Project Dreamport - The Impossible Golf Vacation Achieved

Who hasn't wanted to play the world's most exclusive courses, like TPC at Sawgrass, Augusta, Pebble and venerable St. Andrews? And VIP tickets to the Masters would be nice, too. If only you had a private jet to make it all possible.

Project Dreamport is now offering all those experiences and more, giving people the chance to realize their impossible dreams-while giving back.

The packages aren't cheap-they start at $175,000-but they won't be forgotten. The Dream Golf Package is priced at $8.5 million and includes private jet transportation, accommodations and meals for you and three of your closest friends to TPC Sawgrass, Kiawah Ocean Course, Pinehurst No. 2, TPC Wakefield Plantation, TPC Myrtle Beach, TPC Scottsdale, St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, Sea Island and Augusta, including VIP tickets to the Masters. On top of all that, the recipient will get an executive producer position on the film adaptation of "Final Rounds".

But what really puts this extravagant package into a different category is the charitable component: 20 percent of the cost will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

We caught up with Project Dreamport's founder, Michael Hayworth, and talked with him about the genesis for the offerings.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background.

A: I am a creative producer with 12 years experience in the film, television and new media industries. In addition, my background includes several years of high-end retail and theme park experience.

Q: What was the inspiration for Project Dreamport?

A: Project Dreamport came about from a conversation I had with my date, Louisiana debutante and actress, Maddie Anderson, at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards Governor's Ball where she suggested to take my impossible, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I have on a daily basis, and my connections in the entertainment field, and utilize them in a business. She is my muse.

Q: Why did you include a mandatory charitable contribution?

A: I personally believe that, especially in these tough times, those who are blessed with the ability to experience and afford our packages should help make the world a better place.


Q: What do you hope to accomplish with it?

A: I believe that with the 20 percent of the Dream Golf package donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters, we will be able to help hundreds, if not thousands, of kids find positive directions in their lives with the guidance of positive role models. I hope that by the time the purchaser of the gift is hitting the links at Sawgrass, a kid who would otherwise be joining a gang will be learning how to set up his or her own small business, thus leading to also becoming a philanthropist in 20 years.

Q: How did you come up with the ideas for the individual packages and how did you assemble them?

A: Our staff had a brainstorming session in which we all asked ourselves, "If you could do anything or be any movie character, who would you be?" This led us to giving the packages themes around spies, Indiana Jones, "Tron: Legacy" and "Back to the Future." Fate would have it that my friend and golfing buddy, Tom Burke, called in the middle of the meeting to ask if he could read the screenplay version of "Final Rounds", which is being produced by my mentor, Sam Froelich.

Q: How did you pick the golf courses for the Dream Golf Package?

A: I called and surveyed several golf professionals about the courses that are both the most challenging as well as the most fun and scenic. Out of a list of around 75, we culled it down to the Top 10.

Q: Do you golf yourself? If so, what's your handicap? Favorite course?

A: I love to golf, though if you ask anyone who has ever golfed with me and they'll tell you I'm the worst of the worst! But no one is as passionate as I am about the fabric of the game, which in my opinion is camaraderie, being out in nature and the enjoyment of getting the best shot of the day. Several years ago, I had the honor of playing the Kiawah Ocean Course at sunset. I believe Heaven's back nine might look like that.


More Information at www.projectdreamport.com/