Justin Timberlake has been a hit as a pop music, TV and movie star, but he’s apparently not ready for City Hall.
Asked by a reporter today if he’d be willing to end Memphis’ political turmoil by running for mayor, Timberlake sputtered and smiled and put forth a different candidate. “I’d be the first to appoint my dad,” he said, referring to stepfather Paul Harless. “His record is way cleaner than mine.”
 Timberlake may not have political ambitions, but the 28-year-old former Millington resident and “SexyBack” singer was happy to be described as “an ambassador and a champion for the city of Memphis” as he introduced his new eco-friendly, state-of-the-art Mirimichi golf course to the media this morning. The par-72 course at 6195 Woodstock Cuba Rd. in Millington opens for public play Saturday.
“Mirimichi” reportedly is a Native American term for “place of happy retreat,” and today’s lovefest of a hometown press conference – which took place just north of the 18th green, on a handsome wooden deck where an outdoor bar and fireplace will be built – must have had a “Mirimichi” vibe for Timberlake. He’s used to dealing with invasive paparazzi and entertainment journalists more interested in his “(Expletive) in a Box” than his holes-in-one.
“I think this is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever been a part of in my life,” Timberlake said of Mirimichi.
Timberlake invested some $16 million in the course, which was the first in the country to be certified as a “classic sanctuary” by Audubon International, in recognition of the course’s “environmentally sustainable” design, which is intended to make it as friendly for wildlife and native plants as for golfers.
Only about 85 of the facility’s 200 acres are “mowable” turf; the rest has been given over to “native grasses,” according to Rich Peterson, Mirmichi general manager.
Said Timberlake: “I was able to pose the question, is it possible for a golf course to actually be ‘green’?”
Asked if Timberlake had done much “hands-on” work at Mirimichi, Randy Wilson – designer of the course, with Mike MacElhose – said: “The deal was, if he taught us how to dance, we would teach him how to run a bulldozer.”
Originally “beanfield farmland,” according to Mirimichi director of golf Greg King, the area has a lot of history for the Timberlake family. Paul and Lynn Harless (Timberlake’s mother) held their wedding reception at the Woodstock Hills Country Club that once occupied the site. Timberlake added: “Right there on the 10th tee is where I hit my first golf ball ever, when it was Big Creek.”
Paul Harless – a partner in the course with his wife and Timberlake – said Mirmichi is more than just another golf course. Thanks to Timberlake’s involvement and its eco-friendly design, it is expected to attract “national tourists” to Memphis, he said, and to “promote and contribute to the economic growth of Memphis.”
In recognition of this desire, Mayor Willie Herenton issued a proclamation declaring July 24 “Paul Harless Day” in Memphis. Special assistant Pete Aviotti, who attended today’s event to represent Herenton, said the declaration was historic because it would be Herenton’s last such proclamation.
Timberlake – dressed in conservative golf attire, including black slacks and a white shirt with black trim – said it wasn’t hard to decide to build a course in Millington rather than, say, Los Angeles.
“I could care less about celebrity,” he said. “This is where I grew up, and this is home … and it always will be for me. Any time you can give back to that and get 18 holes in, it’s a win-win.”
Said Lynn Harless: “We are so proud of Mirimichi and what we’ve created here. I was just equating it to birthing a new baby.”
Added Timberlake: “I’d like to say that I know nothing about birthing babies. That should cover the press for about two weeks, all over the world.”

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