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THE CLIFFSGolf reigns supreme—for the whole family—at this distinctive collection

of communities and courses in one of America’s most picturesque settings

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The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

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Golf rounds are up around the country. Itis easy to see why when private golf com-munities like The Cliffs, which straddlesNorth and South Carolina in the heart ofthe Blue Ridge Mountains, are offering acomprehensive golf experience that catersto the whole family.

Having six championship golf courses (with a seventh opening

in the fall) within their collection of seven residential communities,gives The Cliffs a decided advantage in the scope of golf offerings.That members enjoy reciprocal playing privileges at all the coursesthrough a single membership sets them apart. Resort Living Magazinedescribed it as “undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive privateclub memberships in the world.”

John and Pat Gentleman, who are members at The Cliffs Valley,found it irresistible. The Gentlemans moved from Florida wherethey lived at a highly respected club with two golf courses.

“We’ve belonged to a number of great country clubs around thecountry,” says John, “but nothing like The Cliffs in the sense we havesix—and soon to be seven—courses to play any time we want. Butit’s not just the quantity, it’s the quality. We feel like we belong toseven country clubs. We moved here mainly for the golf experience.”

The location in the western Carolinas between Asheville, NorthCarolina and Greenville, South Carolina, played an influential role,too. His wife, Pat, is very involved in the equestrian world. “Thisarea is great for horses,” says John. “The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyardshas a wonderful equestrian venue that borders national parkland.

“One of the wonderful things about the golf experience here isthere are plenty of leagues and groups to join,” adds John. “If youare new to The Cliffs, you can get into one of them easily.”

For Chris Deedy of Atlanta, it’s all about the golf. He purchasedat The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards for the golf membership.

“The golf is second to none,” says Chris, who is also a memberat TPC Sugarloaf outside Atlanta. “I came to play here and was soimpressed I bought. I have three courses in close proximity and canget to them by boat. They keep the courses in great shape.”

Golf is a family sport for Chris and his two college kids. One ofthem recently told him, “I can’t think of anything more fun thanplaying golf at The Cliffs with you.”

That is enough to make Chris say, “My desire is to retire—whenthe time comes—at The Cliffs. In the interim, the golf is a first-class experience. They treat you like a king.”

The newly announced Family Legacy Membership will make familygolf time even easier and more enjoyable. Developed to encouragemultiple generations of families to visit and enjoy The Cliffs lifestyle,the program extends full membership privileges to parents, children,and grandchildren. It will also open up more opportunities for familygolf events in a comprehensive golf program that runs the gamutfrom summer golf camps for kids to low-handicap events for men.

“The Cliffs is about families and we want families to gather here year round, not just during the holidays, but every day,” saysDavis Sezna, CEO of The Cliffs Clubs. “The response to our FamilyLegacy Membership has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.”

The Cliffs enjoys one of the most picturesque settings in thecountry. Its communities are set among a million acres of protectedparkland reaching north to Asheville, North Carolina, and southto Greenville, South Carolina. Members can choose from three regions—Mountain, Lake Keowee, and Asheville—across seven com-munities: The Cliffs at Mountain Park, The Cliffs Valley, The Cliffsat Glassy, The Cliffs at Keowee Springs, The Cliffs at Keowee Falls,The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, and The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.

Donna Bailey resides at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, home of athriving women’s golf program. Donna serves on the board of theLPGA Foundation and as president of the Walnut Cove MembersCharitable Association.

“My husband and I made the decision to leave the coast andmove here because we love the Asheville area,” says Donna. “We

IBEROSTAR Cancún Golf Club

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love the community, there’s a fabulous hospital system, an incredible arts scene, and everything is easy to get to.”

With Donna’s work with the LPGA, it comes as no surprisethat women’s golf is so vibrant. “The impact women are makingjust in our community of Walnut Cove alone is huge. This maybe the first time some women have ever played. We make it comfortable and fun.”

One of the ways they do that is by offering 3-hole, 6-hole, 9-hole,and 18-hole golf. Women who are new to the game go out and learnwith a pro over three stress-free holes and get to enjoy themselves.After playing, the women (whether they’ve played 3 or 18 holes)all have lunch together. On Monday afternoons, with the encour-agement of the club, Donna leads a golf program for young girls.

Encouragement and fun are the keys. “Every year we have a

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Members at The Cliffs enjoy reciprocal playing privileges at all six (soon to be seven) championship courses.

The Cliffs at Glassy

The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards

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The Cliffs at Keowee Springs

big tournament for everyone—men andwomen,” says Donna. “We play againsteach other and have a blast. Everyonecomes out to encourage each other.”

That sentiment is echoed by Dr. Alanand Patti Dowling, who have a home atThe Cliffs at Glassy.

“The staff has been very supportive,”says Alan. “Both our kids played and theyencouraged them. Our kids loved it. Theytook advantage of the great practice facilities that are different at each course.They also took advantage of the instruc-tion. The staff is really encouraging for junior golfers. The pros,assistants, all the golf staff, go out of their way to welcome kids topractice and play.”

Though the Dowling’s main course is The Cliffs at Glassy, theyenjoy playing all the courses. “It’s nice to make it aday,” says Alan. “You can go to any of the courses,play, shower, and have dinner there. With so manycourses close together, I like to bring my friends fora golf trip.”

This fall, with the opening of The Cliffs at Mountain Park Golf Course, there will be evenmore for members to enjoy. The Gary Player-designed course is one of only a few golf coursescurrently under construction in North America.

Off the course, members enjoy a tremendous variety of amenities.Wellness centers, hiking trails, tennis courts, an equestrian center,

a beach club, marinas, and restaurants cater to a wide range of interests. To date, there are more than $150 million in amenitiescompleted, with new ones on the way. All of which has earned The Cliffs recognition as one of “America’s Top 10 Golf Commu-nities” by GOLF Magazine and “Top 10 Private Golf Communities”

by Robb Report.Now under new ownership, The Cliffs has emerged

from the recent real estate downturn on solid footing,with more than 2,600 memberships. And last monththey announced more than $80 million in real estatetransactions within The Cliffs during 2012, alongwith plans for ongoing investment in new amenitiesover the next decade.

Homes at The Cliffs are available across the wholespectrum of their communities. They range in price from $500,000to $4 million, with homesites starting at $100,000.

(866) 411-5773CliffsCommunities.com

The Cliffs Valley

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