Selling celebrities has always been big business in America. However, more and more celebrities are starting their own enterprises instead of just endorsing existing ones. This article touches on one enterprise for agents of individuals looking to start their own enterprise: Golf course management.
Some of you probably are thinking “Really? Golf course management?” But now is as good a time for an entertainer to invest in golf as any. With Tiger Woods increasing the popularity of golf, especially among African Americans, owning a golf course is not a bad idea if you are a celebrity looking to create an enterprise of your own. For example, the number of golfers increased 33% from 1986-1997. Now, over 26 million Americans play golf every year. Overall, golfers are paying more to golf as well, with over $15 billion being paid for greens fees and equipment. The number of golf courses being constructed is also increasing.
Joining entertainers and golf is not a foreign concept either. Many celebrities and entertainers can be found hitting the links in their spare time, from Bill Murray to Sir Charles. There are numerous celebrity tournaments throughout the year. Also, a number of entertainers already have started their own courses. The list includes Julius Erving, Willie Nelson and Celine Dion.
Recently, Justin Timberlake joined the list when he opened his new environmentally friendly golf course, Mirimichi, just north of Memphis on July 25th. Justin combined his love of golf with his love of the environment. The environmentally friendly golf course is the first to receive the Audubon Classic Sanctuary certification from Audubon International. Timberlake purchased the course where he learned to play and invested $16 million worth of renovations. The course boasts irrigation and drainage systems that reuse and maximize the use of rainwater; native grass areas and waste bunkers reduce the amount of property that must be maintained; more lake areas and recirculating streams support wildlife; and, instead of equipment sheds, a “Natural Resource Management Center” has a biodegradable treatment of rinse water. The course is also working on developing electric golf carts powered by solar energy. Even the food and beverage products are made from recyclable material. To check out the course, go to www.mirimichi.com.
The environmentally friendly course brings up one other point to note. With today’s society being very environmentally conscious, make sure your client is aware of the impact their course could have on the environment. Opening a golf course could actually hurt your client’s image if the proper steps are not taken to ensure any negative impact on the environment is minimal. If your client is looking to invest in a golf course, following Timberlake’s model might not be a bad idea. Just ask Clint Eastwood.
Eastwood also recently tried to open a course in coastal California. The problem was that his course was to run straight through an area of protected forest on the Monterey Peninsula. His proposal would have also required cutting down 18,000 trees, including 15,000 Monterey Pines, a local signature species. In rejecting his proposal, the California Coastal Commission also stated the course would have required filling in wetlands and altering the coastline.
While I certainly don’t expect Eastwood to lose any celebrity status from his attempt, it certainly doesn’t help his image. And if the Commission actually ok’d the course, who knows what reaction he might have gotten.
Therefore, if you have a client with a lot of capital to invest and are looking to expand your client’s image or help them have something to fall back on once they entertaining, why not choose golf?
However, don’t forget to consider the environmental aspects of such an option. Just because your client is an entertainer with a well known name with lots of money, does not mean your client gets to plow through wetlands and destroy the environment. Don’t believe me, just ask Eastwood.