SI

Golf’s Ultimate Entrepreneurs Are Building a New High-Stakes Venture

Mike and Kass Lazerow, founders of multiple golf businesses including Golf.com, join a new Dan Evans Show to talk about their journey and the new ‘Grass League.’
Dan Evans|
Mike and Kass Lazerow join a new Dan Evans Show.
Mike and Kass Lazerow join a new Dan Evans Show. | Dan Evans

The Lazerows’ journey is the definition of "built different." They founded Golf.com in 1997, only to see it catastrophically implode during the 2000 dot-com crash after a paper-only merger with the now-defunct ChipShot.com. 

Left with a bankrupt shell, they made the unconventional decision to buy back the business. Over the next six years, they leveraged the rise of Tiger Woods to turn the site into a popular digital golf destination, eventually selling it for about $25 million to Time Inc., which was then the owner of Sports Illustrated.

After parlaying their success into Buddy Media, which was acquired by Salesforce for nearly $1 billion, the Lazerows have returned to their roots with a major investment in Grass League, which calls itself the “world’s first high-stakes par-3 golf league.”  

As owners of the New York Blue Birds, the 2025 Grass Clippings Open Champions, they are championing what Mike calls the "street fight" of golf: high-stakes, par-3 competitions under the lights.  

"It’s the democratization of golf," Mike says. "There’s room for traditional golf, but we love the high stakes, the bands, the DJs and the young people having a great time.".

To hear more about the Lazerows’ story and why they are betting on the future of Grass League’s High Stakes Par 3 Golf, watch the latest interview episode of the Dan Evans Show. And catch up on previous episodes on SI Golf.

More Golf from Sports Illustrated

Published | Modified
Dan Evans
DAN EVANS

Dan Evans, a powerhouse golf content creator on Instagram and TikTok, boasts a rich and diverse background that fuels his current success. Known for his inspiring weight loss journey on The Biggest Loser, successful career as a top ten recording artist, national spokesperson and event host for the Biggest Loser RunWalk 5k and half marathon race series, and his love for cooking, which led him to earn a culinary degree and create and host his own cooking show, Dan has rapidly emerged as a beloved figure in the golf community. Harnessing his diverse background and experiences, he has channeled his passion for golf into compelling content that reaches millions. With over 100 million views, his unique and engaging personality, coupled with his exceptional storytelling style, resonates with golf fans worldwide. As Dan continues to captivate and connect with a growing audience on a weekly basis, he solidifies his place as an influential figure within the golf community and beyond, proving that his love for the sport knows no bounds.

Home/Golf