagine exchanging your vows overlooking Lake Oconee with a beautiful sunset in an intimate setting with 30 of your closest family and friends. From the ceremony, your guests can take a short walk to the outdoor reception site, complete with tables, chairs and a wonderful buffet dinner. Your night is filled with views of Lake Oconee and the quiet sounds of the waves crashing.

Our Intimate Wedding Ceremony & Reception Package offers three of our extraordinary Lake Villas, a ceremony site overlooking Lake Oconee, a customizable buffet, setup and breakdown of all tables, chairs, linens and more, as well as staffing. With our package, you will have three 3 bedroom Lake Villas for your guests that overlook the ceremony and reception location (one night minimum required). The ceremony and reception site fee and equipment fee includes set up, round banquet tables, linens, white folding chairs for ceremony and reception and staffing. All food and beverage are at an additional cost.

Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee is ideally located just 70 miles east of Atlanta in the middle of Georgia’s Lake Country. Amenities include: 146 rooms, award winning golf course, restaurants, biking and boating. For more information, please contact us at http://www.cuscowilla.com/ or call 1-800-458-5351.

Julia Child Event

Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee is hosting “An Evening with Julia Child” on Friday, June 18 at The Waterside Restaurant.

Executive Chef Richard Schafer will be serving classics from “Mastering the Art of French Cooking”, such as beef bourguignon and a country pate from duck. An assortment of wines from the south of France will also be offered.

“Julia started off trying to show the American housewife how to make French cuisine but in the process she became an icon of the how-to programs,” says Schafer. “For a whole generation her programs not only informed us about trying new things, but also showed how she loved good food. Each program not only did you learn something new but you where completely entertained with her mistakes and her instant oven.”

Join us for a night out and experience the Julia Child inspired cuisine. Reservations are available from 6:00 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. For more information on “An Evening with Julia Child”, please call 706-484-2044. Make your reservation today and come join us Friday evening!

Located just 70 miles east of Atlanta, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee is a golf club and resort located on Lake Oconee. We offer overnight accommodations, golf, two restaurants, Conference Center, boating, two swimming pools and much more. Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee’s Mission Statement is “Natural Purity with Passionate Delivery”.

For more information on Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, please visit our website at www.cuscowilla.com or call us at 706-484-0050.

How the Pros Pitch

When many amateurs pitch the ball, they try to increase loft by uncocking the wrists on the downswing. They want to hit it high, but this moves leads to poor contact. The pros do the opposite. The open the face of the wedge then grip it. Then on the downswing the decrease loft by maintaining the wrist hinge through impact. This insures crisp contact.

Golf tips provided by our Head Golf Professional & Assistant Golf Professionals

2010 Ladies Member-Guest

The following are pictures from Ladies Member-Guest that Cuscowilla hosted on Thursday, June 3rd. The ladies participated in the tournament and also received a buffet breakfast and lunch as well as gifts.

First Place - 124
Michelle Stafford, Janet Norris, Adair Hibbard and Ena Harvey

Second Place - 126
Deena Smith, Teresa Register, Barbara Stuart and Faye Colwell

Third Place - 130
Pam Mitchell, Alice Richardson, Lisa Murdock and Betsy Butler

Fourth Place - 135
Rebecca Rocke, Phyllis Foisy, Elaine Carsel and Margaret Stanford

Fifth Place - 136
Andrea Wilson, Linda Fox, Connie Karpinksy and Ginny Dornheggen

Sixth Place - 137
Jamie Howard, Benita Nelson, Jill Suchik and Carol Norstedt

Golf Tip of the Week

Stay Connected

One of the most important parts of the golf swing is for the left arm to stay connected to the body. A good feel for achieving that connection is the elbows staying pointed down at address, at the top, at impact and through to the finish. Every great player has done it that way. Seve Ballesteros said he used to feel like he was pinching a towel under his left arm throughout the whole swing.

Golf tips provided by our Head Golf Professional & Assistant Golf Professionals

Golf Tip of the Week

Level Shoulders

If your going to use a sand wedge for chipping like the touring pros do, make sure your shoulders are level to the ground. Many players move the ball back in their stance and shift their weight left, but they tilt the shoulders away from the target. That causes the low point of the arc to be behind the ball and results in a fat shot. Set your shoulders level, your eyes looking at the front of the ball, and keep your head slightly ahead of it. That moves the low point of the arc forward for solid contact.

Golf tips provided by our Head Golf Professional & Assistant Golf Professionals

Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee Joins Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America

CUSCOWILLA GOLF RESORT ON LAKE OCONEE
JOINS
PRESTIGIOUS INNKEEPING ASSOCIATION

The Cuscowilla Golf Resort on Lake Oconee, located in Eatonton, GA, was recently honored by admittance into Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America, the premier innkeeping association in the United States and Canada. Out of the thousands of inns in North America, only an elite few will be invited to join Select Registry this year. The Cuscowilla Golf Resort on Lake Oconee joins more than 375 other exceptional properties that are already members of the Association.

Founded in 1972 as the Independent Innkeepers’ Association by Norman Simpson, “the Father of Country Inn travel in America,” Select Registry is an offshoot of Simpson’s popular and pioneering book, Country Inns and Back Roads. The name and logo of the organization were changed several years ago to reflect the group’s approach to marketing its selective and distinguished member properties. Originally established in the Berkshire area of New England, the nonprofit organization is now headquartered in historic Marshall, Michigan. Member inns must meet the rigorous standards of a Quality Assurance program, and represent the most prestigious establishments of their type.

A marketing association, Select Registry partners with other brands and organizations—such as BMW, Karen Brown’s Guides, DiRoNA, UK Tour Operator Select Vacations, and Ontario’s Finest Inns to name a few—to promote its members to target audiences. Its celebrated guidebook—now in its 21st Edition—is distributed each year to nearly 400,000 guests throughout North America. The organization also maintains a critically-acclaimed website, supervises gift certificate and loyalty programs, and organizes promotions for its members.

The Cuscowilla Golf Resort on Lake Oconee exemplifies the high quality and service championed by this Association,” says Select Registry Membership Director Carol Riggs. “Select Registry assures the traveler that each of its inns is regularly inspected—anonymously and with an overnight inspection that measures the quality of hospitality, as well as the physical plant. Our members share a high standard of excellence, and each of our country inns, luxury B&Bs, and unique small hotels has its own distinctive character.”

The owners of the Cuscowilla Golf Resort on Lake Oconee are Heinz Nathe, Pete Bailey and Rolf Witt.

Highly ranked and regarded as #1 “Best Course You Can Play, Georgia” by Golf
Week 2010 the Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore designed golf course winds through rolling meadows and valleys of pine. Enjoy a tranquil and peaceful round of golf while walking this exceptional natural course with one of our well trained caddies, then settle in for dinner in the Golf House Grill. Cuscowilla is ideally nestled in the middle of Georgia’s Lake Country just 70 miles east of Atlanta on beautiful Lake Oconee, the second largest lake in Georgia. Award winning golf, water activities, boat rental, biking, and tennis are just a few of the amenities that you can enjoy. Rest assured, you and your guests will reap the benefits of our friendly, attentive and well-trained staff, while experiencing a level of service far beyond compare.

To find out more about the Cuscowilla Golf Resort on Lake Oconee, call 1-706-484-0050 or visit it on the web at www.cuscowilla.com. To search for other Select Registry inns, meet innkeepers, purchase gift certificates and much more, visit the Select Registry web site at www.selectregistry.com.

STANDING OUT IN A CROWDED INDUSTRY

According to recent surveys, country inns, small hotels and B&Bs are more popular than ever. One online bed and breakfast web site identifies over 27,000 such properties in the U.S. and Canada. Reports have surfaced—including a recent New York Times article—that the industry has developed problems with quality control, pricing, and misrepresentation. “The field is becoming saturated,” states Riggs, “which makes being selected for this prestigious organization so important to our members. It sets the Inn apart in the public’s mind. Our standards are very high for member inns, making for outstanding travel experiences for the general public.”