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Residential community set on Ford's former estate, with lodging, a golf course & sports complex.
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Reviews — 8
Pristine grounds and a lovely, quiet place in June while we visited.
My wife and I moved our four kids (8,6,4,2) down to Ford in July of this year from Grand Rapids, Mi. We found this place in early 2022 and absolutely fell in love with everything about it. Ford is truly the greatest, most beautiful place in the world to raise a family. We really value this community and the amazing friendships we’ve made so far in such a short time. Unbelievable golf course, marina, equestrian center, fishing, etc, etc.... and full of the nicest people you'll ever meet!!
One of most beautiful, most friendly places on the planet. Where else can you golf, fish, boat, bike, spa, workout, play tennis and Pickleball, fine dine year round and still be minutes from a major airport and larger city? Not many. Incredible place and special group of folks. A very unique and special experience.
Ford Field and River Club, renowned for its southern charm and relaxed ambiance framed by moss-covered oak trees and the meandering Ogeechee River, is facing concerns about a shift in the community's ethos under current leadership. Despite its outward appearance as a welcoming haven, there is mounting evidence of a perceived autocratic rule within the confines of the pristine white plantation gates.
Allegations suggest the emergence of an elitist faction dominating the leadership, deviating from the cherished values of "Dacorum" that once defined the community's pride. The current situation is causing disquiet, drawing unsettling parallels to historical instances like the brown shirts of the Sturmabteilung.
Of greater urgency are recent reports highlighting multiple HR complaints concerning inappropriate relationships between senior leadership and subordinates. Alarmingly, those voicing these concerns have faced abrupt terminations, while the accused individuals continue to hold influential positions as managers and directors. The disheartening revelation that such individuals enjoy protection from the General Manager and the President of the Board of Directors adds to the complexity of the situation.
Regrettably, this information must be shared anonymously due to the apparent determination of the aforementioned leadership to suppress dissent within the community. Measures such as letters of reprimand, suspensions, or expulsion from the club are wielded against any member or employee daring to shed light on the growing list of issues.
Allegations suggest the emergence of an elitist faction dominating the leadership, deviating from the cherished values of "Dacorum" that once defined the community's pride. The current situation is causing disquiet, drawing unsettling parallels to historical instances like the brown shirts of the Sturmabteilung.
Of greater urgency are recent reports highlighting multiple HR complaints concerning inappropriate relationships between senior leadership and subordinates. Alarmingly, those voicing these concerns have faced abrupt terminations, while the accused individuals continue to hold influential positions as managers and directors. The disheartening revelation that such individuals enjoy protection from the General Manager and the President of the Board of Directors adds to the complexity of the situation.
Regrettably, this information must be shared anonymously due to the apparent determination of the aforementioned leadership to suppress dissent within the community. Measures such as letters of reprimand, suspensions, or expulsion from the club are wielded against any member or employee daring to shed light on the growing list of issues.
The Ford Field and River Club in Savannah, Georgia offers a lifestyle that most people are not familiar with. This extremely upscale and private 1,800-acre vacation home community is built along Georgia’s Ogeechee River and is located minutes from downtown Savannah. The Ford - as it is better known - has a tremendous history dating back to 1917, when world-renowned automaker Henry Ford first encountered the Savannah, Georgia area. Ford purchased over 70,000 acres – equivalent to 120 square miles - of land in the Savannah area.
The Ford is a recreational oasis with a myriad of sports and recreational opportunities at your disposal to keep you busy and active. Equestrian enthusiasts can explore more than 10 miles of bridle trails. The state-of-the-art Equestrian Center is a 7-acre facility comprised of 22 stalls, multiple arenas, and a members' lounge. Water lovers can choose from several activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or boating. If fishing is your thing, the waterways around the community are teeming with bass, trout, blue crab, and shrimp or you can book an expert-guided fishing excursion through the Deepwater Marina. The nearby 5,000-acre Dorchester Shooting Preserve offers sporting clays and upland wing shooting. Other activities include archery, running, hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, water skiing, tennis, and pickleball.
For the majority of residents, the main attraction at The Ford is its award-winning golf course. This exciting Pete Dye design winds its way throughout 250 acres and is shaped by freshwater lakes, meadows, and coastline.
Pete Dye’s main objective was to create a course that was playable for the members, one they could enjoy and have fun on. And, with its two different design styles, this course does not disappoint. The front nine is traditional, Lowcountry, parkland-style golf with a lot of doglegs, and winds its way along the lakes and through groves of oak trees draped with Spanish moss.
The back nine was built on rice paddies and is reminiscent of a Scottish links course, especially when the wind is blowing. There are few trees, good undulation in the fairways and on the greens, and wide-open spaces. In his own words, Dye proudly proclaimed The Ford his “finest Southern links.”
As you make your way around the course, you’ll encounter tricky pin placements and strategically placed bunkers. Getting off the tee is the easy part, many of the fairways are wide and generous and everything slopes toward the middle. The course gets a little tougher with each hole played, primarily the approach shots. Better golfers that try to take a more direct route to the green had best be on their A-game, otherwise, the course will eat you up! You’ll have the most fun if you keep the ball in the fairway and minimize risk-taking. Ladies will appreciate the attention given to the placement of the forward tees, which typically eliminate the need to carry water or larger hazards. Women have Pete’s wife Alice to thank for that!
The Ford also has some pristine practice facilities with a full-length driving range, putting green, and a short game area. If you’re having trouble with any facet of your game, the talented professional staff can help.
To help keep you in shape physically and mentally The Ford’s Sports Barn & Pool offers 7,000 square feet of fitness equipment including a squash court, cardio and strength-training equipment, personal training, and more. There are three Har-Tru tennis courts nearby as well as croquet, bocce, lawn tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts. There are several pools too.
One of the best ways to experience all that the Ford Field and River Plantation has to offer is one of their Discovery Experience packages. As their guest, you will have the opportunity to enjoy three days and two nights at The Main House, Henry, and Clara Ford’s prized estate, and indulge in all the activities you so desire.
The Ford is a recreational oasis with a myriad of sports and recreational opportunities at your disposal to keep you busy and active. Equestrian enthusiasts can explore more than 10 miles of bridle trails. The state-of-the-art Equestrian Center is a 7-acre facility comprised of 22 stalls, multiple arenas, and a members' lounge. Water lovers can choose from several activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or boating. If fishing is your thing, the waterways around the community are teeming with bass, trout, blue crab, and shrimp or you can book an expert-guided fishing excursion through the Deepwater Marina. The nearby 5,000-acre Dorchester Shooting Preserve offers sporting clays and upland wing shooting. Other activities include archery, running, hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, water skiing, tennis, and pickleball.
For the majority of residents, the main attraction at The Ford is its award-winning golf course. This exciting Pete Dye design winds its way throughout 250 acres and is shaped by freshwater lakes, meadows, and coastline.
Pete Dye’s main objective was to create a course that was playable for the members, one they could enjoy and have fun on. And, with its two different design styles, this course does not disappoint. The front nine is traditional, Lowcountry, parkland-style golf with a lot of doglegs, and winds its way along the lakes and through groves of oak trees draped with Spanish moss.
The back nine was built on rice paddies and is reminiscent of a Scottish links course, especially when the wind is blowing. There are few trees, good undulation in the fairways and on the greens, and wide-open spaces. In his own words, Dye proudly proclaimed The Ford his “finest Southern links.”
As you make your way around the course, you’ll encounter tricky pin placements and strategically placed bunkers. Getting off the tee is the easy part, many of the fairways are wide and generous and everything slopes toward the middle. The course gets a little tougher with each hole played, primarily the approach shots. Better golfers that try to take a more direct route to the green had best be on their A-game, otherwise, the course will eat you up! You’ll have the most fun if you keep the ball in the fairway and minimize risk-taking. Ladies will appreciate the attention given to the placement of the forward tees, which typically eliminate the need to carry water or larger hazards. Women have Pete’s wife Alice to thank for that!
The Ford also has some pristine practice facilities with a full-length driving range, putting green, and a short game area. If you’re having trouble with any facet of your game, the talented professional staff can help.
To help keep you in shape physically and mentally The Ford’s Sports Barn & Pool offers 7,000 square feet of fitness equipment including a squash court, cardio and strength-training equipment, personal training, and more. There are three Har-Tru tennis courts nearby as well as croquet, bocce, lawn tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts. There are several pools too.
One of the best ways to experience all that the Ford Field and River Plantation has to offer is one of their Discovery Experience packages. As their guest, you will have the opportunity to enjoy three days and two nights at The Main House, Henry, and Clara Ford’s prized estate, and indulge in all the activities you so desire.
My Husband and I cant say enough positive things about the Ford Field and River Club. We feel so fortunate to have come across this gorgeous venue for our wedding and to have worked with the people we worked with there including Lauren, Makayla and Trey! What an all-star group of professionals who know how to make you feel at home and comfortable while you plan your big day. The landscape is STUNNING. The chef was INCREDIBLE. The Main House is GORGEOUS. This place is out of a movie and once you are there under those breathtaking Spanish moss trees, looking around at the elegance of the estate... you'll know you made the right choice. This place is a gem, 10/10.
As a wedding photographer myself, I have never posted a negative review like this, but truly feel that I need to warn other potential couples. My fiance and I toured Ford and fell head-over-heels in love with the beautiful space in June of 2021. Shortly after, management was changed (we had no idea) and our experience rapidly went downhill. Communication was almost non-existent, we had to send dozens of follow-up emails to get a response and tens of thousands of dollars worth of expenses were added to our bill over 6 months AFTER booking. There were endless expenses that were not communicated to us up front (you have to pay to rent everything from trash cans to sheet pans) and our food and beverage estimate was more than 3x the minimum in our contract. Despite all of this, we went into our tasting experience hopeful that it would turn the experience around. We had communicated more than once, both verbally and in writing, that my fiance had celiac disease and would need gluten free food. As a venue that prides itself on it's 5-star fine dining experience (and requires you to use their catering), we expected they would have no problem handling such a common food allergy. Upon arriving, it was clear that the "5-star culinary experience" we were promised (with a $50,000+ price tag) could not even handle a common food allergy and had no interest in paying attention to client details. My fiance was served gluten more than 5 times, and one of those times the chef assured us the dish was gluten free just to come back later and say that it was not... this could have quite literally put my fiance in the hospital. When we asked Ford what they planned to do to repair this situation, they were far from apologetic or understanding. Instead, they were condescending and offered laughable solutions (i.e. $1000 off of a $50,000+ tab). Ultimately, we had to cancel our contract with Ford and change venues over a year into the planning process. As stunning as Ford's views are...nothing is worth the experience we had with them. We have a healthy 6-figure wedding budget and were made to feel like we were penny pinching just to afford the bare minimum in client experience. I hope changes are made to provide a better experience for future clients.