TellicoinVillageTennessee

BY ALICE & DANNY SCOTT

The Destination

Tennessee Valley Authority built Tellico Lake by damming the Little Tennessee River in Loudon, just 31 miles south of Knoxville, Tennessee. That 33-mile lake is the focal point of Tellico Village and a waterway to the world with accessibility of rivers to reach the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes in the north and the Atlantic via the St. Lawrence Seaway. The forested area is a gateway to the Smoky Mountains.

The Venue- Tellico Village (TV) spans over 5,000 acres. It was built by Cooper of Hot Springs Villages fame and later was purchased by the property owners. The TV Property Owners Association fulfills the functions of a city government, operating the water, sewer systems and all facilities, maintaining roads and buildings, with about $21 million annual budget generated by monthly assessments from property owners.

Hundreds of clubs from fishing to kayaking, woodworking, quilting and every speed of walking, avail socialization for 10,000 villagers. Three rec centers, wellness center, outdoor and indoor pools, tennis and pickleball complexes, plus many trails added to lake activities and three golf courses fend off any boredom. The three golf clubhouses have separate menus and the Yacht Club’s Blue Heron Restaurant on the lake delivers spectacular views with their cuisine. Thai Bistro, Little Italy and Lorenzo’s Mexican Grille in the Lakeside Plaza round out the culinary options at TV.

The New Villagers organization facilitates quickly meeting people and making friends. One member says it’s like being back in college but always on break and another says it’s double dating for seniors, although the active senior living community is open to all ages.

The Golf

Casey Flenniken is the new Director of Golf Operations managing the championship courses which are closed only three days a year. All three courses hold the title of Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries. Toqua means fish in Cherokee, so the TV Woodworkers Club hand carved fish to mark its tee boxes. Each hole was named by the 1987 pioneer members. #14 is “Troubled Waters,” situated on a cove of the lake. When the wind picks up, so do the waves where boaters often hang out to float, swim, and watch golf.

Tanasi, the Cherokee translation for Tennessee, begins with a clubhouse view of Tellico Lake and several holes skirt the shores. One such hole is #9 with a blind downhill drive and water to cross over to the green. #10 is a great beginning to the back nine as the par 4 fairway hugs the lake all the way, another prime spot for boating hecklers. Links at Kahite opened in 2002 with stupendous views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The unusual 800-yard, par 6 #9 is a wide-open run until the green side bunkers making a great chance for birdie or eagle. Riding Finn scooters increases the fun factor when playing at Kahite where Gary Woodland holds the course record, scoring 61. The back nine’s bunker reduction renovations make it friendlier to golfers and the maintenance crew. Improvements are always in the plans at TV.

And More

Great Smoky Mountain National Park is within an hour’s drive through Townsend where little black bears are like big raccoons. Don’t miss Company Distilling there, founded by Jeff Arnett, former Master Distiller at Jack Daniels. Or Knoxville offers cultural, shopping and entertainment venues with the University of Tennessee for colle- giate sports. Then, the music capitol of Nashville is less than three hours away.

Our Takeaway

There is a too good to be true sense about TV’s friendly, fun, environment, and affordability. Current monthly assessments of $168 includes Golf and the Yacht Club membership with no initiation fees or minimums and can increase by only 5% per year. Rate structures offer many daily or unlimited golf options well below market pricing. There are no state taxes and per capita property taxes are the lowest in the country. What’s not to love?

The Journey-Tellico Village is a day’s drive to or from 70% of the US population. So, hit the road or fly into Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport, 35 minutes away.

Check TV’s Discovery Package to experience for a day, a stay or for a brochure.

www.tellicovillage.org