Nike Golf sponsors Victory Golf events, setting up mobile pro shops. (Photos courtesy of Josh McKim)
Josh McKim has spent most of his life on golf courses, and now the VCU graduate is turning his passion for the sport into his own business.
McKim in December launched Victory Golf & Events, a local startup that organizes golf tournaments for corporations and nonprofits. The company handles such logistics as contract negotiations, catering and tee times.
“There’s a pretty steep learning curve if you’ve never planned a tournament before,” said McKim, 24, a certified PGA professional. “It can be a big headache. So our job is to make it easier on everyone.”
McKim said his work starts months before anyone actually hits a ball. The company finds a location, selects vendors and markets the tournaments to about 3,800 Richmond golfers.
On the day of the event, McKim said he’s there to handle all the moving parts.
Josh McKim
“You have caterers, golfers coming in, golfers teeing off, signs to hang,” McKim said. “I’ve heard my mentor compare it to washing a cat.”
Victory Golf charges a $2,500 management fee to organize a corporate golf event. McKim said he waives the fee for nonprofits.
Victory Golf has 18 events planned for its 2013 season, two shy of McKim’s goal. They’ll take place at the Club at Viniterra in New Kent and the Dogwood Trace Golf Club in Petersburg. Both of the courses, along with Nike Golf and barbecue restaurant the Flyin’ Pig, sponsor the company, which gets a percentage of the sponsorship dollars.
Local businesses that have signed on to host tournaments include restaurants Cha Cha’s, Lucky Buddha and the Local. The company also has several events planned to benefit nonprofits, including the Wounded Warriors Project and the Center for Human-Animal Interaction.
A charity tournament in its first year usually brings in between $800 and $2,000, McKim said. That number can increase as word spreads about the event from year to year.
“It’s important not to have unreasonable expectations,” McKim said. “There’s a lot of buzz around charity tournaments that can bring in $80,000 to $100,000. But if you break even the first time you host one, that’s a success.”
McKim said he’s invested about $8,000 in the startup. He’s planning to move into an office in the Fan, where he plans to create an indoor space to teach lessons.
“I want it to be a golf spot in Richmond,” McKim said. “If you’re in the Fan, you can come by and hit a few balls.”
McKim is no stranger to the fairway. He’s worked in country clubs since he was 13, teaching lessons and organizing more than 500 events over the course of his career.
After completing a two-year work-study program, he received his PGA Professional certification.
“The PGA is the number one most recognized, respected symbol in golf,” McKim said. “It really sets us apart from any other event planning business.”
Nike Golf sponsors Victory Golf events, setting up mobile pro shops. (Photos courtesy of Josh McKim)
Josh McKim has spent most of his life on golf courses, and now the VCU graduate is turning his passion for the sport into his own business.
McKim in December launched Victory Golf & Events, a local startup that organizes golf tournaments for corporations and nonprofits. The company handles such logistics as contract negotiations, catering and tee times.
“There’s a pretty steep learning curve if you’ve never planned a tournament before,” said McKim, 24, a certified PGA professional. “It can be a big headache. So our job is to make it easier on everyone.”
McKim said his work starts months before anyone actually hits a ball. The company finds a location, selects vendors and markets the tournaments to about 3,800 Richmond golfers.
On the day of the event, McKim said he’s there to handle all the moving parts.
Josh McKim
“You have caterers, golfers coming in, golfers teeing off, signs to hang,” McKim said. “I’ve heard my mentor compare it to washing a cat.”
Victory Golf charges a $2,500 management fee to organize a corporate golf event. McKim said he waives the fee for nonprofits.
Victory Golf has 18 events planned for its 2013 season, two shy of McKim’s goal. They’ll take place at the Club at Viniterra in New Kent and the Dogwood Trace Golf Club in Petersburg. Both of the courses, along with Nike Golf and barbecue restaurant the Flyin’ Pig, sponsor the company, which gets a percentage of the sponsorship dollars.
Local businesses that have signed on to host tournaments include restaurants Cha Cha’s, Lucky Buddha and the Local. The company also has several events planned to benefit nonprofits, including the Wounded Warriors Project and the Center for Human-Animal Interaction.
A charity tournament in its first year usually brings in between $800 and $2,000, McKim said. That number can increase as word spreads about the event from year to year.
“It’s important not to have unreasonable expectations,” McKim said. “There’s a lot of buzz around charity tournaments that can bring in $80,000 to $100,000. But if you break even the first time you host one, that’s a success.”
McKim said he’s invested about $8,000 in the startup. He’s planning to move into an office in the Fan, where he plans to create an indoor space to teach lessons.
“I want it to be a golf spot in Richmond,” McKim said. “If you’re in the Fan, you can come by and hit a few balls.”
McKim is no stranger to the fairway. He’s worked in country clubs since he was 13, teaching lessons and organizing more than 500 events over the course of his career.
After completing a two-year work-study program, he received his PGA Professional certification.
“The PGA is the number one most recognized, respected symbol in golf,” McKim said. “It really sets us apart from any other event planning business.”
What an excellent idea. I hope it gains traction and turns into a profitable business.