2018 GCH Annual Index - The Year's Best Posts & Awards

~ 2018 GCH Annual Index ~
Year-End Double Issue

> Where Buyers Want to Live – The Most-Visited Communities
> The 2018 GCH Community of the Year
> 2019’s Most-Wanted Amenities – The Top 10
> The Most Popular Community Types, Lifestyle
> Top 20 Golf Communities in North America
> 2018 Top Search Categories
> New Communities

> Watch for our first issue of the New Year on Jan. 3, 2019!

Happy New Year! Welcome to the 2018 GCH Annual Index–an in-depth look at the year’s activity on the Golf Course Home Network.

See below for links to Golf Course Home’s Top 20 Golf Communities in America, key blog posts, awards, the most popular communities, top amenities, favorite community locations, all of 2018’s homes for sale and more.

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GCH Annual Index

The Year’s Most-Visited Communities

WindRiver, TN: Luxury lakeside-living in Tennessee.

Eighteen golf and waterview communities from 10 different states took turns appearing among the Top 5 Most-Visited Communities over the past year. That total represents a jump from seven in 2017, proving that more states are producing world-class communities and that buyers are benefiting from a more varied choice of regional options.

However, just three communities made it into the No. 1 spot, illustrating how tightly perennial favorite, Harbour Ridge Yacht & CC, is maintaining its grip on the coveted first-place position.

Top 10 Most-Visited Communities

Golden Ocala, Ocala, FL: Equestrians find a home here.

The Top 10 List

1. Harbour Ridge Yacht & CC, Stuart, FL
2. WindRiver, Lenoir City, TN
3. Treasure Lake, DuBois, PA
4. Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, Ocala, FL
5. The Landings on Skidaway Island, GA

6. GlenLakes Golf Club Community, Weeki Wachee, FL
7. Solivita, Kissimmee, FL
8. Sun City Riverbend, Bluffton, SC
9. Sun City Oro Valley, Oro Valley, AZ
10. Sailfish Point, Stuart, FL

Florida was the most represented state with eight communities making at least one appearance in the Top 5, followed by Arizona with two.

In addition to the Sunshine State, communities located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Idaho also claimed Top 5 positions.

And, continuing last year’s trend in which states other than Florida posted a No. 1 most-visited community–this year Tennesse’s WindRiver and Pennsylvania’s Treasure Lake enjoyed time at the first position.

Florida, however, continues to be the overall No. 1 most popular state that was searched for golf and waterview communities. See below for the Florida community that ranked high and often enough to claim Community of the Year.

2018 COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR

Harbour Ridge, FL: Enviable lifestyle with golf and yachting.

Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country, Palm City, FL, has captured ‘Community of the Year’ honors on the Golf Course Home Network for the fourth year in a row.

It’s quite a feat considering how many different communities are challenging it with such a diverse set of amenities and from a wide range of locales. A clue to its dominance is that out of the top 10 most-sought community amenities on GolfCourseHome.com, Harbour Ridge offers eight of them, including the top four on the list.

The golf and boating community saw its annual dominance challenged, as noted above, by communities from nine other states that also captured Top 5 Most-Visited positions.

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2019’s Most wanted AMENITIES

Eagles Bluff, TX: Friends & events make retirement a pleasure.

As demonstrated by our Top 20 Golf Communities in America list, today’s communities are adding amenities that can appeal to the wide and varied interests of buyers. Heading our 2018 Top 10 Amenity list are communities that welcome retirees.

A community may not have the word retirement in its name, but potential residents have that very much on their minds. ‘Retirement’ is the No. 1 amenity and interest for Golf Course Home buyers today.

Interestingly, fitness centers have dropped down the list to No. 11. But that doesn’t mean people are not active. With boating, biking/biking trails, equestrian and swimming appearing high on the list. It’s clear that outdoor activities are an important must-have.

Top 10 Amenities
Links go to a list of all communities with the stated amenity.

2018 Top 5 Lifestyle Locations

Indian River Colony Club, FL: Welcome mat to veterans.

Location helps define your lifestyle. Florida–year-round sun, Idaho–winter skiing, Arizona–desert living, any coast–boating and so on. For 2018 oceanfront living is still No. 1.

The No. 2 category is notable–military retirement. More and more veterans are retiring and many of them want to be near fellow veterans. The shared experience of war is a mighty bond and communities that welcome veterans, such as Indian River Colony Club, Melbourne-Viera, FL, is flourishing.

2018 Top 5 Location/Lifestyle
Links go to a list of all communities featuring the stated lifestyle

TOP 20 GOLF COMMUNITIES IN NORTH AMERICA

Comanche Trace, TX: Community gardens are a favorite.

Last May, the Editors of Golf Course Home announced its Top 20 Golf Communities in North America list–with a twist. (Follow the link to see the full list.) Instead of focusing on golf courses and their designers, we looked at progressive country club communities that have pushed beyond golf to augment their community experience with a wide variety of activities that matches residents’ passions and interests.

Those wide-ranging interests include: Community Farms & Gardens, Art Studios & Visiting Artist Programs, Equestrian Centers, Charitable Foundations, Dog Parks, Walkable Village Centers, Golf Design & Golf Casual Fun and Croquet. The resulting list thus highlighted the full rich lives residents can enjoy right on the grounds on their new-found home.

2018 Top Search Categories

Sun City Oro Valley, AZ: Demo Days are a top attraction.

Here are some of the most searched-for categories featuring all the posts related to the search phrase.

Best of the Best – All articles relating to the Top 20 Golf Communities in North America in one place
Awards and Honors for 2018 – Communities Earn Recognition
Things To Do – Demo Days, Clinics, Events & More to Make Community Life More Fun
2018 Newsletters – 50 GCH Newsletters tell the story of 2018
2018 Golf/Waterview/Preserve Homes for Sale – Every home Featured for Sale in 2018
Discovery Visit Packages – Visit Packages to Experience the Country Club Lifestyle

New Communities

Minto TwinEagles, FL: Yes, golf, but sailing and more, too.

As the year 2018 came to a close, two luxury communities in Florida joined the GCH Network–Minto TwinEagles in Naples and One Particular Harbour in Anna Maria Sound.

Minto TwinEagles, Naples, FL

Minto TwinEagles is a gated, resort golf community set on 1,115 acres in the Gulf Coast destination of Naples, Florida.

Stretching across a tropical landscape of ancient oaks, graceful palms and iridescent lakes, this country club community is known for offering the region’s most inspired resort lifestyle.

The golf course and amenities create a showcase for wonderfully designed single-family estate homes which are priced from the mid-$500,000s to over $1 million. Send me more information about Minto TwinEagles!

One Particular Harbour, Anna Maria Sound, FL

Take in the view from the clubhouse.

Located along one of America’s most inspiring waterfront strands, One Particular Harbour is designed as a private island paradise for discerning residents and their guests. This new Florida community combines stylish residences with amenities to create ultimate relaxation and enjoyment.

A state-of-the-art marina and boathouse offers direct deepwater access to the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll develop friendships here at multiple gathering spots such as the Waterfront Beach Club, its private clubhouse, and the resort-style pool and spa with cabana bar. Send me more information about One Particular Harbour!