A massive fire tore through the Reynolds Landing clubhouse at Reynolds Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia, on Saturday night, Oct. 10, reducing the 20,000-square-foot building — home to the community's signature restaurant, Esse — to ruins.
The fire broke out Saturday evening at 1101 Landing Drive. Greene County Fire Rescue and mutual-aid departments from surrounding areas rushed to the scene and found heavy flames consuming the commercial structure. Crews attacked the blaze with a deck gun and a 2.5-inch handline. Officials issued an urgent advisory asking the public to avoid the area so emergency vehicles could maneuver safely.
No injuries have been reported. Pamela Shelley, a PGA professional at the club, wrote in a Facebook post that the golf and restaurant staff were all safe, as were patrons dining at Esse when the fire began. She thanked first responders and volunteers from surrounding areas for their mutual aid, calling it a very sad day for the team that calls Landing home. As of Sunday morning, officials had released no estimate of the damage.
Atlanta TV reporter Cody Alcorn, citing local residents, reported that the fire may have started at an outdoor fireplace fueled by propane. Alcorn, who shared video of the building fully engulfed in flames, said the clubhouse appears to be a total loss. Fire officials have not confirmed a cause, and the investigation is ongoing.
Reynolds Lake Oconee spans about 12,000 acres roughly an hour east of Atlanta, with seven courses — soon to be eight — designed by architects including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio and Rees Jones. The Landing clubhouse and its Esse restaurant served as the community's social and dining hub, and its loss hits residents and members hard. The community has appeared repeatedly on Golfweek's annual rankings of top U.S. resort and residential courses.
Despite gusty winds Saturday night, firefighters kept the blaze confined to the structure and prevented it from spreading. On Sunday, crews concentrated on extinguishing hot spots. This was not the community's first fire scare this year: local outlet Lake Oconee News reported three house fires at Reynolds Lake Oconee since Christmas 2025, the most recent on Jan. 25, which firefighters brought under control within 10 minutes of arriving.
Fire officials will continue investigating what started the blaze. The club has not said whether or when the clubhouse will be rebuilt.