Already one of the largest golf developments in the country, Reynolds Plantation just got a little bigger. In a natural evolution, the property located 75 miles east of Atlanta just merged with Reynolds Landing, which previously had been acquired by Linger Longer Communities, the parent company of Reynolds Plantation.

Located across the street from Reynolds Plantation, Reynolds Landing will now be known as the Landing at Reynolds Plantation, and the Bob Cupp-designed course will be known as the Landing course.

"We believe this change will add value for our members and property owners," says Reynolds Plantation president Rabun Neal. “At the same time it will allow us to be more efficient in how we provide services to our members and guests.”

Built in 1986, the Landing course was actually the first layout built along the 19,000-acre Lake Oconee, the second-largest in Georgia. Then known as Port Armor, the course and the community was the first to draw residents and visitors to the lake, which was created in 1979 when Georgia Power dammed the Oconee River.

Now, the Landing joins Reynolds Plantation's five other layouts: Plantation, Great Waters, Oconee, the 27-hole National and the members-only Creek Club. The community has announced the construction of the Pete Dye-designed Richland course.

So while most communities are retrenching, Reynolds Plantation is growing, both in golf and in real estate.