It’s hard to hate golf and own a golf course. Finch Golf Club owner Jimmy Tilton inherited the club from his dad, and Jimmy hated it.
Jimmy was a restaurateur at heart—and yes, he referred to himself as a restaurateur. He was happy to take over the dining area, the clubhouse and even the pro shop, but he hated going out on the golf course.
Jimmy spent his childhood mowing the grass, moving the hole locations and fishing random things from the ponds. He knew every inch of the 18-hole course, and he despised it.
Jimmy spent his days dealing with all the problems that come from people driving around in carts and hitting tiny balls with expensive clubs. Worse, the golf course’s trust wouldn’t let him sell or redevelop the property into anything other than a golf course.
Magic struck one day when Jimmy was hiding in his office and staring out the window. Outside, on the main road, he noticed two construction workers installing a sign. Jimmy hurried out to talk to them.
The construction workers were putting up a blue sign that said, “Adopt a road, Boris Funeral Services.”
Jimmy looked at the sign for a long time, so long that the construction workers felt uncomfortable and decided to get back to work. Finally, Jimmy spoke to the two workers. “What if you could adopt a golf hole?”
Jimmy turned to run inside. He didn’t stop and speak to his wife. He ignored one of the golf pros and quickly looked up a phone number. He could see it now—18 holes, 18 different people adopting them. As long as they cut the grass and maintained their hole, he didn’t much care what they did with the space.
“Hello, Boris Funeral Services,” a man answered on the first ring, “Director Parker Walsh speaking.”
“This is Jimmy Tilton down at the Finch Golf Club.”
“Ah, Jimmy, we just adopted the road in front of your course.”
“Yes, I saw. I was curious. How would you feel about adopting a golf hole?”
There was a long pause before Parker responded, “Do you know how many of our clients wish they could be buried on your golf course?”
“Why don’t you come out and look at Hole 10?”
Finch Golf Club is Part of a series, which can be found here