If The Greenbrier owner Jim Justice has his way, he could be the first person in PGA Tour history (we assume) to be both the owner of a tour stop and the governor of the state in which it resides. That's because Justice has thrown his hat in the race for West Virginia governor.
The billionaire, who made most of his fortune through his family's coal-mining business, has switched parties from Republican to Democrat to enter the fray. This is the 64-year-old's first time running for office, becoming the second Democrat, after state senator Jeff Kessler, to join the race. Current Democratic governorĀ Earl Ray Tomblin is prohibited by term-limit statutes from seeking another term.
Justice purchased The Greenbrier in 2009 for $20 million as part of a bankruptcy sale, dropping millions into the world-famous property, including the development of an on-property casino. He also signed a long-term deal with the PGA Tour to create The Greenbrier Classic, played on the resort's Old White course, which is now part of the TPC Network. Justice has also reportedly paid the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson to appear at the event.
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