Ford's Colony Press Release

Below is a press release sent out by North Carolina Wesleyan regarding the Ford's Colony Race. It provides additional details on how the proceeds will be used.

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Race Will Benefit Scholarships

Rocky Mount, N.C.—Two local education scholarships that honor the late Richard J. “Rick” Ford, Jr., founder of Ford’s Colony in Rocky Mount, will grow larger from the proceeds of 10K and 5K races to be held along the golf paths at Ford’s Colony on Saturday, September 13.

The Rocky Mount Endurance Club is directing the inaugural Ford’s Colony 5k and 10k races presented by Davenport Honda. All race proceeds will be divided between the memorial scholarships that honor Ford at North Carolina Wesleyan College and Nash Community College.

The 10K race will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the private Ford’s Colony entrance road beside the main fountains. Runners will follow paths for all 18 holes and can enjoy one of the most scenic golf courses in the Southeast. The 5K race will start at 8:05 a.m. on the same entrance road and will follow a somewhat different scenic path before returning to the finish line located near the 18th green.

The Rocky Mount business community has shown tremendous support for this inaugural event. Over 10 local businesses are participating as sponsors of the races, which will help to ensure an enjoyable time by everyone involved.

Rick Ford, who passed away in December 2007, was a Wesleyan trustee and served on the Nash Community College Foundation Board of Directors. Rick was a generous supporter of education and the needs of young people in general. He supported many community groups and made Ford’s Colony the home course for North Carolina Wesleyan’s golf team. He also made the Ford’s Colony course available for fundraising events at both North Carolina Wesleyan and Nash Community College.

He was president and chief executive officer of Realtec Incorporated and in 2005 began Ford’s Colony—Rocky Mount, modeled after Ford’s Colony—Williamsburg. He also created Keowee Key in Salem, S.C., and Sapphire Valley in Cashiers, N.C.

A native of New York, Rick Ford was a highly respected member of the business communities of Atlanta, Williamsburg, and Rocky Mount; a founding member of the Buckhead Club in Atlanta; and an executive founder of the Georgia Dome. He served on national boards of directors of professional associations and generously supported major charities.