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Thursday, July 16, 2009

Celebrities Gone Green: Justin Timberlake Opening Truly Green Golf Course

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Is there anything Justin Timberlake can’t do? He made the leap from boy band to solo artist with music career intact (an impressive feat in itself), has his own clothing brand, is an avid golfer, acts in major films, and recently released his own tequila called 901. Now, granted, these endeavors aren’t all green—how about some organic cotton in William Rast clothes or sustainable production for the tequila?—but J.T.’s latest acquisition is going to be very green. It’s a Memphis, Tennessee golf course (the first one he ever played at) that Timberlake picked up for a little under a million dollars and has since spent $16 million dollars renovating. Why were the changes so expensive? Timberlaked wanted to turn the facility into the greenest golf course around, a difficult task considering just how environmentally un-friendly golf courses can be.

The extra-green greens are called Mirimichi Golf Course and they’ve received “Audobon Classic Sanctuary” certification from Audobon International, thanks to elements like irrigation systems that reuse rainwater, natural grasses that don’t require as much maintenance, and more water areas for wildlife. In the near future, Timberlake and his team hope to use electric golf carts that run on solar power (from rooftop panels on the carts) and to offer products that are made of recycled materials, whether they are golf or food and beverage related. When the club house is built in coming months, it will be built to LEED specifications in attempts to receive the LEED platinum rating (which would be a first for a golf course).

If you want to hit the links without having such an impact, head to Mirimichi when it opens on July 25 (although if you want to get a tee time, you’ll likely need to register on the Mirimichi Golf Course site now). Even if you don’t spot J.T. on the course the day you play, you’ll get to enjoy a round of golf that’s significantly greener than your usual game.

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