Timberlake's $16 Million Course to Open in Memphis

Believe it or not, there are golf courses going into business these days. One of them is Mirimichi, a public course set to open -- or re-open, actually -- next week near Memphis.

The course is the dream of pop star Justin Timberlake, who happens to be a Memphis native. Plans were to close Mirimichi in late 2007 and turn it into a housing development. But Timberlake -- a passionate golfer who has played in two Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge events and is the celebrity host of the PGA Tour's annual tournament in Las Vegas -- stepped in and bought the facility. Then, according to this story in the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, he spent $16 million to renovate it.

The new Mirimichi sounds impressive: 7,400 yards from the tips, 80 bunkers, six lakes, two creeks, four waterfalls (Donald Trump will be jealous), an 18-hole putting course, a par-35 executive course (scheduled to open in October), a caddie program, and certification from the Audubon Classic Sanctuary Program. Reasonable green fees as well: $59 Monday through Thursday, $71 Friday through Sunday.

Mirimichi director of golf Greg King told the Commercial-Appeal, "The course is really going to be a world-class experience."

--G.R.