John & Dena Culpepper
Due to a job transfer to East Texas, we moved here from the DFW area in the summer of 2012. We could not be happier with our choice. We bragged so much about the Emerald Bay lifestyle that some of our family members and friends have moved here, too.
As working professionals who are still raising our family, we wanted to ensure that we provided a good school district as well as a safe and loving community for our family to be involved with. Emerald Bay fit the bill perfectly.
We love coming home and seeing the beautiful lake and golf course, and we enjoy eating up at the Club and visiting with the fine people who make up the EB Community. Emerald Bay is a special place and we are blessed to be here.
Jack & Betty Durrett
In 1971 our youngest son began to play golf. He had played the nines holes at Emerald Bay several times with a friend. He was hooked and wanted us to "just come look". On Labor Day of that year, we drove out to explain to him all the reasons it wasn't right for us. We had two other children, one in college and one a senior in high school, going to college the next year. We had to consider them. They loved Emerald Bay.
We were to be the first house built on Marina Drive. There was no water in the lake. Our wall and boat house were built on dry land—such optimism. Originally the Marina was to be built at the end of that circle. It was later decided that land was too valuable to use for that, and the Marina was to be built where it is today. When it was built, it was assembled on the point and floated to its present location. The lake filled in 1972-73.
The second nine holes of golf were built in 1972-73. The front nine had red, white, and blue bunkers. More and more lots were sold and more homes built. Our friends in Tyler had bet we wouldn't stay "way out there" for 6 months. For many years, the swimming pool opened on "Splash Day" in May when the weather warmed. That was a great time for all. Friday night scramblers were "not to be missed". If you didn't play golf, you road along just to be a part of the fun. Then back to the club for Friday Night Special. In the early eighties, a tap dance group of 8 was formed. They were "The Sophisticates". They performed at all the nursing homes, golf groups, East Texas Fair, and many other places, for over 15 years. There was something for everyone at Emerald Bay. Many friendships were re-kindled and new ones made. It's like our bumper stickers on our golf cart reads "Emerald Bay is Paradise".
