For 38 years, Smith Mountain Lake’s The Water’s Edge Country Club has blended recreation, tradition, and lakeside elegance into one of the region’s most beloved destinations. The property’s story includes a historic chapel once spared from demolition and now treasured as a wedding venue, a CEO who considered the club his family’s “home away from home” long before acquiring it, and a longstanding culture that celebrates the skilled golfers who call Water’s Edge their home course.
Tucked along the quieter southern shores of Smith Mountain Lake in Penhook, The Water’s Edge sits in a scenic stretch of rolling hills, wooded shoreline, and expansive lake views that capture the relaxed beauty of the region. The property boasts 13.5 miles of shoreline and an 18-hole PGA Championship golf course. Located off Water’s Edge Drive in Franklin County, the community offers a peaceful, private atmosphere while still providing convenient access to the water. The setting blends mountain vistas, calm coves, and manicured fairways. A stroll across the green or by the shoreline feels like a secluded lakeside retreat, with community and fun just steps away in the clubhouse, pool, or fitness center. Additional activities include tennis, fitness, boating, fishing, and horseback riding.
Celebrating 38 years, The Water’s Edge Country Club was established in 1988 by developer Ron Willard, who began clearing for the project in 1985. One of the property’s most distinctive features is its restored chapel, a historic church discovered during the early development of the course. Rather than removing or demolishing the structure that was not known to be on the property, developers preserved and later restored it, transforming the small lakeside chapel into a cherished wedding and event venue that continues to host ceremonies overlooking the scenic grounds of Smith Mountain Lake…