BUFORD, Ga.—Lanier Islands Resort has opened the Mike Williams Golf Center, a fully reimagined clubhouse that anchors nearly $4 million in new golf investments and expands the property’s offerings for both recreation and group events on Lake Lanier.
The opening follows the debut of The Six, a night-lit par-3 course featuring six illuminated holes ranging from 56 to 91 yards, which launched earlier this spring as part of the resort’s broader “New Era of Golf” initiative.
The combined projects, along with the resort’s existing Legacy Golf Course, are designed to position Lanier Islands as a year-round golf and event destination in north Georgia.
“The opening of the Mike Williams Golf Center is about much more than a new clubhouse,” says Lanier Islands Resort president Matthew Bowling. “It’s another major step in our vision to create an experience unlike anything else in the Southeast. Whether you’re playing 18 holes on our award-winning Legacy Golf Course, teeing it up under the lights at The Six, hosting a corporate outing, celebrating with friends, or relaxing around the firepit overlooking Lake Lanier, we’ve created a destination where golf and hospitality come together.”
Named for former CEO Mike Williams, the golf center serves as the resort’s new hub for golf operations and includes an expanded pro shop, upgraded dining outlets, a new 19th Hole Bar and Lounge, and indoor-outdoor gathering spaces overlooking Lake Lanier.
The facility also features a social-focused design with firepit seating, outdoor televisions, and views of the resort’s night-lit practice areas, including the putting green, chipping green, driving range, and The Six.
The redesign marks the first major renovation of the Legacy Golf clubhouse since the course opened in 2009. The Legacy Golf Course has previously been recognized among the nation’s top public and lakeside golf destinations.
A key addition is a new event pavilion that can accommodate up to 180 guests and is designed for year-round use. The space will host tournaments, receptions, corporate outings, weddings, and other private events, with rental options available for both the pavilion and surrounding golf amenities.
“Golf is evolving, and so are we,” Bowling says. “Today’s guests are looking for more than just a round of golf. They want experiences. They want entertainment. They want places to connect with family, friends, and colleagues. That’s exactly what we’ve built here. The Mike Williams Golf Center and The Six are helping us redefine what a golf destination can be.”
For sports event planners, the expansion adds a flexible lakefront venue that combines golf programming, hospitality spaces, and outdoor event infrastructure in a single resort setting.
Lanier Islands Resort said the investment is intended to strengthen its position as a regional destination for golf outings, corporate retreats, and social events while expanding year-round programming across its golf facilities.
