Community

Friends mix business

A man calls his pals in England and before long they've set up shop.

By KELLIE DIXON, Times Staff Writer
Published October 31, 2007

John Rowley, who once played semipro soccer, now puts the focus on golf. He and his partners opened Golf USA in June in Trinity.
	[David Degner | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Kellie Dixon | Times] While setting up a store in Ellenton, Dave Joyce, left, and Brad Hawley take out time to putt on their store's green.

A new business opportunity was the initial selling point. But the warmer weather and better tee times helped persuade Brad Hawley and John Rowley to join fellow Englishman Dave Joyce in Florida.

Joyce, who retired from working in car insurance in England in the late 90s, envisioned a new career that coincided with one of his favorite pastimes. So he sought a Golf USA franchise.

It didn't take much to persuade his comrades to join him in Florida.

Hawley came over last November to have a look around. The minute he returned home, he retired from his post as a police officer.

"I wasn't looking for a career change but the opportunity was too good to miss, really," he said.

Rowley, who had played semipro soccer with Joyce, echoed those sentiments. The quality of life, he said, was better for his family here.

The partners opened a store in June in Trinity, undeterred by the competition that includes the worldwide Internet marketplace and some nearby golf megastores.

Their only complaint so far is they're working too many hours at the store. Hawley, an 8 handicapper who played three times a week in England, said he spends more time in the store's swing area and putting green than on the courses.

Hawley can remember waiting two years to join Ingestre Park. In England, where most of the courses are private, there often are wait lists to join.

"They keep the membership numbers limited so everybody can play at respectable times," Hawley said.

That's not necessary here, where public, semiprivate and public courses abound. Getting a tee time isn't really the issue anymore. It's finding time to play.

That also has been the case for Joyce and Rowley, who first met playing what they call "proper football" as teenagers in England. Rowley, a midfielder, jokes that Joyce was one of the glory boys. Joyce, a center forward, netted many of the goals that Rowley sent his way. "Whenever the finishing was required, that's where I would be," Joyce said. "It's a little different now."

Now the focus is on golf and getting settled in a new country. The group shows plenty of energy and optimism. With the Trinity store up and running, they're set to open another in Ellenton, near Bradenton.

TRIO TRIVIA

David Joyce

Age: 47

Hometown: Wednesbury, England

Former job: Car insurance business. His job was to quote rates among the 70 or so different insurance companies his business carried.

His connection: Joyce got the ball rolling by investigating franchise opportunities within Golf USA. He already owned a house in Florida in 1999 so after he sold his business in England, he decided to move over here.

Brad Hawley

Age: 38

Hometown: Walsall, England

Former job: Police officer

His connection: Hawley's wife worked for Joyce in England. He started playing golf with Joyce and the friendship grew from there.

John Rowley

Age: 43

Hometown: Wolverhampton, England

Former job: Worked in the car insurance business with Joyce.

His connection: Rowley worked with and played soccer with Joyce. Rowley was a midfielder, while Joyce was a center forward.

[Last modified October 30, 2007, 21:26:13]