5 Best Golf Communities
Northern Cincinnati
By: Aaron George | Realtor
Do you live for the game of golf... Have you ever dreamed of actually living on the course...With spectacular views of the course, the action just feet away, and having the ability to walk right on. Well we have some great options in the Northern Cincinnati area. Markets such as: West Chester, Mason, Liberty Township, and Fairfield all have great options. I have compiled a list of my 5 favorite golf course communities in the area.
1) Whetherington Golf & Country Club - West Chester, OH
As soon as you turn off Tylersville Rd into the gated confines of Whetherington, you really are in a different world. Surrounded by gorgeous stately homes, many with amazing views of the course and water features. The streets are lined with beautiful trees and gas lit lanterns, giving the roads a very elegant touch. Most of the time cars are out numbered by golf carts which many residence own personally and are free to drive around the community. Whetherington has several different options as it comes to housing. They offer luxury detached homes, detached landominiums, as well as luxury and traditional condos in the "Fairways of Whetherington". In this current market homes range from $400,000-$800,000. The detached landominiums and luxury condos range $230,000-$300,000. And the condos range from $100,000-$120,000. The Whetherington Community resides in the award winning Lakota School District.
2) Heritage Club - Mason, OH
The Heritage Club is a premiere golf and full service, member owned country club located in the heart of Mason, OH. Established in 1996 it features an amazing 18 hole championship caliber course designed by PB Dye. The club also boasts both fantastic swimming and tennis facilities. Its beautiful clubhouse features several top notch dining options and has undergone a total transformation, which will be complete in the spring of 2017. The Heritage Club truly caters to its members and goes out of its way to give them the best service and experience. The most unique benefit of Heritage club is the ability to "Walk Right on the Course" and if you're a golfer, you know how valuable that really is. At Heritage club there are no tee-times, you can play whenever it convenient to you. They can achieve this by keeping a balanced ratio of members and having a cap of each membership level. So it really gives the residents and members a unique experience. The Heritage club offers a number of membership plans, that caters to: families, individuals, corporations, seniors, and juniors (under age 40). They offer just a social membership, so if you're not a avid golfer, you can still enjoy the events and culinary experience of the clubhouse.
The city of Mason resides in Warren County and is Warren Counties largest City. Mason has truly become a very desirable place to live, work, and play in the Greater Cincinnati area. Mason boasts one of Ohio's most elite public school systems, an excellent community center, city services, and festivals. Mason has a wide array of amenities, shopping, and dining options for its residents, but also attracts visitors from far a wide. Amenities such as: Kings Island amusement Park, Great Wolf Lodge, and The Western and Southern Tennis Open, just to name a few. Mason is also just minutes from Cincinnati, so many find Mason a the perfect living option as they commute to work. At the same time, having all the amenities a big city such as Cincinnati has to offer, right within reach.
The living options within Heritage Club are quite spectacular. This is truly an elite community and features many million dollar homes with an average price range of $600k-$2.5mil.
3) Beckett Ridge Golf Club - West Chester, OH
Beckett Ridge community is one of the largest subdivisions in West Chester Township and offers a wide variety of housing options; from condos, mid-to-upper level homes, to grand estates. It truly has an option for every taste, need, and price range. It has also become one of the most desired locations to live in the area, being in the heart of West Chester. "Located in Beckett Ridge" is often all that needs to be said in any agents listing description. The Beckett Ridge community also resides in the award winning Lakota School District.
The neighborhood is centered around the beautiful Beckett Ridge Country Club. It rests among the gorgeous rolling and wooded hills of West Chester, giving the community a very secluded feel, yet convenient to everything West Chester has to offer. Beckett Ridge dates back to the 1970s and was originally farm land, farmed by the neighborhoods namesake; the Beckett family. Besides its desired location, its features both traditional and contemporary architecture, golf course and lake views, a play area, walking paths, as well as many wooded and private drive lots.
The Beckett Ridge Golf Club has a reputation of being one of the finest courses in Southwest Ohio. Designed by Jack Kidwell, its 18 holes of perfectly manicured fairways, rolling hills, sparking ponds and streams, as well as many majestic trees. It truly is gorgeous and has interesting challenges for all skill levels, but I would bring you "A" game. The club offers a fully stocked pro shop, practice areas, and clubhouse. The course is often open to the public, but also offers a wide variety of membership options, starting as low as $799/annually. Also, its new owner is talking many new improvements and additions. So for residents of Beckett Ridge, its nice neighbor to have. Whether your a golfer or just enjoy the gorgeous scenery of "Golf Course View" in your backyard.
4) Four Bridges Country Club - Liberty Township, OH
The Four Bridges community sits in the heart of Liberty Township, Ohio in Butler County and directly borders Mason and Warren County. A planned community consisting of many different housing options all centered around two fantastic golf courses: Four Bridges Country Club and Green Crest Golf Club. Planned subdivisions such as the "Trails of Four Bridges" offers tree lined streets, a community pool, playground, lake, and a soccer field. The Four Bridge Apts are luxury apartments within the community. Both offer excusive membership benefits to their residents. Four Bridges is easily accessible to I-75 from the new Liberty Way interchange as well as I-71. The community is surrounded by recreation, such as VOA Park, groceries, and retail, such as the amazing new Liberty Center. So its a pretty unbelievable location, everything you need is only minutes away. The Four Bridges community is also served by the excellently rated "Lakota School District".
The Four Bridges Country Club opened in June of 2000, it boasts a championship caliber 18 hole course designed by Robert E. Cupp, world class clubhouse with fantastic dining options, pool, and racquet sport facilities, as well as a sports complex featuring a full fitness option.
Many of the homes based on recent sales start around $365,000 and range to $750,000 and above. They still have lots to build your dream home or many beautiful existing homes to choose from, many with a stunning view of the course and water features.
5) Walden Ponds - Fairfield, OH
Walden Ponds is a planned community built around a beautiful public golf club located in Fairfield Twp, OH in southern Butler County. Its been a Tri-State favorite for some time and is easily accessible from most destinations around the greater Cincinnati area. Walden Ponds has a wonderful 18-hole championship layout, designed by Dr. Michael Hurdzan. It features challenging bent grass tees, fairways, and greens. Walden Ponds always has a challenge for every skill level, but even if its not your day on the course, you can take in the beautiful views of the country side of Fairfield and the Township. Walden Ponds specializes in hosting corporate outings of all sizes and like the other four, has amazing wedding options in both their clubhouse or outside with a beautiful golf backdrop. Walden Ponds has some very affordable membership options, something really for everyone; the everyday golfer to the weekend warrior.
The Walden Ponds community has many versatile housing options, such as: single family estate homes, lifestyle club homes, and Condominiums, all adjacent to the Walden Ponds Golf Course. The community is in a very convenient location, with easy access to grocery, shopping, and dining. Including the popular outdoor mall: "Bridgewater Falls" in just minutes. Walden Ponds has close proximity to several universities such as Miami, as well as art, cultural, and sports events. Residents can also be in major metro areas such as: Cincinnati or Dayton very easily. Walden Ponds is served by Fairfield City Schools. Owners in the Walden Ponds Community are always invited to golf events, along with several social functions during the year. They also have many membership discounts. One other benefit Walden Ponds residents have is NO city taxes, being outside the city limits in the township. Walden Ponds is a more established community than others, but has many housing options to choose from. But someone looking to build their dream home, they do have lots available, with Ryan homes being the primary builder.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you think the "Golf Course Community" lifestyle is for you, it's hard to beat these 5 communities in the greater Cincinnati area. They all offer something special. And golf course views have, for some time, been one of the most desirable views in the real estate industry. It really can be more of a lifestyle, compared to just a place to live. But one important fact to keep in mind is: that spectacular golf course view may not be there forever. Golf courses have failed in the past. Most recently in Mason, OH - Crooked Tree Community. Its still an extremely desirable neighborhood in Mason, I have sold several homes within that community recently. But folks who purchased premium homes on the course, lost that premium when the course failed from lack of business. So even though its unlikely, especially with these highlighted communities, its a possibility and something to keep in the back of your head if you're thinking about investing in "Golf Course Property".
All prices highlighted in this article are subject to change and are not guaranteed. Estimated from recent sales between September and November of 2016.
If you are interested in learning more about living on a course, more about these communities, or more about the local real estate market. Please visit my "Contact Me" page. Also, feel free to call or text Aaron George at:
513-488-4472
