Peter Ueberroth Q&A
It is almost easy to forget the depth of PETER UEBERROTH’S worldwide involvement since each endeavor seems to get bigger.
His leadership during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the fi rst privately fi nanced games, resulted in a surplus of a quarter billion dollars mak- ing him Time magazine’s choice for “Man of the Year.” Next up was his role as Major League Base- ball Commissioner (1984-89) followed by a period as chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Not one to rest on his laurels, Ueberroth also
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I worry about our society becoming too sedentary. I carry my bag when I play golf. I carry a light bag, but I still carry it to be active.”
How would you describe your golf game? Mediocre with an occasional fl ash of brilliance. I’m a water polo player—not a golfer. •••
Any nerves on the fi rst tee? Not unless there’s a crowd. At the AT&T, when they announce you and you hit after your pro who has knocked it 290 yards down the middle, that one takes you back. But generally no, I don’t worry about the fi rst tee. •••
Who comprises your dream four- some? My daughter Heidi (presi-
lead a group to purchase Pebble Beach from its Japanese owners in 1999, making the San Jose State graduate owner and co-chairman. Calling Pebble Beach “God’s best real estate,” the father of four seemingly has the same appreciation for the course now as he did during his fi rst trip to the Monterey Peninsula. Once a surfi ng extra on a TV show (Hawaiian Eye) and world-class water polo player, the Laguna Beach resident still keeps active with other outdoor activities such as spear fi shing while running the in- vestment and management fi rm Contrarian Group. Soft-spoken but engaging, the 74-year-old re- cently sat down to discuss his life in the spotlight. –Hilary Heieck
dent of NBA International), Dick Ferris, my partner in the Pebble Beach endeavor and Pat Cowell, a member at Cypress Point and a good friend. •••
Do you think the golf course is a good place to make business deals? I don’t think so because golf is totally consuming. But you really fi nd out about people on the course. Golf enhances the ability to market and recruit; all the things you should be doing, but not during the round. •••
What motivated you to lead the group of owners in purchasing Pebble Beach? Most companies make acquisitions around the world and then they have an exit strategy. I knew that the Japanese owners, who were such good cus- todians of the land, really did not want that to happen. We were thrilled with the
opportunity to acquire Pebble Beach—6,000 acres, 17-Mile Drive, the four golf courses and the home of golf in America— and be able to preserve it so that generations 100 years from now
FALL 2011 /
NCGA.ORG / 41
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