The Ford Field & River Club, the premier private residential member-owned community and coastal sporting club located just 18 miles from Savannah, is proud to announce the appointment of Jeff Dekruif as General Manager/Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Dekruif is responsible for maintaining The Ford Field & River Club’s reputation as one of the nation’s top coastal sporting clubs, overseeing operations, and spearheading its continued growth, including the $22.5 million Amenity Upgrade Initiative and the club's successful real estate ventures.

The Amenity Upgrade Initiative, the largest in the Lowcountry, underscores The Ford Field & River Club’s commitment to enhancing its world-class offerings. This project focuses on key amenities, including The Clubhouse, Lake Dye Grill, Sports Barn, and Golf Practice Facility. These upgrades will blend The Ford Field & River Club’s rich history and natural beauty with Lowcountry luxury and functionality. The initiative follows two consecutive years of record real estate sales totaling over $80 million and significant enhancements to a centerpiece amenity, The Main House, the 7,000-square-foot Greek Revival estate listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We were very fortunate first to have Jeff join our team as Chief Financial Officer in 2023,” said The Ford Field & River Club Board of Directors. “With his time at The Ford Field & River Club and extensive private club industry leadership, no one is better suited to serve us as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. We are confident that under Jeff’s stewardship, our club will continue to thrive, maintaining the high standards of excellence we have all come to expect”.

Before his tenure at The Ford, Dekruif served as General Manager at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC. He also held key leadership roles at Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton and Blackhawk Country Club in California, where he served as CFO & Assistant General Manager of the 5,000-acre master-planned luxury residential golf community. His background includes a 12-year tenure in finance with Troon, the world’s largest golf and club operations firm, where he oversaw the private club division and consulted with numerous properties nationwide.

Jeff is actively involved in the private club industry, speaking at leadership conferences coast to coast. He was recently appointed to the 2025-2026 Global Board of Directors for Hospitality Finance & Technology Professionals (HFTP). He was one of only 22 CFOs in the country with the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation and one of just two CFOs who were both CCMs and an associate member of the PGA of America. Dekruif also serves on the national strategic advisory council for Club Benchmarking, partnering with their executive team on initiatives that drive the private club industry forward.

“I am deeply honored to take on this new role at The Ford Field & River Club,” said Dekruif. “It’s a privilege to serve our incredible membership and steward an iconic Lowcountry private club community set along Georgia's great Ogeechee River. I’m also truly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our dedicated and caring team of 170 employees. We have a special community here, and I’m committed to leading with the Southern hospitality that makes The Ford, The Ford. There are countless people to thank for their wisdom and guidance over the years—no one gets to where they want to be alone. Together with our members and staff, I look forward to making a positive impact and continuing the legacy of excellence that defines our community.”

For more information on The Ford Field & River Club’s Amenity Upgrade Initiative or to learn about real estate opportunities, please visit FordFieldandRiverClub.com or contact Marianne Schofield, Director of Membership Development and Marketing, at 912-756-5614.