This past week, The Ford Field & River Club proudly welcomed some of the nation’s top collegiate golfers for the 2025 Ford Collegiate. The event brought national attention to The Ford and filled our championship course with energy, sportsmanship and standout play. Designed by World Golf Hall of Fame architect Pete Dye, the course spans 250 acres of pristine Lowcountry terrain and is considered one of the South’s most exclusive and thoughtfully designed private courses. It offered a fitting challenge for the game’s rising stars, with a parkland-style front nine winding through ancient oaks and freshwater lakes, and a links-style back nine revealing sweeping views of the Ogeechee River.
A Record-Breaking Start
Sunday kicked off with perfect weather and ideal course conditions for the Co-Am event, where Ford members had the opportunity to play alongside some of collegiate golf’s brightest stars. The day was highlighted by two remarkable achievements that set the tone for the entire tournament.
Texas Longhorn Christiaan Maas etched his name into The Ford’s history books by firing an incredible 62 from the tournament tees, breaking the previous course record by two strokes. Not to be outdone, Georgia Bulldog Carter Loflin thrilled everyone with a hole-in-one on the challenging 17th hole—remarkably, it was just his fourth hole of the day.
The Co-Am competition itself was fiercely contested, with the team of members Myles Gillespie and Dr. Bubba Victor, paired with Texas teammates Christiaan Maas and Tommy Morrison, combining for a spectacular 21-under-par to claim a one-shot victory.
Rising Reputation
As Monday’s play concluded, the buzz around The Ford was palpable. Players, coaches and spectators alike couldn’t help but compare our Pete Dye masterpiece to some of the finest courses they’d experienced. The pristine conditions prepared by our dedicated Agronomy Crew received universal praise, with social media channels lighting up with compliments about both the course and our renowned Southern hospitality. Several visitors also remarked on the rare luxury of no tee times, a privilege reserved exclusively for members that reflects the relaxed pace and elevated lifestyle found at The Ford.
The leaderboard began to tighten, with Auburn’s Jackson Koivun and South Carolina’s Frankie Harris sharing the top spot at 4-under-par after 36 holes. Parker Claxton of Georgia Southern remained close behind, setting up a dramatic final day.
A Dramatic Finish
Tuesday’s final round delivered all the drama and excitement befitting a championship event. As the dust settled after 54 holes, Georgia Bulldogs teammates Buck Brumlow and Grayson Wood found themselves deadlocked at 5-under-par, setting the stage for a sudden-death playoff on our signature 18th hole.
Both players found the fairway with their drives, but it was Brumlow who seized the moment, hitting a spectacular approach to within five feet of the hole. When his birdie putt found the center of the cup, Brumlow not only claimed the individual title but also earned an exemption into next April’s Korn Ferry Tour’s Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club.
On the team front, the University of Texas mounted an impressive final-round charge, overcoming a five-shot deficit to edge out LSU for the team championship.
A Community Celebration
What made this inaugural event truly special was the unwavering support of The Ford community and its members. From welcoming players and guests to the extraordinary efforts of our Agronomy, Golf Operations and Food & Beverage teams, every detail reflected the pride and passion that define life at The Ford.
The 2025 Ford Collegiate was more than a golf tournament. It was a celebration of excellence, camaraderie and the spirit of our Lowcountry community that continues to set the standard for our private coastal golf and sporting club community. And we’re excited to announce we will be welcoming it back next year!
Interested in experiencing the nation’s finest coastal golf and sporting club community first-hand? 2025 bookings are filling up quickly–plan your Discovery Visit today by choosing from a two-night, three-day Discovery Stay or an epic Discovery Day visit.
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