As The Ford Field & River Club bids farewell to 2023, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and the special moments that brought our Lowcountry community closer together. From gathering for time-honored traditions to growing our Ford family to celebrating 25 years of our storied sanctuary, we are truly appreciative of all those who made this year such a special one.
Read on for our annual recap, paired with a look at what’s to come in the new year. If you haven’t yet scheduled your Discovery Visit, we invite you to make 2024 the year you experience the finest coastal sporting club in the nation.
33 Sales and New Collaborations
In the heart of Southern charm and Lowcountry allure, The Ford thrives on the togetherness of family, friends and neighbors shaping our vibrant community. This year, we celebrated 33 real estate sales, welcoming new members who chose between meticulously crafted new homes and timeless estate homes in our five distinct enclaves. Among the sales, two members reinvested in The Ford, purchasing architectural heritage homes, while five former non-resident national members became full multigenerational members.
Collaborating with HMAF, LLC, a visionary developer owned by The Ford’s members, we launched the Indigo Collection—an exclusive assortment of five new construction home designs in a prime Lowcountry location. This collection provides an effortless path to owning a new-construction home with coveted access to multigenerational membership.
Excitement soared with the announcement of our new partnership with Axon Homes, a leading custom home builder in the Lowcountry. This dynamic collaboration promises coastal modern homes designed for quintessential Lowcountry living, with the first home breaking ground over the summer. The Ford continues to evolve, embracing community spirit, innovation and the enduring beauty of our Southern haven.
Exclusive Member Events, Only at The Ford
2023 was filled to the brim with fun and memorable events, offering our members and their guests a delightful and exclusive spectrum of new experiences and longtime traditions.
A weekend for the books was The Ford’s Silver Anniversary Homecoming weekend, celebrating 25 years of Ford history. The festive weekend featured everything from pool parties and pony rides to a golf tournament and the iconic Homecoming Oyster Roast as well as a Homecoming Gala at The Main House.
Some of the year’s most beloved moments included sunset kayaking tours, Cookies & Cocktails at The Main House, Chef’s wine dinners, fishing tournaments, and pickleball clinics for beginners and experts alike. There were also a number of exciting member-guest golf tournaments throughout the year for men and ladies—with ladies having their highest-ever number of participants this year. A special thank you to all the members who attended any of the events. We look forward to seeing you next year.
Image: MDB Photography
In the News
Once again, The Ford has retained its prestigious status as a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.” Our private enclave has been awarded this title since 2020 through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International initiative. In August, The Ford played host to the PGA’s 72nd Golf Pro Payments Georgia Open, marking the sixth time this storied tournament has graced the fairways of our Pete Dye Championship Golf Course.
Just up the road, Savannah, The Ford’s neighboring big city to the northeast, was voted one of the “Best Cities in the United States” by the 2023 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, giving our members just one more reason to treasure life here in the Lowcountry. Savannah was awarded the title because of its reputation for friendliness, interesting architecture and diverse array of attractions and activities. The recognition also celebrated the city’s rich history, picture-perfect scenery and moody, mossy atmosphere.
The Best is Yet to Come
A pivotal highlight of this year has been the restoration and update of The Main House. Originally built in 1937 and recognized in the National Register of Historic Places, our 7,000-square-foot Greek Revival estate now stands more majestic than ever—a testament to Henry and Clara Ford’s vision of a Lowcountry dream home. We’re thrilled to fully unveil the renovated and restyled details of The Main House in the beginning of 2024.
Our excitement extends to The Ford’s Amenity Transformation project, recently granted enthusiastic member approval. This project represents the most extensive amenity transformation ever witnessed for a private community in the Lowcountry, and it will break ground in 2024. Stay tuned for forthcoming details.
With Discovery Visits already booked for 2024, a plethora of community events, new homes under construction and many more updates for us to share soon, we know the best is yet to come here at The Ford.
Want to experience our Lowcountry community for yourself? Schedule your Discovery Visit today.
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