Bryson DeChambeau discusses his Central Valley project on the Joe Pomp Show hosted by sports business analyst Joe Pompliano. Video screenshot from Joe Pomp Show

Golf superstar Bryson DeChambeau is already one of the most popular athletes in his sport and one of the most successful people to come out of the Central Valley in the 21st century.

DeChambeau is partnering with Cook Land Co. to make his dreams of building a mega development near Clovis a reality.

“I can confirm that Cook Land Company formed a business partnership centered around real estate assets with Bryson DeChambeau several years ago, and we are proud to consider him a dear friend,” Cook Land Company CEO Todd Cook wrote in a statement to The Business Journal.

Sonja Dosti, Fresno County’s communications director, said the golf academy portion of the project is currently in process with the county. 

Cook Land Co. owns land northeast of Clovis, but no specific details on the exact location have been disclosed.

Based in Clovis, Cook Land Co. was founded in 1942 by Einar Cook to create advanced farming equipment under the name Cook Disc and Implements.

It expanded into farming and leasing industrial warehouses, forming the foundation for today’s operations.

In the 1950s, Cook began adding commercial uses, and by the 1970s, it shifted entirely to industrial buildings.

Jerry Cook and his sons expanded the portfolio further through TJC Partners. In 1995, the Sunflower Marketplace at Shaw and Peach avenues was developed to honor Hans Cook, the first of the Cook family to move to Clovis

Since 2000, their portfolio has grown to 1.1 million square feet across 50-plus properties, maintaining 95% occupancy and adding 200,000 square feet annually, according to their website. Recently, Cook Land Co. acquired Pelco’s former campus and other Central Valley properties — now home to County of Fresno offices.

Now, for the first time, it’s partnering with an athlete.

DeChambeau, a two-time U.S. Open winner (2020 and 2024), spoke with sports business analyst Joe Pompliano on a podcast in January, highlighting his plans for the development, which include making golf more accessible for everyone across the country.

“Making it economically viable and more accessible are two massive things,” DeChambeau said. “I’ve got a strategy right now that I’m implementing that people have heard. It’s a strategy that essentially brings people from off the street, to the driving range, to lessons and then to the golf course. It’s a full three-step process, essentially. Getting them to the driving range, getting them lessons and then getting them on the golf course.”

The Clovis “mega-project,” as DeChambeau calls it, involves developing more than 200 acres of land into a multisport complex complete with a driving range, golf course, residential housing and a community center.

“You have to have it at one place,” he said. “At a community center, where it is easily accessible and easily affordable.”

The plan also includes building a community around the complex that could represent about 30% of the current size of Clovis.

He added that navigating the bureaucratic hurdles is the next step. DeChambeau estimates it will take 12-15 months to get the conditional use permits fully approved, working closely with county, state and city officials, he said.

Initially, the complex would serve students from the Clovis Unified School District, he said.

DeChambeau attended Clovis East High School, graduating in 2012.

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This is an abridged version of a story running in the June 6 print edition of The Business Journal. Visit our subscription page for more information.