Page 90 - South Mississippi Living - January, 2016

SPORTS & OUTDOORS smooth landing
ON COURSE McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner, Best Buy’s CEO Brian Dunn and Harley-
Davidson President Jim
Ziemer have something in common with Kenny Hughes. They
all started in the cart barn of their respective businesses and worked their way to the top. Longtime Coast resident Kenny Hughes started as an assistant golf professional at Hickory Hill, and now he’s the CEO of the company that owns the Gautier gem and Shell Landing Golf Club, one of Golf Digest’s Best New Courses of 2002.
Hughes has left his cleat marks across the Gulf Coast, having worked for 20 years at the two courses he
and Kenny Smith, Arlin Mallette and Michael Fondren have owned since September 2012. The Biloxian grew
up playing Sunkist Country Club, but after playing golf at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (1981-82), Nebraska and USM (1987), he went to work for Mickey Bradley at Hickory Hill, hoping to learn everything about the golf business.
After an apprenticeship under Bradley, the PGA of America made Hughes a member in 1992, and the MGCCC Hall of Fame member never looked back. After five years as assistant to Bradley at Hickory Hill, Hughes became the head professional at the Broadwater Sun Course, later earning the title director of golf.
Retired PGA Tour Rules Official Mickey Bradley knew Hughes would be successful. “He wanted to learn everything about the golf business, from the cart barn to merchandising,” remembers Bradley. “I called him Chip-Stock.”
Whether he’s in the golf shop at
the Davis Love, III-designed Shell Landing Golf Club, on the practice tee giving lessons, behind the bar serving a beverage or on the course checking hole and tee locations, Hughes orchestrates a better golf experience.
FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE
From Assistant to CEO/Owner, Hughes takes Shell Landing to the top
story by Tommy Snell photos by John Stricklin
90 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • January 2016