Arnold Palmer is often credited with being the first golf
professional flying to tournaments in his own plane. However, it was Johnny Bulla and a few golf
pros who bought a war surplus C-47 to fly himself and fellow golfers to
tournaments in the late 40’s. One of the first time shares?! This year at the Masters tournament the ramps
will be filled with fractional aircraft dropping off golfers and fans as well
as many personal aircraft. Arnie’s
original single engine Cessna would be dwarfed.
With the invention and popularity of the fractional
ownership/time card models from NetJets, the combined Flight Options/Flexjet brand
, Wheels UP plus several more specialty providers, private aviation is much
more accessible to touring pros. Just
look at the number of these companies logos on golfers hats or shirts. It allows them to travel to more events,
spend time with family and pursue other interests. Plus there are still a handful who have
found, for their missions, owning their own plane is more cost effective.
Some would call it a luxury, others who spent over half of
their life on the road would call it an investment in their personal life. Think of Mickelson flying overnight so he
would not miss his daughters 8th grade graduation.
Private aviation is sometimes criticized for being a toy of
the rich and famous. Whether for the
business of golf or the running of a competitive business, the reality is, if
it did not make people more productive it would not exist. The bottom-line is the increased
accessibility of traveling by private aircraft has made many more of the new
generation of golfers be able to enjoy a career, have a family life and pursue
business opportunities off the course.
The one universal truth is time. It is finite and how efficiently we use it
makes a difference in the journey of life.
How one measures the costs of time and convenience may be subject to
discussion, however no one can argue the benefits.
Mike McCracken
President
Hawkeye Aircraft Acquisitions
Office 727 796 0903
"Jets without Regrets"
