Harbor Club celebrates 20 years of family ownership
Published 8:00 am Thursday, June 14, 2012
Harbor Club, a 1600-acre residential golf community located on the shores of Lake Oconee, is celebrating 20 years of family ownership with expansion of its amenities and operations, sales incentives and a new partnership with a respected golf and club management team.
“We are proud to celebrate 20 years as a debt-free community here at Harbor Club,” said John Matney, owner and CEO of Harbor Club. “As we move into our twentieth year, even through tough economic times we continue to work hard, reinvest and build a close knit community of people.”
In 1992, when John Matney discovered the golf course and community just over an hour east of Atlanta, he and his family immediately fell in love with the area. The small town feel of the lake community, its proximity to Atlanta, Augusta and Athens and its natural beauty and constant-level lake made it the most attractive community he had experienced in all the southeast.
Today, 20 years later, what started out as 1,000 acres and less than 15 single family homes has transformed into a neighborhood of 750 dues paying property owners, with 80 percent of residents residing there full time. The community has also grown to 1,600 acres on more than nine miles of beautiful shoreline on Lake Oconee, Georgia’s second largest lake. There is a tremendous array of lifestyle options from competitively priced homes and homesites to incredible dining, Swim and Tennis facility, fitness center, croquet lawn and a challenging, yet playable Weiskopf-Morrish designed golf course that attract members who buy at Harbor Club to remain there year round. John, along with his son, Brandon, is heavily involved in the community, working hand-in-hand with membership to ensure that the quality of life remains well into the future.
“We felt comfortable when we bought an additional 600 acres knowing it would take an additional 20 years to build upon it,” said Brandon Matney, general manager of Harbor Club. “Even in a tough economy, we feel comfortable with the area and comfortable with future growth. We are dedicated to strengthening the value of the memberships that our residents here at Harbor Club hold with us.”
New amenities will include the Granite Shoals Marina which will be the lake season hub for entertainment and include daytime slips and dry dock storage. A recent expansion to the Stephen Fuller-designed clubhouse creates a welcoming atmosphere to diners and pro shop guests. Additionally, a new partnership with Affiniti Golf Partners of Atlanta, Ga. results in reciprocal play privileges for members, expansion in golf instruction, new pro shop merchandise and benefits, and a plethora of new activities adding to an already busy list of member events, golf tournaments and parties in the community.
“Our goal since the very beginning has been to build a community of people, not look at establishing a short term investment,” said John Matney. “It all has been possible through careful planning, a dedication to establishing a unique lifestyle but, most of all, our members. They are our greatest asset, and the reason why our neighborhood here at Harbor Club is so special.”