Pete Dye Golf Course Restoration Pictures

See some of the highlights from this past years work on the golf course. Navigate the slides by using the arrows below.

Pete Dye Visits Ford Plantation to Continue Design



Rain, sleet or snow did not stop Mr. Dye from working during his mid-December visit a week ago at TFP. Okay… it is South Georgia, so it doesn’t sleet or snow… However, it was cold and the golf course received significant rainfall as the Hall of Fame Architect made his way around the 18 hole course. Watching Pete Dye drudge through the torrential rain, mud and muck was simply inspiring. When the visit was completed, the club was awarded with a great photograph, (captured by Dr. Bill Thompson, Restoration & Green Committee Chair) of Mr. Dye on the 14^th golf hole encompassed by a colorful rainbow. A photo for the archives… Great shot Dr. Thompson!     

Mr. Dye reviewing the work at 9 green.

The main objective of Mr. Dye’s visit was to sign off on holes 7, 8, 9 and then continue design work on holes 10-18 and #1. In addition, a major point of emphasis was given to the 18^th, where Mr. Dye spent a couple of hours.

Some of the work being conducted currently includes:

·         Bunker drainage at 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13

·         Green drainage installation at 9

·         Earthwork at #1 golf hole

·         Storm water pipe installment at #2

·         Storm water pipe installment at #3

·         Green development at golf hole 1

·         Golf course drainage at 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 18

·         Bunker construction at 11

·         Storm water pump installation at 18 tee with discharge pipes incuded

·         Irrigation pump installation at the Lake Dye pump house

·         General grading and staking is occurring on the front 9 golf holes

·         Laser leveling of tees is beginning on specific holes

MacCurrach Golf Construction Company will resume work on the course on Monday the 30^th of December. Also, the construction company will observe New Year’s Day on the 1^st and then resume work following the holiday. Enjoy the latest photos from Mr. Dye’s most recent visit below and Happy Holiday’s from the Golf Course Maintenance Department.



#8 green has been developed.

Pete Dye and Project Architect Tim Liddy discussing strategy at a green side bunker.

Tim Liddy takes notes as Dye describes the design features for the 13 green complex.

Mr. Dye and Nelson flagging the 13th tee.

Dye and Liddy reviewing the #14 green site.

The rain belting in on the team. 

Mr. Dye took time to visit the staging area and review the infrastructure. The HDPE irrigation system shown in the back.

Mr. Dye designing the 16th green complex as Tim Liddy looks on.



Chris Kleinsmith and his team from MacCurrach Golf look on as Dye and Liddy discuss the 18th. 

Finally, Mr. Dye on the 13th golf hole as a rainbow stretches out over the horizon.

New Assistant Superintendent Joins GCM Team

The golf course maintenance department is excited to welcome our new Assistant Superintendent, Dane Alexander, to our staff.

Dane comes to us from the Nicklaus Course at Colleton River Plantation in Bluffton, SC where he was a 2nd Assistant. While obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in Agronomy from Purdue University he interned at Colleton River and The Ford Plantation. During his internship at The Ford Plantation, Dane was awarded The Pete Dye Scholarship.

We are extremely excited to have Dane join the Golf Course Maintenance Team. If you see Dane on the course please introduce yourself to him and welcome him to The Ford Plantation.

Golf Course Restoration Update for the Week of December 1-7, 2013

An incredible amount of work was completed last week on the restoration project of the course. Here are a few of the highlights of the activity:

• Irrigation at holes 7,8 and 9 have been staked out and the wire for the system on hole 7 is already laying on the ground. Bob Scott, TFP's irrigation consultant form Atlanta, GA was on property to supervise the staking of the irrigation and he will return soon to deliver more directives.
• The irrigation road crossings have been patched up by the Crosby Paving Company.
• TFP's project architect, Tim Liddy has been on site for the last several weeks to implements Mr. Dye's latest directives. Last week, Mr. Liddy implemented Dye's vision on golf holes 11,12,13,14,15,16,17 and 18. Mr Dye is scheduled to be back this week.
• The bulkhead at 2 has been removed in the demolition program.
• Strom water drainage installation is occurring at golf holes 1,2,9,10,11,14,17 and 18 last week and this week.
• The greens at holes 7 and 8 were drained and had the 4 inch gravel installed in them.
• Bunker drainage at holes 7,8,9 are being completed.

The gravel to 7 green has been added. The green complex looks amazing.

The bulkhead at #2 golf hole has been removed and new drainage is being installed.

#6 green complex shown here is being roto-tilled. A critical demolition step.

The irrigation wires for 7 green complex are waiting to be installed.

The bunker drainage at 7 green complex has been installed.

8 green has had the drainage installed and the gravel blanket laid over the top.

The old irrigation pump station skid has been removed.