For many, the new year signals the beginning of a season of change. For The Ford, that season of change hasn’t come without years of careful planning and thoughtful decision making. In 2026, those plans will come to life in significant ways for the present and future of the club as Ford will complete the largest renovation project of any member-owned private club community in the Lowcountry.
Jeff Dekruif, General Manager & Chief Operating Officer of The Ford, shares insight into what’s on the horizon for the club and how we got here.
Sports Barn Reopening
The most forthcoming change our members will see is the reopening of our Sports Barn following an 8-month-long renovation.
For many years, we heard the feedback that our members’ wellness routines were evolving and they were seeking new offerings at the club. Not only will the renovation bring us a beautiful new space, which includes new fitness studios, locker rooms, and advanced equipment, but will also expand our capabilities to introduce new group fitness classes, recovery services and access to numerous modern wellness machines and technologies.
Our team is really excited to take full advantage of this incredible new resource and be woven into the daily fitness routine of our members.
A Boldly Enhanced Clubhouse
If you’ve visited the property any time since mid-November, you know that the most significant change happening for us this year is the complete renovation of our Clubhouse.
We are in the midst of bringing that building into a new era – we’ll see new golf amenities, state-of-the-art food and beverage facilities, revitalized gathering spaces and a new place for members to generally spend quality time with each other. Right now, we’re seeing the skeleton of it coming to life and of course, it’s changing how we do a lot of things, including mealtimes, large events and executing member services at other locations on property.
We all know the end goal is going to make the temporary disruption and dust very worth it.
Years of Planning
Doing something like this does not come as the result of an overnight decision.
This planning began 5 years ago, with surveys, questionnaires, member focus groups and lots of research fueling our choices. Our members have been incredibly supportive of these changes, understanding there might be a few bumps in the road along the way.
Committees were formed to fine tune operational needs, we’ve discussed timelines in depth, and our staff have worked together to ensure their service to members continues to maintain our incredibly high standards.
Keeping the Process Transparent
As a club, transparency and open, frequent conversations have been vital to member trust and communication throughout the construction journey. Making sure we consider the “now” needs and wishes of our members must be balanced with what the future of The Ford will look like.
It’s a delicate process, and we’re confident that all this change is truly the best to maintain the integrity of the club while allowing it to reach new milestones.
A New Era Begins
With the completion of these new amenities, 2026 marks a new era for The Ford.
Along this path of improvement, leadership and members both have worked together to nurture the club’s growth while still staying true to its mission and heritage.
While we wait to see our beautiful new Clubhouse come to life, we look forward to getting creative while serving our members, embracing the change and looking forward to what’s to come for the future of The Ford.
–Jeff Dekruif
CEO & General Manager, The Ford
EXPERIENCE THE FORD
Despite its world-class golf course and Platinum club status, The Ford is NOT a country club. Members will be quick to tell you that it’s a sporting club, and more than that, it’s a community of owners who treasure its natural beauty and tranquility.
A cap on membership ensures The Ford will remain one of the nation’s most exclusive clubs. However, the club does make a limited number of discovery visits available for those wanting to experience this unique Lowcountry lifestyle. Discovery visits are reserved for qualified buyers, and can be arranged by following the link below.
