The $7 million-plus redevelopment of The Ford Plantation’s Pete-Dye designed golf course is scheduled for completion in October.
To club members’ delight, Dye, the only living World Golf Hall of Fame architect, has been hands-on during the year-long project at the prestigious Richmond Hill enclave, spending extended time on-site and hand drawing green complex designs in the Coastal Georgia dirt.
“I looked at The Ford Plantation as a unique chance and almost a blank slate,” Dye said of a course he originally worked on nearly three decades ago. “The Ford Plantation golf course will stand among my finest Southern designs.”
Originally envisioned as a restoration necessitated by infrastructure upgrades, the updating has become transformational in its effects. Golf course architect Tim Liddy, a longtime Dye collaborator and confidant, is helping lead the redesign.
“Pete is always passionate about his work, but it’s obvious that he feels a special connection with The Ford Plantation,” Liddy said. “It’s certainly among the largest redesigns of one his courses that he’s ever undertaken.”
The 88-year-old Dye’s strong presence is viewed as a bonus by club officials, who have been amazed to see a legend of the game at work up close.
“The amount of time Mr. Dye has spent here has surpassed all of our expectations,” said C.W. Canfield, The Ford Plantation Director of Golf. “We are fortunate that he has taken such great interest in revitalizing and reimagining his original work. His leadership of this project has been remarkable.”
The Ford Plantation has partnered with MacCurrach Golf Construction to manage the redesign. It’s the ninth time that the Jacksonville, Fla.-based firmed has worked with Dye on this type of project.