Waterfront Living - Watts Bar Lake
Real Estate Guide

Tennessee National
Greg Norman puts his Signature on resort community

Renowned golfer Greg Norman and his team at Medallist Developments have transformed 1,450 acres of rolling hillside overlooking Watts Bar Lake into an exclusive resort community with upscale homes overlooking the Tennessee River and the heralded Greg Norman Signature Golf Course.

The golf course celebrated its grand opening in September, and property owners and guests were awed by the course’s pristine and natural landscape. Several of Tennessee National’s high-end homes will be on display during three consecutive weekends as part of the 2006 Parade of Homes.

One of the Tennessee National homes to be featured in the Parade of Homes is in Golfside Villas. With 74 homes, this neighborhood offers maintenance-free living on one level with exceptional views overlooking the 10th, 14th, 15th and 18th holes.

The Villas are custom-designed by Jonathan Miller, who recently won first place in the Traditional Building Design Challenge at the Chicago 2006 Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference. Saddlebrook, a homebuilder in Knoxville for 18 years, will build the Villas. Saddlebrook offers a design center where homeowners can choose from a variety of floor plans, ranging from 2,800 to 3,400 square feet. Prices range from $579,000 to $649,000.

Greg and Masi Neff, previously of Naples, Fla., will soon be among the first to move into their Golfside Villa. They chose the three-bedroom Camellia model and modified the fireplace to serve both the living room and master suite.

“I particularly liked the keeping room off the master bedroom and the pond in the back,” Masi says, noting that they also purchased a waterfront lot, which they plan to build on after they “test the waters” in East Tennessee.

The Neffs fit the new term, “half-backs,” people who initially moved to the sunny shores of Florida. For many reasons, including hot, hot weather, hurricanes and traffic congestion, many people are moving half-way back across the country to places like East Tennessee, where the days aren’t so hot, hurricanes are not a problem and the roads are much less congested.

“We love Tennessee National’s rolling hills and beautiful terrain,” Masi says. Plus, she says development at Tennessee National is limited and controlled, without the headaches of nearby rental homes dealt with in Florida.

In addition to Golfside Villas, several other neighborhoods are currently under way at Tennessee National. The common thread is a devotion to upscale mountain craftsman architecture and its casual, yet elegant ambience.

These neighborhoods include the Cottages, Rivers Edge and Woodlands. Prospective buyers have the option to buy home sites or completed homes.

All include access to a long list of amenities in addition to the golf course. Residents will have access to a community wellness center, complete with a swimming complex, lighted tennis courts and a professional-quality fitness center. A marina, as well as miles of parks, hiking trails and bike lanes, will also be available.

Overlooking Watts Bar Lake, with its gentle currents and breezy shores, Tennessee National is a peaceful haven on the river’s edge. Situated in the heart of the Tennessee River Valley, Watts Bar offers a rich assortment of recreational opportunities with more than 39,000 acres of shimmering water and 780 miles of shoreline.

The lake extends 72.4 miles between the Watts Bar Dam and Fort Loudon Dam with a maximum depth of approximately 70 feet near the dam. Part of the Tennessee River system, its waters connect boaters to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

Three major rivers, including the Tennessee River, and at least six large creeks, feed the lake. One of the largest lakes in the South, Watts Bar was built in 1942 by TVA for flood control, power generation and recreation.

Boaters enjoy unlimited coves and islands with natural sand beaches. Area marinas provide 500 boat slips, large and small boat rentals, houseboats, cabins and supplies. In addition, the lake is particularly suited for family vacations with numerous commercial resorts and boat docks.

“This tract is incredible,” says Greg Norman. “Everything about it is appealing, from its proximity to the interstate and Knoxville, to its magnificent topography, to its waterfront location. This will create a golf experience unlike anything else in the area and provide spectacular views for residents throughout the community.”

Norman’s Medallist Developments has created superior golf communities throughout the world, choosing East Tennessee for his first U.S. development in the Mid-South. Norman is known for winning two British Opens during his distinguished playing career, but he may ultimately be best known for building spectacular golf courses amidst upscale neighborhoods.

Founded in 1997 as a niche developer of premier lifestyle communities, Medallist Developments is a joint venture between Greg Norman’s Great White Shark Enterprises and Macquarie Bank of Australia. Medallist teamed with Chattanooga businessman John Thornton to develop Tennessee National.

For more information, visit the Tennessee National Discovery Center or call 888-4TN-NATL (888-486-6285).

Tennessee National
Location: Loudon
Owners/developers: Medallist Developments
Number of lots: 1,750 single- and multi-family residences located on waterfront, golf course and wooded home sites
Special amenities: Greg Norman Signature Golf Course, wellness center, marina, hiking trails and bike lanes
For more information: 888-4TN-NATL (888-486-6285)