Cougar IslandLogo Design Contest

Dear designers,
This is one of the two most important communities we will ever develop on Kiawah Island.
(The other is Cape Charles: https://logotournament.com/contests/cape_charles )
A higher prize amount is being offered for these two contests in order to attract the best designers and the best work.
In respect for your talent and efforts, I promise the following:
> I will rank daily, often multiple times a day
> I will regularly provide individual feedback
> I will rank as many as 80-100 entries in the end to reward points
> I will respond to questions as promptly and thoroughly as possible
> I will post certain comments on this page to benefit all designers
> I may end the contest early if the number and quality of entries is excellent; so please don't hold back for an end-of-contest logo dump
> I will never ask you to copy existing work or 'borrow' elements from another logo or designer
> I will alert a designer if they enter a logo I think is too similar to another logo to keep logo court cases from occurring
I have had great experiences on here in the past and expect this contest to be just as fun and productive.
Knock my socks off!
~Geoff

Please do not include "ultra-upscale resort community." That is merely a description.
Also—entries #7 and #8 are more suited to commercial, motel, or attraction applications.
This logo requires high-end, high-brow sophistication.

I will keep and consider as many ideas as I can. So, logos marked "not interested" are simply to thin out variations of a concept or execution.

Would like to see more understated designs. Simple. Iconic.
A wordmark with a simple artistic twist (no icon necessarily) could also work.
Also, feel free to try stamped, hand lettered, rough or raw typefaces.
~Thanks~

The client, owners, creative department staff, and I are asking for the bar to be raised greatly.
We believe the prize package should attract a higher level, more refined collection of work.
Looking forward to renewed passion and new entries! Re-reading the brief and comments may help.
~Thanks~

Some information about the trees in the PDF. They look like they belong in Africa, don't they? Well, believe it or not, they are actually oak trees! They get their distinctive shape from what is called "salt air pruning." Essentially, the moist ocean air that circulates around the land erodes and thins out the bottom part of the tree's limbs. (We call them "God's bonsai.")
I understand the allure of the look of those trees. They are incredible. Just don't want designers to feel they HAVE to include a tree image. ~Thanks!~

Would really, really like to see more entries with the wordmark approach: subtle artistic additions integrated into what would otherwise just be straight type. Hope that makes sense. Right now, #93 is the only example of that approach in this contest. ~Thanks~

I will be switching certain logos in and out of the number 1 position to allow designers to submit tweaks or color combinations as requested. ~Thanks!~

Extended: Client had to revamp the brief at the direction of the steering committee. Extended until Monday.

The steering committee has changed directions. Unfortunately, most of the entries do not meet this new direction. Apologies. Their 'new' directive requires a "traditional, more classic, upscale community logotype." They are requesting only wordmarks—not just straight type, but a typeface modified to some level and perhaps with an integrated, subtle graphic element. I hope the prize amount and my willingness to work with all of you will entice you to re-enter.
Willing to clarify or answer any questions you may have.

~Thank you~

More refined. Crisp. Tasteful. Less raw and adventurous than the original style sliders indicated.
The owners are seeking an elegant luxury-brand logotype (wordmark). REAL elegance—not false elegance such as cursive/script with gold gradients.
~Thanks~

Dear kpcd,
sorry I've made ​​a mistake

Hi, Kassai!
I'm in the process of doing that right now. Hope it helps.
~Thanks~!

As a general rule, I find that wider kerning (letter spacing) helps almost any typeface assume a more upscale appearance. The owners (as am I) are attracted by the technique; not in every entry, but it would be nice to have more that attempt it. Some/many work well as is.
~Thanks!~

Excellent entries!
Anyone who wants to offer color options on their ranked designs, please do so.
~Thanks!~

Incredible collection of work! Thank you all. Will get as many in front of the owners as possible. Will probably also be switching designers in and out of the number one ranking in order to get revisions.

I have extended our other contest to get more wordmark entries like the great work done here.
If you're interested, please participate!
https://logotournament.com/contests/cape_charles
~Thank you!~