In the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic, I continue to be amazed by the level of activity that is occurring throughout The Ford Plantation.
With 1,800 acres, we have been able to provide the respite and sanctuary that so many of our members and their families have sought as they exit some of the more densely populated areas of the country. Activity on property, in all areas, is better than expected and up significantly over prior years with golf, equestrian, spa, fitness and outdoor pursuits having record years.
I guess I should not be surprised that people are embracing this active outdoor lifestyle in this community of friends and neighbors. It makes perfect sense to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who all share a common care for themselves, their environment, and those around them.
Along with increased member usage, we are also seeing an influx of new and potential members to Ford. We are up 400% in property sales over last year, and we anticipate even better numbers by the end of the year. These members are bringing a new level of energy and enthusiasm to Ford.
Although we cannot directly correlate property sales with COVID-19, anecdotally I can say that everyone has hit “pause” and done a little self-reflecting on what is truly important in their lives. The pandemic has had a funny way of changing the plans of those who were not in the market to buy a home immediately. Priorities have been recast, to say the least.
Those of us here at Ford are not the only ones who see excellence—we have retained two very important and prestigious accolades: the Platinum Clubs of America and Distinguished Club Elite statuses. Both awards recognize the world-class experience members enjoy every day.
The Platinum Clubs of America award ranks The Ford Plantation among the top five percent of all clubs in the United States and in the top 150 clubs nationwide. We went from 150 on the Platinum list to 106, which is a significant jump over some very good clubs.
The Distinguished Club Elite award is the only merit-based award program that recognizes private clubs and their management for outstanding delivery of exceptional member experience.
We are proud and humbled to have received this national recognition from our peer clubs, and it is a testament to the rich and vibrant membership that makes Ford so special.
We hope you enjoy this glimpse into life in the Lowcountry, and we would welcome an opportunity to share the magic of Ford with you.
God Bless,
Marc Ray General Manager, CCE, CCM, CAM, CHAE
