THE SIDELINES : Nicklaus Golf Schools in Japan

Jack Nicklaus announced a deal today with the Mitsubishi Corp. and Suntory Ltd. to build a network of golf schools in Japan.

Nicklaus said he signed an exclusive contract giving Mitsubishi and Suntory the right to develop the schools. He said each school will have three holes and a driving range, adding that there also are plans for several driving ranges in urban areas.

Mitsubishi will own 51% of the joint venture, to be formed by July, and Suntory 49%, according to Tsunemasa Takeda, head of Mitsubishi’s new enterprises department.

The amount of capital both companies will supply for the venture and locations for the schools have not yet been decided, Takeda said. Nicklaus, who franchises similar schools in the United States, said he hopes to expand to Europe.