In the “Pole Position” of Luxury
OUTSIDE BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA: Pursell Farms is an ideal destination to connect with family, friends, and business associates. With all activities on-site—and little else around—you and your guests can bond and look each other eye to eye instead of relying solely on digital communication. The resort is about an hour’s drive from Birmingham and the Talladega Speedway (which can draw up to 175,000 NASCAR fans on race weekends). Its Hurdzan-Fry design has been ranked Golfweek’s No. 1 all-access Alabama golf course for the past decade.
The impetus behind the resort began with a creative sales plan to invite golf course superintendents to a three-day, all-expenses-paid soiree that blended education and entertainment, with the ultimate goal of growing the business. The Hurdzan-Fry golf course was utilized as a living laboratory, allowing superintendents to see for themselves the benefits of Pursell-branded fertilizer.
“We generated more than 100 patents and trademarks on sulfur-coated urea [fertilizer],” said David Pursell, CEO/co-founder of Pursell Farms. “While we didn’t produce a huge quantity of the cutting-edge product, we held the recipe similar to the syrup that goes into Coca-Cola.”
Several years ago, the Pursell family received a large unsolicited offer to purchase most of their assets, including a robust number of patents.
“We are not the type to retire and go ‘pick up seashells on the beach.’ Although we were no longer in the fertilizer business, we owned the highly-rated Hurdzan-Fry golf course, and we knew how to effectively run a hospitality business from our hosting of thousands of golf course superintendents,” explained David. “Thus, our resort—Pursell Farms—was formed.”
It Carries Our Name
Ellen Pursell (David’s wife) has been instrumental in all interior design aspects at Pursell Farms. “My mission was to create a feeling of relaxed elegance where you want to prop your feet up. It must be approachable and inviting,” described Ellen Pursell. “I think you will appreciate the little touches.
“When a resort carries your name, attention to detail is a must,” continued Ellen. “When we were evaluating pillows and linens, I threw a ‘pillow party’ for David and our six children. We scattered pillows about the room, and we slowly narrowed the list from 20 down to 10, down to four, until we ultimately voted on the ‘perfect’ pillow for our bedding that shouts, ‘come snuggle with me.’”
The Inn at Pursell Farms features a collection of antiques. “There is a fine line when it comes to interior design,” revealed Ellen. “One of my ‘go-to’ stores is Scott’s Antiques in Atlanta, Georgia. When I was searching for the perfect lighting for the main dining room. I found the ideal chandelier that didn’t hit your eye with too much sparkle, but was elegant and looked right for the spot. I have put my heart and soul into the hotel, and our mix of colors and patterns matches our farm setting.”
Pencil and Pad
Before David Pursell sold the fertilizer business, he was instrumental in designing all product labeling. “I wasn’t being a micro-manager,” expressed David. “Even as a kid, you were likely to find me with a pad and pencil sketching in my free time. The passion never left me, so I utilized the skill in our packaging department.”
More than three decades ago, David was at Shoal Creek in Alabama, having lunch in the 19th hole. “There was a large drawing of Bobby Jones adorning the wall. That was my inspiration to start drawing famous golf figureheads. I distinctly remember saying to myself, ‘I can do that,’” recalled David.
During a GCSAA (Golf Course Superintendents Association of America) trade show, David was hired to produce a painting. “If an attendee stopped at all 18 locations scattered around the cavernous convention hall [encouraging them to walk all aisles], they would receive one of my sketches. It was so successful that the program lasted for 14 years! Now I get to draw, not because I have to draw, for business needs,” smiled David.
Several years ago, David was drafting an oil painting of Augusta National. “I left the room for a break, and my then three-year-old daughter picked up a paintbrush and started painting on top of my painting,” said David with a huff. “Hours of work went down the drain, and I had to start over. I didn’t get angry and chalked it up to a part of life, raising a big family.”
For information on seasonal packages, please visit PursellFarms.com.