S E44: They Bought an ABANDONED Golf Course for $200K

S E44: They Bought an ABANDONED Golf Course for $200K

Author: Big Swing Media August 26, 2026 Duration: 47:03
Tye Nichols and his family paid $200,000 for 44 acres and an abandoned nine-hole golf course in Chesterville, Maine—with no experience in agronomy, course design or restoration. A year later, Fairway Fields has a working, tech-enabled driving range, support from major golf brands and more than one million followers watching the transformation.Tye joins Jimmy Roberts to explain how his marketing experience at Origin USA and Jocko Fuel helped turn a risky family project into an audience-building case study. He shares the strategy behind opening the driving range first, the mistakes that cost them time and money, and why documenting every step changed the trajectory of the business.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why Tye and his parents bought a course that had been abandoned for more than a decadeHow eight covered Inrange bays became Fairway Fields’ first revenue engineHow John Deere, TaylorMade, Trimax and Takomo became involvedThe $3,000 mistake Tye now considers a “tuition payment”How Fairway Fields grew to more than one million followers across platforms in under a yearAlso in this episode, Seminole Golf Club head professional Matt Cahill takes Jimmy Inside the Shop to discuss what he learned from Bob Ford, the business behind one of golf’s most prestigious shops and the challenge of modernizing a historic club without changing its character.Plus, Powering the Women’s Game presented by Chevron examines the growing commercial opportunity surrounding the Solheim Cup, and The Office star Brian Baumgartner shares his Big Swing Moment. Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday Watch on YouTube | Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by sixteen-time Emmy winner and broadcasting legend Jimmy Roberts, The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts goes far beyond the fairway. This isn't just another sports interview series; it's a deep exploration of the powerful forces and fascinating personalities driving the modern golf industry. Each episode features an intimate, one-on-one conversation with the executives, celebrities, and elite athletes who are actively shaping the game's future, from groundbreaking deals and major investments to the cultural trends redefining the sport. You'll hear candid stories and gain unparalleled access to the boardrooms and backstories behind the headlines. Presented by Big Swing Media, this podcast delivers a unique blend of sports, business, and insider perspective, offering listeners a sophisticated look at where the game is headed next. Tune in for thoughtful dialogues that reveal the strategy and passion fueling golf's biggest swings, both on and off the course.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 46

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts
Podcast Episodes
S E37: How Stanford Built a Women’s Golf Powerhouse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:58
Stanford women’s golf has become one of the most dominant programs in college golf — but Anne Walker’s approach goes far beyond swing mechanics.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with St…
S E36: Tiger Woods’ Former Agent Finally Tells the Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
Before Tiger Woods became a global business empire, Hughes Norton was helping build the foundation.In this episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Jimmy sits down with Hughes Norton — the legendary former IMG agent…
S E35: Golf’s Money Problem Is Finally Out in the Open [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:44
Golf is booming — but the business behind the game has never been more complicated.In this special live episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, recorded ahead of the U.S. Open, Jimmy sits down for two separate conve…
S E34: McLaren's Bold Bet on Golf with Hoyt McGarity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:49
Why would one of the most iconic brands in motorsports decide to enter one of the most competitive industries in sports?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Hoyt McGarity, President of 8AM Golf…
S E33: Arthur Blank Bet on Himself... and Won [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:42
How do you go from getting fired to building one of the most successful companies in American history?In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Arthur Blank, the billionaire entrepreneur, philanthrop…
S E30: Paige Spiranac on Fame, Hate & Building a Golf Empire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:19
Paige Spiranac became one of the most influential people in golf — but not without controversy, criticism, and constant public scrutiny.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with Paige Spiranac for a…
S E29: How AI is Changing Golf Forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:17
AI is changing golf faster than almost anyone realizes.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with members of the Big Swing Media team to break down the biggest trends shaping the future of the game —…
S E28: Jack Nicklaus Walked Away From Millions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
Jack Nicklaus turned down millions, and he’s completely at peace with it.In this episode of The Big Swing, Jimmy Roberts sits down with golf legend Jack Nicklaus to explore the business side of one of the greatest career…