The Remarkable Passion & Myriad Talents of Justin Timberlake

An awesome illustration for Mirimichi's Cool Player's Club

For the first time ever... in history... an iconic golf brand has appointed a noted actor slash grammy-award-winning performer slash former Mouseketeer... as its creative director. By the way, the multi-faceted appointee has also been named "Most Stylish Man" AND "Sexiest Man" by GQ and Cosmopolitain magazines, respectively.

 However I think we can assume it's Justin Timberlake's extraordinary passion for golf got him the gig with Callaway, and I don't imagine there were many golf industry insiders who didn't quickly see the wisdom brilliance of the appointment when it was announced yesterday.

Here at Golf Girl's Diary we first wrote about Justin Timberlake... and golf... over five years ago. At that point he was merely the "Sexy Back" singer with a great golf swing. During the ensuing years his "thing for golf" only got stronger. We saw him play Carnoustie...and tee off in Abu Dahbi. On Madonna's 50th birthday we saw him gift her with golf lessons. 2008 however, was the year JT really made his mark on golf. His relationship with Callaway took off when he signed an agreement to play the Company’s equipment and carry a Callaway branded golf bag. He sponsored a major tournament for the first time and appeared on the cover of Golf Digest magazine.

2008 was also the year Justin Timberlake planed the renovation of the golf course he purchased, the course that would be called Mirimichi.  This is where I feel JT's passion for golf shines most brightly.  When the course he played on as a child was set to be sold to developers Timberlake bought it himself and put $16 million into renovations, transforming it into the most eco-friendly course in America... and one that can serve as a model for a more sustainable type of golf center.

With US golf participation declining... 2011 marked the fifth year rounds are down in this country... golf businesses are actively attempting to distinguish themselves, while the industry itself struggles to reverse the current trend and "grow the game" with new audiences.  Justin Timberlake has what it takes to do both and now may be in a position make it happen.  It's something the game can look forward to in 2012.

Earth Week & Golf That's Good for the Environment

Yesterday marked the start of Earth Week, a time for putting environmental issues into the spotlight and focusing on our collective concern for the planet.  In principal at least.

There's a fairly widespread perception among non-golfers, that golfers, golf course developers and golf course owners consistently disregard environmental concerns for over-irrigation, abundant use of synthetic fertilizers and other environmentally irresponsible practices.


These days however, that perception is wrong is very often wrong.  Courses across the US... and around the world... are implementing innovative water conservation measures and using fewer chemicals.  More and more courses are taking part in environmental protection programs.  Justin Timberlake's Mirimichi golf complex in Millington, TN was the first course in the US to receive official Audubon Classic Sanctuary certification by Audubon International and the first in the Americas to receive certification from the Golf Environmental Organization (GEO). Many others have followed suit, and have found that not only is it more responsible to maintain an environmentally friendly course, it's also more sustainable and less expensive.

The products golfers use are also changing, albiet slowly. Dixon Golf is a company that's made an impact by introducing the world's first 100% eco-friendly golf ball, The Dixon Earth. It's a high performance ball that is completely recyclable. Their website has the details... about the ball and about the many other innovative things the company is doing for the environment. 

I've also discovered  an awesome new environmentally friendly way to get around the golf course. It's called the Linksbike. The concept is from BYOB (bring your own ball?) Eco Golf. Check it out in the video below, and see if you don't think it would make a pretty stellar Earth Day gift. 

Photo: via Mirimichi
Video: via BYOB Eco Golf

Rickie Fowler is Hot, Justin Bieber is Cool

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A few week's ago As you probably heard,  Justin Timberlake gave a unique shout-out to Rickie Fowler at his Shriners Hospitals for Children Open when he declared "Rickie Fowler is like -- I don't know, I think he's cooler than Justin Bieber." 

Well we beg to differ... somewhat... with that assessment.  As far as we're concerned Justin Bieber can keep "cool".  After all he won four awards at last night's AMAs including "Artist of the Year".

Rickie Fowler, on the other hand, is "hot".   With six top-10 finishes in 27 starts he's a leading contender for the PGA Tour's Rookie of the Year honors.  He's also universally regarded as one of the most charismatic players to come along in years decades. 

As if further proof was needed,  yesterday on the chilly fairways of Richter Park we warmed up with "Hot Rickie Fowler" and despite the extreme iciness had one of our best rounds of the season.

OK... as you probably surmised. "Hot Rickie Fowler" is a drink... a perfect one for a cold day on the golf course... show you how to make one in a video later today.  In the meantime, here's an awesome little clip that may appeal to fans of both the golf star and the pop star.

The Thursday Post from Golf Girl World

by Jordan Farr, aka Golf Girl Junior

Hey there GGD Readers!

Once again it’s time for my Thursday post! But I don’t suppose I really need to tell you that as I assume it’s already on your Calenders... right? And, speaking of Calenders, October is a special month for Golf Girl Media. Not only is it my birthday month (a national holiday is in the works), but more importantly, it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As you may know we’re huge fans of Cristie Kerr and her Birdies For Breast Cancer Charity. Quite a few organizations are pitching in throughout October, and donating to Cristie's cause, including the awesome online golf boutique Golf4Her. When you purchase golf clothing and accessories at Golf4Her.com ‘s “Pretty in Pink Webtique,” 10% of the proceeds will go to to Birdies for Breast Cancer.

In the next few days, I will be doing a post about how other golfers and golf businesses are helping raise awareness and funds during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and beyond.

In other Golf Girl Media news, we are now (thanks to me) entering the exciting world of contests and sweepstakes. YAY!!! I know... I’m just as excited as you are! Now you may be asking: “what kind of contest, Jordan? Tell me more!” Well, I can honestly say I don’t really know at this point. And this is where you come in. Can you help me with ideas? What are some golf products you would like to win?

Now as those of you who were listening to “Only Two Things” last night already heard, here’s the weekly question for my pop-culture-golf poll:

Justin Timberlake recently created the awesome Mirimichi golf course near Memphis, TN ...and the golf girl herself played Celine Dion’s golf course just outside of Montreal. So... what celeb would you like to see make their own course? (BTW my personal pick is Catherine Zeta Jones - she’s stylish, talented and passionate about golf).

Just leave your responses in comments or shoot me an email at: jordan@golfgirlmedia.com
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