Photography by Sally Kolar
Golf is a way of life for this Champions Retreat family.
Whether you’re an avid golfer or you’ve never picked up a club, Masters Week can be a cause for celebration. Last year Evans residents Brandon Zapata and his fiancée, LeAnne Morlan, threw a “Creek Three Party” at their Champions Retreat home on the Friday before Masters Week.
“We love the Masters. Brandon and I met during Masters Week. He plays golf. I follow golf,” says LeAnne. “We wanted to do something to kick off the week, especially since the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is at Champions Retreat.”
And why not? From the open floor plan to the outdoor living space, this contemporary home, situated on the third hole of the Creek Nine at Champions Retreat Golf Club, is the perfect place to host friends and family.
“I love having events and parties,” LeAnne says. “That’s the great thing about this house. It was designed for entertaining.”
‘Everyone’s Home’
The home, which features a gray hardy board and white brick exterior, is full of statement-making pieces from the wide wood pivot front door to the first thing you see when you walk inside.
Beneath the floating European oak staircase in the foyer, a Harley Davidson chopper is parked on a zebra-skin rug. The chopper, which Brandon won in a drawing to benefit a pediatric cancer charity, features an African ostrich seat and the original bronze artwork and patina by artist Jerry McKellar.
The foyer’s European oak flooring, which can be found throughout the house, leads into the formal living room. European oak wood beams accent the two-story cathedral ceiling, and the fireplace includes a 3D granite surround.
While a cowhide cabinet sits on one side of the fireplace, a built-in bench occupies the other side. Four black and white portraits of their four sons hang on a wall above the bench.
“That’s my favorite wall in the house,” says LeAnne. “I’m big on personalizing things. We are a blended family, so I want everyone to feel like this is their home.”
Furnishings include a curved sofa, two leather chairs and a geometrically shaped coffee table.
A partition of black-framed glass offers separation between the living room and the wet bar, which includes a gold sink, icemaker and wine refrigerator. On one of the three open shelves in the bar, a Woodford Reserve bottle features a custom painting of the Augusta National clubhouse.
In the kitchen, LED lights behind the marble backsplash complement the brass hardware. The room also features an Italian oven, lots of drawer space, cabinetry with a bamboo look and a countertop that separates the black refrigerator and the black upright freezer.
A pair of chandeliers hangs above the large marble island where cookies are artfully stacked in two glass cookie jars.
LeAnne also made the Masters-themed arrangements on the breakfast area table. She put floral foam in two golf ball-shaped vases and attached various Masters tournament, practice round and Berckman’s Place tickets to the foam. Commemorative Masters lapel pins are attached to ribbons, and each arrangement is topped with a golf ball.
The butler’s pantry includes open shelves; a microwave; a speed oven, which operates as a microwave and a convection oven; an expresso machine and a desk. Barn doors with brass inlays lead to the pantry.
An abstract painting of a view of the golf course hangs in the dining room, where the walls are painted Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams. Wainscoting, along with sconces on either side of the painting, accents the walls.
Offering an actual view of the golf course, the master bedroom features a cathedral ceiling with European oak wood beams, a brass canopy bed, sitting area and remote control drapes.
The adjoining master bath includes heated marble flooring, marble countertops, more cabinets with a bamboo look, brushed brass fixtures, wall sconces and a chandelier. The walk-in shower has dual entrances, marble walls and hexagon-shaped tiles on the floor. The lights beneath the vanities also change colors.
A hallway with built-in drawers connects the master bath and LeAnne’s walk-in closet, which features a chandelier and cathedral ceiling. A chute in the closet leads to the laundry room, which includes gold-spotted wallpaper on an accent wall and marble countertops.
Cheerio, their golf cart ride-loving Netherland Dwarf rabbit, also calls the laundry room.
Part of the Community
Sliding glass doors from the master bedroom lead to a covered porch, which features a square bed, raised hearth white brick fireplace, cathedral ceiling, recessed lighting, ceiling fan, TV and a hanging swing egg chair.
Additional outdoor living space includes another covered porch with heaters in the tongue and groove ceiling, ceiling fans, screens that can be lowered to offer protection from the elements, and an outdoor kitchen with a pass-through window to the interior.
While the outdoor living space is ideal for relaxing or entertaining, the award-winning, salt-water gunite infinity pool is just as inviting to family and friends. Four round stools on the concrete deck, plus lounge chairs in the pool under an umbrella, offer ample seating.
The backyard also features a water fountain, poolside fireplace and a section of Astroturf grass and concrete in a herringbone pattern. The LED lights under the steps change colors.
Although the family loves all of the outdoor amenities, LeAnne calls the casual living room her favorite room in the house.
“The casual living room is warm and cozy to me,” she says. “It’s where the family hangs out together. This is where we sit down to watch movies or football games.”
A painting of Brandon’s private plane hangs above the entryway. The room also features a cathedral ceiling with European oak beams and a ceiling fan, built-in bookcases and a stone backdrop to the gas fireplace with a 3D granite surround.
For more fun and games, the golf simulator room includes a Full Swing golf simulator, TV, indoor basketball goal – the boys love it – tabletop shuffleboard game and two slot machines. The sports décor features autographed basketballs by Stephen Curry and LeBron James and a shadowbox picture of a golfer made of black golf tees.
“When we host parties, this is where everybody ends up,” LeAnne says.
As much as the couple enjoys opening their home to company, they also take advantage of everything the neighborhood has to offer.
They frequently dine at Champions Retreat, and when the golf course is closed, they catch and release fish in the pond.
“We’re very much a part of the community here,” says LeAnne. “We have a lot of friends that live here.”
By Sarah James
“When I played at the Masters as an amateur, I had a good time and enjoyed myself,” says Luke. “Two years ago, I put too much pressure on myself. The caretaker in me wanted to look after my family and friends.”
Fast Start
Luke still recalls his first impression of his future wife.
Putting Down Roots
“Hopefully, in the next year we can get our own foundation up and going,” Chloe says. “Children’s charities are something we’re passionate about, but we would love to support a broad range of charities.”
“It’s a fantastic job to play golf for a living,” he says. “I love traveling and being able to give back to the community.”
He also remembers the way his grandfather taught him to play. “He taught me the basic fundamentals, but he really kept it fun,” Luke says.
A concoction of sonic fizz and Southern mystique always is brewing in the music laboratories of Athens, Georgia – a scene that has pioneered legends like R.E.M., Widespread Panic, the B-52s and Pylon Reenactment Society.