Here’s how an empty can of Campbell’s soup launched the career of a professional golfer and his own national TV golf show. Jimmy Hanlin started his drive to become a pro golfer as a kid in his Ohio backyard and now he’s a unique entrepreneur, plus he’s host of ‘18 Holes’ with LPGA star Natalie Gulbis. Their show is available in 80 million homes. Oh, this is a good story!
THE BACKYARD SOUP CAN CHALLENGE
Long before Hanlin refined his professional golf career by living and golfing professionally in golf meccas like Pinehurst, North Carolina, he cooked up a backyard idea at just 5-years-old. “We asked my friends’ older brother to lower the mover for our greens in the back yard and our cups were Campbells Soup cans,” Hanlin said, and that’s he got hooked on golf.
ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS, STEEL TOWN AND GREAT PIZZA
Long before Hanlin spent five successful years competing on several national professional tours, he grew up in Steubenville, Ohio, a blue collar town on the West Virginia border. “My parents worked hard. My dad in the steel mills and my mom was director of four nursing homes,” Hanlin said. “Steubenville and the Ohio Valley are not only about the mighty Ohio River, the hilly geography of the western Allegheny Mountains, or even the great pizza,” Hanlin added with a smile in his voice. “People there really are some of the best people in the world,” he said.
HIT SHOW WITH LPGA STAR NATALIE GULBIS AND 80 MILLION HOMES
Gulbis not only won on the LPGA, she was a top 10 golfer into the mid 2010s, but she also helped change the course of golf. She became one of the most marketable athletes on the LPGA. She brought new fans to the game and promoted fitness.“Natalie is a generational talent,” Hanlin said of his friend and co-host of ‘18 Holes’ Natalie Gulbis. Their show is now available in 80 million homes. “Our sponsors love her, fans love her and in the 12 years we’ve worked together I’ve never once seen her avoid a fan, not give an autograph or not take a picture with fans.”
A COURSE WITH A VIEW AND THE GREAT LAKES
Hanlin started and owns some of the most scenic and challenging golf courses in Ohio, including a gem of a champion course ‘Little Mountain Country Club’ in Concord, Ohio. One of its tallest hills is the 17th tee which offers a scenic view of one of the gorgeous Great Lakes, Lake Erie. Hanlin has come a long since his early days mowing grass at Springs Hills Golf Course in Steubenville.
GOLFING WITH THE STARS
Even before Hanlin became the likable celebrity he is, his engaging ways and golf knowledge lead him to golf with the biggest names in sports like MLB stars Justin Verlander, Mike Trout and the legendary Sandy Koufax. NFL stars like Jim Brown, Marcus Allen, Doug Flutie and of course, golf superstars. “The superstars of golf who treated me the best include Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Phil Michelson.”
‘MY FAVORITE PLACE ON EARTH’
“I studied Golf Management at Methodist College in Fayetteville, North Carolina, then I got my first Assistant Professional opportunity in Pinehurst at Seven Lakes Country Club,” Hanlin said. I lived in Pinehurst for 10 years where I played professionally and traveled from there. Pinehurst is my favorite place on earth and I made lifelong friends there. There are so many great golf courses, restaurants, and the incredible Pinehurst Resort is the anchor of it all,” he added.
PHILOSOPHY FOR THE ‘ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY’
“My advice for the golf industry is to understand that this is the entertainment industry,’ Hanlin believes. “People are paying to come to our facilities to enjoy their day. The minute your golf guests step onto your property, it’s the owners and every staff member who you work with to make sure they enjoy the experience. It’s that simple.”
AUGMENTED GOLF, 3-D GOLF AND NEXT LEVEL PAR 3
Hanlin owns his own TV production company named, ‘Tee It Up Productions.’ His future plans include opening a creatively fun and unique par 3 course in Westlake, Ohio. A golfer familiar with plans calls it “Next level fun,” and says golfers of all ages are going to “Absolutely love this concept.” But wait, there’s more. He just opened ‘18 Lab’ with his friend Steve Pacino in Westlake, which offers augmented reality golf, 3-D golf analysis, Trackman simulator bays and PGA instruction. “When you walk in it looks like an Apple Store of golf. It’s extremely modern and the technology is the best,” Hanlin said proudly.
NUMBER ONE PRIORITY INCLUDES PALMER, HOGAN AND JAKE
“I’ll continue to spend time with and raise our three sons Palmer, Hogan and Jake with my wife Ashley.” And yes, you saw that right. Hanlin loves golf so much that he named two of children after legends of the game.
CHICKEN NOODLE OR TOMATO?
Now, for the burning question, back to that summer of the Campbell’s soup can game. Was it chicken noodle or tomato soup? And, the Hanlin answer is…“tomato!” Jimmy added, “I still have a can of Campbell’s tomato soup at least once a week, but it has to be with grilled cheese,” he added. Now, that’s a tradition like no other.
Paul Kiska
Paul Kiska is a longtime TV sports and news reporter, who now writes freelance articles locally in his hometown of Cleveland, and for national publications. He is also a husband, father, and his golf goal is to break 80 from the tips, but he quit playing the tips years ago.