More great people who “give back” to the community. Thank you for all you do. Fun evening!!
A great evening honoring our sponsors who have been so generous with their time and money to provide for The Open Arms Home for Children and Habitat for Humanity here in Fannin and Gilmer Counties. The lifeblood of our community is outreach and these are shining examples of “service to others”. Hats off to our new Tavern Staff for making the first night on the books a success. Addison and his team did an amazing job. So much to look forward to. Feeling blessed to have great members, friends and staff. So many to thank - BIG thanks to all tonight.
Some great OTF swag in the new Golf Shop, including some persimmon for “man’s best friend”. Sadie Girl wearing her new OTF collar!
Congratulations to our employee of the month, Don Grotefend!
He is currently on our Golf Maintenance staff as a tee and approach mower at Old Toccoa Farm.
Constantly improving the functionality and aesthetics of the property is what he enjoys best about his job. He’s willing to do anything and everything to keep things running smoothly. If he sees something that needs to be done, he’s ready to get his hands dirty and jumps in without question. Recently we needed help at the gatehouse/guard gate, and he did a fabulous job interacting with all the members and getting to know them. If the staff at the tavern needed help, he would be there in a heartbeat. Whatever we need to keep things running, he’s there.
When asked about his proudest moment on the job, Don said it was now, just being considered an employee of the month was an honor.
Don currently lives in Murphy, NC, but is originally from Lakeland, FL, making his favorite sports team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Growing up, Don was a talkative kid. He would walk around the neighborhood pulling weeds from the yards and accepting peanuts as payment. His favorite family activity is spending quality time outdoors. When not at OTF Don enjoys gardening, tap dancing, and playing his ukulele.
Don is a team player and would advise the rest of his team to “Slow down for quality work!”
Congratulations Don! Thank you for all that you do here at Old Toccoa Farm!
Our community is rooted in the time-honored traditions of friends and family gathering.
Thank you to our residents and members for building those memories here.
Happy Easter, He has Risen! ☀️
"He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay." -Matthew 28:6
As the spring weather rolls in, check the forecast and schedule a day of golf here at Old Toccoa Farm.
Weekday golf is the perfect time to enjoy our well-maintained greens and fairways. Things are greening up, but our turf conditions are enjoyable all year round!
Old Toccoa Farm will be hosting open interviews for all Tavern Positions this Tuesday, April 12th and Wednesday, April 13th from 12 PM -4 PM.
Nature’s infinite presence defines every hole and every hazard on this course designed by Jack Dredla, Dan Proctor and Dave Axland, the trio known as Bunker Hill.
Here, Jack Dredla and Dan Proctor provide some insight into what it took to build the Old Toccoa Farm golf course.
Home construction remains quite busy here at Old Toccoa Farm.
New homes getting underway, and others getting closer to completion. Our builders are creating wonderful homes for our property owners. Soon, we will be welcoming 10 new families to the Farm as full-time residents.
Good Morning from Old Toccoa Farm ☀️
The view just past the Lavender Tees on Hole #13 never gets old. It won't be long before the trees have leaves and the fairways are green!
The landscaping around the Tavern is nearing completion, and we are excited to be one step closer to opening the doors.
Another beautiful home is dried-in and headed towards completion here at Old Toccoa Farm. We are looking forward to welcoming another family to Life on the Farm!
Builder: #ClaytoCustom
Litter along our county roads here in Fannin County has reached an epidemic stage. Ada Street, one of the most frequently traveled roads to and from Old Toccoa Farm, unfortunately, has become the "poster-child" for road litter.
OTF members have historically made a difference locally by participating in programs such as Rivers Alive, Lake Blue Ridge Clean Up Days, and other county and city volunteer opportunities and now we are moving into the Adopt-a-Road program.
Our First Adopt-A-Road pick-up day was on Monday. We are so grateful to those who came out to clean up this important road. We can not wait to continue making a difference in our community.
Soon guests will be able to enjoy a "Stay and Play" package with accommodations in one of our beautifully designed Hillside Cottages, overlooking the Toccoa River.
Members and guests will soon be able to enjoy this beautiful addition to Old Toccoa Farm and the greater Blue Ridge community. Delicious food, tasty refreshments, and above all, fellowship with friends and family will be on the menu.
In the coming weeks, we hope to be in a position to announce completion dates for both the Golf Shop and Tavern.
Much to look forward to as the warmer weather and golf season, kicks into high gear.
We recently held the first MGA event of the year. 🏌️♂️
The weather was fantastic and we had great participation in the event. We hope everyone who played enjoyed the event and cookout afterward.
View results and statistics in the Black Bear tournament here:
https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/8047966168503295485
Thank you all for playing and don't forget to sign-up for the next MGA tournament, April 2nd.
Our employee of the month is Jack Dredla, golf shaper extraordinaire!
He is currently our lead excavator, and as his name states, he’s truly our “Jack of All Trades.” Those are his words; he is someone who will jump in and help with anything that needs to be done here at Old Toccoa Farm. From moving dirt to laying sewage lines, to creating new roads, to adding landscaping. Everything and anything and it’s all in a day’s work for Jack. When it comes to the golf course, architectural integrity is the name of the game for Jack. Having shaped the entire course, we are blessed to have him here making sure the course matures as it should. He is always keeping a keen eye on the prize.
Jack and his wife Linda, and “our favorite golf dog” Rooney, live on three acres a short drive from OTF, just off the banks of the Toccoa River. Jack is native to Nebraska, growing up in Hyannis, (Go Cornhuskers!), and he spent the majority of his early years messing around outdoors. At the age of 12, he started working in the hayfields and driving tractors which led to building three golf holes on his property. He was then approached by golf course architect Dan Proctor about building Bayside Golf Course on McConaughy Lake in Ogallala, Nebraska. This was his first 18-hole course and took two summers to complete. In the winter he went to Austin, Texas, and worked on Ben Crenshaw’s Austin Golf Club. That was 26 years ago, and as they say, “the rest is history.”
Jack went on to shape golf courses in some pretty cool places including Australia, southern China, and all over the United States. Jack loves the Blue Ridge vibe and he and Linda are very happy here. Jack has five children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He and Linda enjoy golfing and fishing, with Linda “out-fishing” Jack most of the time!
Jack is at Old Toccoa Farm every day and enjoys keeping an eye on things and enjoys doing something different every day. He loves the residents and members and thinks we have an awesome team. He believes everyone should pitch in wherever needed to make Old Toccoa Farm the best it can be. He’s all about team-work and having fun!
Another beautiful home nearing completion here at Old Toccoa Farm. We are looking forward to welcoming another family to Life on the Farm!
#Solatect #CoxCustomHomes
BIG shoutout Happy Birthday, to OTF’s own Gene Pica. 70 never looked so good. You are a fine man, an excellent friend and we wish you health and happiness this trip around the sun. Enjoy YOUR Day!
Wishing all of our OTF members and public playing guests, a Happy Valentine's Day.
We hope you can find the time today to enjoy those you love most.
We love snow at OTF ❄️
Quiet charm and graciousness lay at the heart of Old Toccoa Farm. We love being a distinctive golf and river community rooted in simplicity, quality and natural beauty.
Congrats to our employee of the month, Eric Soroka!
After 30+ years working as the City Manager for Aventura, Florida, Eric and his wife Teresa (and their beautiful dogs) made their way to Blue Ridge for a well-deserved life of relaxation. A couple of years ago, Eric decided to dip his toe back into “process management”, accepting a position here at Old Toccoa Farm as Director, Construction and Member Services.
The impact Eric has made the past two years has been substantial. Eric met the inherent challenges of overseeing the construction of 30+ homes, and various phases of infrastructure and other commercial projects, with enthusiasm and determination but above all professionalism. Eric’s ability to assist us in making sure we move things forward has been extremely valuable and we are reminded daily how fortunate we have been to have him on our team.
Eric’s contributions, each and every month, have gone far beyond his primary role and for those efforts, we are most grateful. We know Eric will be successful as the new Blue Ridge City Administrator and we can't think of anymore more deserving.
Eric is our employee of the month for February but our friend and colleague forever.
Our Tavern is coming along nicely.
We are looking forward to delicious meals, tasty drinks, and great fellowship here at the 19th hole!
Interior Designer @bbdgdesign
Architect @kuodiedrichchi
As we move into 2022, there is so much to be excited about here at Old Toccoa Farm, including a slew of beautifully designed homes under construction. Currently there are 14 new builds underway and 30+ in design review. We are thrilled and excited for our new homeowners!
Clay to Custom is now well into the framing stage on this new custom home here at Old Toccoa Farm. This beautiful, single-level floor plan will soon be a full-time home for the owners.
Happy National Dress Up Your Pet Day!
We love our pets. Show us the cutest photo of your 'fur babies' dressed up!
We are honored to make @linksmagazine's list “10 Must-Visit Public Golf Destinations for 2022”.
Be sure to check out the link in our bio to read the article!
This new home, designed by #Solatect-Design and constructed by #Beardslee Custom Homes, sits alongside hole #2, offering 180 degree views of the distant Cohutta Mountains. It’s exciting to watch this home coming to life.
Go Dawgs. National Champions. So great!
Today is "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day". Old Toccoa Farm would like to take this opportunity to thank all officers of the Blue Ridge and Mc Caysville Police Departments and our Fannin County Sheriff, Deputies and Officers, for their tireless dedication to protecting and serving the citizens of Fannin County. We are especially grateful for all they have done and continue to do for Old Toccoa Farm.
Please take time to show your appreciation to our local law enforcement officers for their selfless service - today and everyday!
How are you enjoying the first snowfall of 2022?
Happy New Year! 🎉
We are so grateful for such a great year!
Everyone in Blue Ridge be safe. Bring outside pets inside. Cant be too careful.
Who misses the snow from last year? ❄️
Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄
We hope you are having a great time with your families!
Good Morning! ☀️
Who is excited for Christmas this Saturday? 🎄
We are excited to announce our employee of the month for January is Chris Walden!
Chris is the manager of the shop at Old Toccoa Farm, and the head mechanic. His assistant helps him keep everything running. Chris is responsible for keeping the fleet of golf carts, and all machines used to maintain the golf course, in A1 shape. He said, “You can use all the fertilizer you want, but if your machines aren’t in top shape, it won’t look good.” Satisfaction in making a machine perform at the highest level possible is what keeps Chris happy in his work. Chris also spent 12 years as a logger as well. He worked for a company that cleared the initial 10 acres of OTF property, before it was OTF.
Chris lives in Blue Ridge with his wife Amanda (Tipton) and their two children. Addison is 14 and Cassidy is 12. They enjoy being at home, bowling, and going for jeep rides in their Rubicon. He grew up in Mineral Bluff and spent his childhood playing outside and following his dad around. He learned how to tear things apart (sometimes not a good thing) and put them back together by watching his dad do that. His dad’s 40-year career as a mechanic was with Mason Tractor Company in Blue Ridge.
When asked about his proudest moment at Old Toccoa Farm, Chris said it wasn’t really about Old Toccoa Farm, but it happened on the property. More than 20 years ago, he proposed to his wife on what is now Hole 4 under an old power line that is no longer there. He is happily reminded of that day every time he comes in to work. As a logger he worked on the property, as a young man he proposed to his wife on the property, so it is fitting that he spends his days there, keeping everything running in A1 shape. He is proud of his work and tries to impart that on others at OTF. He said, “take pride in your work and always do your best."
Jack and Linda Dredla have done an amazing job reclaiming our walking trails and building new trails. It’s another great amenity to have here on property, be sure to check them out soon and enjoy the quiet therapy of a walk here at Old Toccoa Farm.
Our Hillside Cottages are coming along nicely! 🏡
We can’t wait to welcome our new neighbors. 😊
Check out the progress on the Tavern & Golf Shop! 👍
Good Morning!☀️
It’s hard to top a beautiful sunrise.
What's your favorite thing to do on property or in the area?
⛳️ Playing a round of golf
🥾 Going for a walk/hike
🚣🏼♀️ Kayaking or Paddleboarding
🎣 Fly fishing
🧘♀️ Yoga by the river
🤔 Or something else?
It’s hard to beat our views 🥰
Planning to do anything fun or relaxing this weekend?
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
We hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends. We are very thankful for our members and our public playing guests.
Planning to play any this week? ⛳️
Thanksgiving Schedule:
Wednesday, November 24th - Golf Shop will close at 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 25th - Golf Course closed for Thanksgiving