By Anthony L. Williams, MG, CGCS, CGM
Turf Pirate's Journal ( Heroes and Legends )
James Thomason AKA The Mountain Man Welcome to the literary emerald
I was not surprised he did so well. These are all pretty well
coast Turf Pirates as we enjoy
known facts. A couple of very
the Summer heat and soak
Turf Pirate actions that are
up the sun let’s take a look at
not as well know is that James
another legendary Turf Pirate. I
is also a pastor, an A+ Santa
first crossed paths with James
Claus, helps folks that need it
Thomason in 1995. He was my
very quietly and when I was
right hand and first mate (AGCS)
selling fertilizer during my
at Renaissance PineIsle Resort
second retirement James just
and Golf Club on Lake Lanier
called me to confirm what I
in Northern Georgia. James is
was doing and said, “Just send
a veteran (US Army) and back
me a pallet of whatever you
then he ran a very tight ship and
think I could use, I just want
colorful characters and language
to support you”. James and
were quite abundant as we
Dina also showed up in Dallas
carved a crew out of seasoned
(roughly 1,000 miles away from
drift wood. Now James and I
Talking Rock) on the beard oil
had a lot of lakeside adventures
tour during my first week at TPC
that involved turf, trees, flowers, drunken shenanigans, plain old
Anthony Williams and The Mountain Man
shenanigans and we raising the standards of work and play on a daily basis. James went on to serve many years as the Superintendent and Head Greenkeeper at Bent Tree Country Club in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains. James is a jack of all trades and most of all an entrepreneur. He sees opportunities where most folks see dead ends. In that light James is perhaps best known as the Mountain Man (and sometimes Mountain Ninja) founder of Mountain Man Beard Products in Talking Rock, Georgia. You see when James stepped out of the Superintendent world and into more landscape and construction he started growing a major beard and could not find beard products to his 54
liking so he created his own. Then he
Four Seasons Dallas and we had a great night telling tales, eating Texas BBQ and planning the
and his amazing sister Dina (also a
future. You see Turf Pirates understand
Turf Pirate) hit the road going to shows
that we are actually growing people
and events across the country selling
and relationships through turf and
Mountain Man Beard Products (Beard
that when times get tough or changes
oils and such) and the line of products
are eminent, turf people support each
and services are ever expanding
other and when the dust settles true
(CBD oils, trucking, Sasquatch Hunts
Turf Pirates find a way to take care
etc.). The famous beards from ZZ
of business, even if it means starting
Top are some of his clients.
a new venture. James is an original
If you YouTube search the Mountain
Harley riding, grass growing, beard
Man and his companies, you will
oil selling, never met a stranger doer
find some amazing videos. These
of deeds and I am honored to have
videos gave way to the Mountain Man
served with him and call him my
becoming a reality TV star (Season
friend. Raise your glasses Turf Pirates
Two of Fox’s Home Free) hanging out
to the square pegs that write their own
with Tim Tebow and Mike Holmes, the
stories with no regrets, here’s to our
Mountain Man was the runner up but
next adventure Mountain Man! Golf Central • Volume 23, Issue 4
