Golf Range Magazine, launched in 1992, is the official trade magazine of the Golf Range Association of America, the GRAA. As the industry's leading and widest-read trade magazine, Golf Range Magazine is published six times per year. Golf Range Magazine's controlled and paid circulation rate base has steadily climbed since 2001 and now stands at nearly 12,000 (readership 36,000).
WINTER 2011 $20.00 JOIN OR RENEW YOUR GRAA MEMBERSHIP INSIDE OR ONLINE TODAY! Plus: Tee Line with Sunset Golf Balls • The Return of Hollrock Engineering G O L F R A N G E S I N R I C A 2 0 1 1 • G O L F R A N G E S I N A M E R I C A 2 0 1 1 • G O L F R A N G E S I N A M E R I C A 2 0 1 1 • G O L F R A N G N A M E R I C A 2 0 1 1 • THE TOP 100 gOlf rangE magazinE 2011 FACILITY SPOTLIGHT: Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex Clearwater, Florida TOP 100 PORTFOLIO MARKETING: Revenue –Enhancing Changes It’s Time to Focus on Groups
Transcript
WINTER 2011 $20.00
Join or renew Your GrAA MeMbership inside or online TodAY!
Plus: Tee Line with Sunset Golf Balls • The Return of Hollrock Engineering
GOLF RANGES IN AMERIC
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THE TOP
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FAciliTY spoTliGhT: Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports ComplexClearwater, Florida
Top 100 porTFolio
MArkeTinG: Revenue –Enhancing Changes It’s Time to Focus on Groups
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EyE on Manufacturing: Hollrock Engineering Back in the game . . .8Rick Hollrock thought he was getting out of the golf range/course equipment supply business for good. But guess what? He’s back with Hollrock Engineering.
top 100 rangEs in aMErica southeast/northeast/Midwest/West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-25
top 100 golf rangEs in aMErica: photo portfolio . . . . . . .26-29
facility profilE: chi chi golf & family sports complex clearwater, florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-31Chi Chi Rodriguez has given back to the game with his new Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex
MarkEting: Make revenue –Enhancing changes- it’s time to focus on groups By sheryl Bindelglass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32-33
spotligHt on coloMBia: a sleeping giant awakens . . . . . . . . 35
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Congratulations to this year’s award winners. We received hundreds of submissions and photos, DVD’s, photo CD’s, testimonials, binders of info and the like. Owners and gen-eral managers take obvious pride in their facilities and it shows. Every year the complexity and variety of the industry expands. There are so many wonderful facilities, but most importantly there are an equal number of dedicated and committed individuals who participate in this great industry with the aim to not only make a profit but to give something back to individuals, families, communities and the golf industry. We owe them all, not just our Top 100, a round of applause.
GRAA 2011 Membership Information-Please Join or Renew
If you are reading this it means you are involved in this industry. There is only one dedicated trade group aimed at owners, operators, and developers- the Golf Range Association of America. (GRAA) If you have not been a member we invite you to find out what you’ve been missing. Visit our website at www.golfrange.org
Thank You to Range Servant America & Harris Miniature Golf
Co-Sponsors- Industry Cocktail Reception on January 27, 2011PGA Merchandise Show-Room 224C- 6pm-8pm
Welcome Class of 2011 Golf Range Magazine
Top 100 Golf Ranges in America & Top 10 Golf Domes
Frances De SalvoSmithfield Driving Range and Pro Shop, Smithfield, Rhode Island
“I like Golf Range Magazine and getting the industry and supplier news. I want to check into the credit card processing program from GolfTranz.”
Laurel DiekenAbles Golf on Avery, Dublin, Ohio“I like the publication and the GRAA meetings at the PGA show. I like sharing ideas with others. I would check out the Classic Party Rentals.”
Jim EbelThe Practice Center, Franklin Ohio“I like the VGM membership benefit, especially for Grainger and range balls. I’m planning on learning more about Golfsmith. I like Golf Range Magazine.”
Peter EppersonMissing Links Golf Facility, Mequon, Wisconsin
“It is nice to have an organization that pulls together all the different entities of our indus-try, and getting information on the latest items. It’s fun to get together at the PGA show. It’s a great resource and it’s worth the money every year. I have saved money through VGM on tees, grips, equipment, Wittek, and uniform cleaning. I also use the Associa-tion Health Programs for insurance for myself and family. The rates are very good and the customer service is terrific. I also use Golfsmith for grips and have gotten dis-counts from Staples.”
Jamie GrimmLongview Golf Centre, Grimes, Iowa“A key benefit to belonging to the GRAA is for the VGM Club. We’ve received golf club discounts, prebooks, Wilson, Sun Mountain and carpet replacement. We’ve also used Golfsmith.”
Roy PaceAlpine Target Golf Center, Longview, Texas“I’d like to look into The Monroe Group/Haylor Freyer & Coon. My insurance rates have gone through the roof, and I like to get more preferable rates. I also get discounted Top-Flite balls through VGM. I’m eligible anyway for the PGA Trade-In Network because I’m a PGA professional, but it’s a good program.”
David RuppPagoda Golf Area, Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania“Joining enabled me to get a huge savings on VGM Club membership. I use VGM primarily for their savings on Top-Flite range balls. I go to the PGA Merchan-dise Show and attend the Golf Range Association of America seminar and net-work with other owners and operators.”
Judy Begin-SloanBegin Oaks Golf, Plymouth, Minnesota“We use the great discount on Staples products a lot as well as the PGA Trade-in Network. Through the VGM program we always get discounts on golf balls, range and maintenance supplies. I enjoy reading about other facilities and the Best Practices section in the Golf Range Magazine.” ●
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T he Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) is committed to the standard that you get full value for your membership − no matter how long you have been a member. Members of GRAA receive a wide range of benefits, most explained briefly in this article. If you require more information or have questions contact us at www.golfrange.org or call us in Connecticut at our HQ phone (203) 938-2720.We welcome your suggestions and feedback, which will allow us to strengthen the GRAA and respond to your needs. We encourage you to visit the GRAA website, www.golfrange.org, to stay current with golf range, executive course, short course, 18-hole golf courses with golf centers and other Golf Range Magazine information, suppliers, membership benefits and other areas of interest.GRAA seeks to make our members more profitable and to promote awareness of the latest trends, tools, vendors, suppliers and technology for golf ranges, short courses, learning centers and 18 hole courses, and provide innovative value-added services for the professional and business development of members.
Here are some recent comments by GRAA Members …
Maximizing Your GRAA Membership Benefits The Power of Collaboration
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THe TOP
10Braemar Golf Dome Minneapolis, Minnesota
Buffalo Grove Golf Dome Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Eaglequest Calgary Dome Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Golf Dome at Family First Erie, Pennsylvania
Longview Golf Dome Grimes, Iowa
Oasis Golf Dome Plymouth, Michigan
The Golf Dome Chagrin Falls, Ohio
The Golf Dome Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The SportsPlex at Turning Stone Verona, New York
White Pines Golf Dome Bensonville, Illinois
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aboutGolf Introduces aG Studio, New Launch Monitor & Club Tracking Device MAUMEE, OHIO - aboutGolf, the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology, recently announced the the launch of its new, integrated aG Studio, a launch monitor and club tracking device powered by 3Trak, aboutGolf ’s proprietary 3D, high-speed photography tracking technology. Designed pri-marily for indoor use, the aG Studio mounts above the tee and provides data on ball speed, trajectory angle, distance, spin, club speed, angle of attack and horizontal path. Equipped with 3Trak, the aG Studio “sees” like no other launch monitor, re-defining accuracy in the market.
“The aG Studio has raised the bar for accuracy in the launch monitor industry,” says Chuck Faust, aboutGolf ’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “And with both ball and club data in one device, at such a high level of accuracy, aG Studio will make major contributions to improving golf games worldwide.”
The aG Studio is factory-calibrated to ensure repeatable and definitive data, which makes it ideal for club fitters, golf retailers, instructors or game-improvement enthusiasts. Data inaccuracies cripple the club fitter’s ability to properly fit, the retailer’s ability to sell equipment, the instructor’s ability to produce improve-ment and the game-improvement enthusiast’s ability to self-teach. Only 3Trak is trusted by golf ’s most elite names and used in aboutGolf ’s PGA TOUR Simulator.
With easy set up, permanent installation and no ongoing calibration required, operation of aG Studio is hassle-free. aG Studio works for both right-handed and left-handed golfers without needing to move the unit, allowing customers to spend
golf range magazine8 winter 2011
the latest industry news and buzzthe news the latest industry news and buzz
more time driving revenue and game improvement and less time adjusting equipment.
The aG Studio comes loaded with Perform Software, featur-ing real-time ball flight and multiple dashboards, including a club-fitting optimizer, spin-axis analysis and club data. Perform drives meaningful performance results by making data accessible and easy to understand and use. Perform converts the complex raw data captured by 3Trak into actionable information.
“Studio makes the power of 3Trak available to new appli-cations,” says Faust. “Focusing on practice modes and features allows us to deliver PGA TOUR Simulator quality accuracy at a lower price point.”
For use indoors or within covered structures, aG Studio can be installed as part of any performance bay, connected directly to a PC and can be easily integrated with LCD monitor displays, nets, full-screen projections and more.
The MSRP for the aG Studio is $12,500, which includes Perform Software. aG Range software is available as an upgrade.
Additional aG Performance Products, including a por-table, indoor/outdoor counterpart to aG Studio are planned for release in 2011.
aboutGolf is a 20-year-old Maumee, Ohio-based company that has been dedicated to golf for its entire history. aboutGolf is the world leader in indoor golf simulator technology, producing PGA TOUR Simulators, aboutGolf Performance Products and Henry-Griffitts Custom Fitting. Historically, aboutGolf also pro-duced Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf
and World Tours, which is the world’s most-widely-distributed golf simulation. aboutGolf® is a registered trademark of about-Golf Limited, Maumee, Ohio.
For more information and product images contact: Mary Beth Lacy at: 760-346-6942, email: [email protected] ●
China Golf Show joins hands Reed ExhibitionsChina Golf Show has signed a cooperation agreement with Reed Exhibitions. The show will be held at China National Conven-tion Center from March 18 to 20, 2011 and will be organized by “Reed Guanghe Exhibitions”, a joint venture which Reed holds a majority and officially supported and co-hosted by the China Golf Association.
Reed Exhibitions is the producer of PGA Merchandise Show and the world’s leading events organizer, with over 440 events in 36 countries.
According to market research, China has vast potential in terms of its golf potential. So the organizer is confident to turn “China Golf Show” into one of Asia’s most influential industry summits through its customer resources and industry experience.
China Golf Show will strengthen training, hire foreign trade show specialists in order to share advanced technology and management experience. The Show expects high-quality buyers
golf range magazine 9winter 2011
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involved with new technologies, new products, and teaching & training.
Launched in 2002, China Golf Show has steadily grown to become China’s number one trade event for the golf industry. It is well supported by the China Golf Association and recognized as the premier platform for this emerging industry.
About China Golf ShowThe show in 2011 took place in Beijing in the Spring and in Guangzhou in Autumn. Both shows hosted over 300 exhibitors representing international and domestic golf suppliers and service providers. Attendees included golf professionals, club managers, golf course superintendants, golf merchandise distributors/retail-ers, developers, golf range owners and golf enthusiasts from all over China.
About the PGA Merchandise ShowSince its inception in 1954, the PGA Merchandise Show (www.pgashow.com) has become the world’s most influential golf trade show. Every year, leading golf manufacturers will exhibit; interna-tional leaders will address industry issues; timely education semi-nars and relevant best practices will be offered; new golf employ-ment initiatives will be launched; and professional networking will build important relationships. Industry professionals from around the world will source the newest golf merchandise from top golf vendors and brands. The Annual Outdoor Demo Day, the world’s
largest professional testing event is also an important part of the Show.
The PGA Merchandise Show, organized in partnership with The PGA of America, is one of three leading golf trade shows in PGA Worldwide Golf Exhibitions’ golf portfolio including the PGA Fall Expo in Las Vegas and the Ontario PGA Golf Merchan-dise Show in Toronto, Canada.
About Reed ExhibitionsReed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organizer, with over 440 events in 36 countries. In 2009 Reed brought together over six million active event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 35 fully staffed offices.
Reed organizes a wide range of events, including trade and consumer exhibitions, conferences and meetings. Its portfolio of over 440 events serves 44 industry sectors. Working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government depart-ments, Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and rel-evant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.
Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a FTSE-100 company and world-leading publisher and information provider. ●
golf range magazine10 winter 2011
the latest industry news and buzzthe news the latest industry news and buzz
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golf range magazine 11winter 2011
GOOD NEWS FOR 2011 WE ARE BACK IN THE GOLF BUSINESS
We sold this element of our operations some years ago. With so many calls
from Customers with our name on the products, we have arranged to take
the business back. One of our other products is Ballpark Batting and that
website is in operation. For the present time our golf product customers
can reach us on that website at www.ballparkbatting.com ●
Enter Pareto Pareto, was run at the time by an intrepid group of businessmen. Pareto saw a certain staid quality in the golf industry but was aware that the industry and image were expanding with the help of Tiger Woods and the Hollywood crowd. After several months of negotiations with Hollrock Engineering a deal was struck in 2005. As part of the deal, Hollrock sold its golf patents (except the Robo-T automated tee-up system) and overall business to Pareto. The name of the new company, now owned by the British group Pareto was changed to simply Hollrock Golf. When Rick Hollrock was asked what his motivation to sell was, he responded, “I had other interests and commitments at the time which made it more advantageous to sell the golf equipment business. I felt good that Pareto had a vision that would improve and expand the product line I had created. I also decided that my firm, Hollrock Engineering, would focus efforts exclusively on the development of a new concept: the BallPark Batting Range System.
The “new” Hollrock Golf staffed up, expanded the product line and implemented a jaunty advertising trade campaign in an effort to grow market share. After several years of efforts, it would be fair to say that Hollrock Golf grew a bit too quickly and other business opportunities seemed to draw away some of their attention. Perhaps Rick Hollrock sums it up best when he says, “Pareto (Hollrock Golf) did make improvements to the product line, however their vision as a manufacturer changed over the years and it then seemed appropriate that I return to the business. “
Hollrock Engineering Comes BackIn the intervening years Hollrock worked hard to perfect his Ballpark Batting, Hollrock’s spin-off interpretation of traditional baseball batting cages. “I developed a scalable, turn key system. It’s easy to set up and the construction costs are low. It gets away from the ‘cage’ idea and allows users to hit baseballs into the landing area of a range. As part of this system I also developed special discs and a modified ball picker that will be able to pick up these larger balls.” says Hollrock who adds “players love to be able to hit it out into an open field and watch the ball flight.”
So, 35 years later, Rick Hollrock is back in the game. But then maybe he never really left? ●
Eye on Manufacturing
R ick Hollrock thought he was getting out of the golf range/course equipment supply
business, for good, a few years back when he was approached by a buyer for his company, Hollrock Engineering. But for anyone who knows Rick Hollrock, they’re not surprised that his love of engineering and inventing combined with an entrepreneurial zeal has led him back into the biz. The word on the street is out. Hollrock Engineering is back in business under its original owner and original trade name. We’ll explain, in just a bit, how this re-entry happened but let’s wind the clock back a bit first.
The seeds of Hollrock’s interest in the range business date back to his college days when he worked at a golf course during his summer breaks. “I came home one day and mentioned to my father that I had seen people collecting golf balls by hand from ponds, “ says Hollrock. “My Dad suggested I should try my hand at inventing and building some sort of a machine that could do the same, “ adds Hollrock. A tinkerer by nature, Hollrock came to realize after building a few prototypes that it was a lot easier to build and then sell these new ‘ball retrieving” machines than it was to manually extract balls by hand from ponds.
Early GrowthBased on some early success, Hollrock decided the industry was ripe for new ideas and products. Incorporating Hollrock Engineering in 1974, he started to produce and patent products with applications in the golf range industry. One of his early patents, in 1974, was an underwater golf ball retriever. Then an early lightweight golf ball picker specifically designed to be used in combination with motorized golf carts. “Up until then, golf carts were rarely used on the golf course range, and golf courses then began to consider golf ranges as a possible profit center.” Says Hollrock.
As the golf industry picked up steam through the 1980’s and 1990’s, Hollrock Engineering released a number of innovative products that enjoyed quick acceptance by the industry. Hollrock even opened a full service golf driving range (Western Massachusetts Family Golf Center) down the road from his main building where products could be tested under actual playing conditions. More patents followed as Hollrock Engineering released a popular ball washer called the “Scrub Tub” Country Club Golf Ball Washer. Other ball washers included the 38K Commercial Duty Golf Ball Washer and the golf ball WJ3 Prewash Sorter Machine. One of Hollrock’s more intriguing designs was something he called the “Ball Shooter”. This was a ball conveyance system that was based on ‘blowing compressed air’ through pneumatic tubes thereby transporting range balls through these tubes from a Hollrock washer to a ball-dispensing machine. Hollrock adds, “I also developed something called the ‘Dumper Hopper’ golf ball handling system which allowed my ball pickers to come in loaded with picked range balls and then unload these balls without actually lifting the baskets out of the unit.” Business was good. It was this success that caught the eye of a UK-based company, Pareto, who was actively looking to expand into the North American equipment market.
Hollrock Engineering Back in the Game
golf range magazine12 winter 2011
the latest industry news and buzzthe news the latest industry news and buzz
Golfweek’s Transitions Championship Golfest Coming to The Downs Golf Facility in Tampa, FloridaGolfweek is proud to announce that a third Golfest, in partner-ship with the Transitions Championship, will be held in Florida this winter. This popular demo day and golf lifestyle extravaganza will take place on February 19-20, 2011 at The Downs Golf Facility located at Tampa Bay Downs on Racetrack Road near Oldsmar.
Golfest will feature a 15-17 golf club, shaft and ball company demo day along with booths from local golf courses and golf lifestyle companies. Throughout the weekend, enjoy special Golfest pricing from the various major manufacturers and at PGA Discount Pro Shop. Golf club trade-ins will also be taken.
While LPGA and World Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam will headline at the Main Stage on Sunday, Chuck “The Hit-man” Hiter will be entertain the crowd with his golf trick shots on Saturday. A total of 10 hours of local golf experts and celebri-ties will be on hand during the two-day event.
Other Golfest activities will include free golf lessons given by PGA pros, games at the “Junior Golf Experience” where juniors can test their skills, and a $25,000 Putting Challenge. Food and beverages will be available.
Tickets will be available at several local golf courses and at The Downs Golf. Daily entry fee is $10, with juniors 16 and under free. Goody bags with discounted items and even a free
round of golf at Westchase Country Club will be given to those who register to win prizes.
Hours for this anticipated event will be from 9 am–4 pm on Saturday, Feb. 19 and 9 am–3pm on Sunday, Feb. 20. Parking will be free. For more details, visit www.Golfest.com. We hope to see you all there. ●
CoverShots Enters Partnership with PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties to Provide Mobile Canopies for TPC NetworkCoverShots Mobile Canopies, LLC announced today that it has executed an agreement with PGA TOUR Golf Properties Inc, and is now the “Official Mobile Canopy of the Tournament Players Club Network”.
“CoverShots is very pleased to be associated with the TPC Net-work,” said Randy Naylor, President of CoverShots Mobile Canopies, LLC. “The TPC Network includes some of the finest golf facilities around the country. To be selected as their Official Mobile Canopy is a great honor, and also makes a statement about our quality of products and commitment to the game of golf. Our first unit will be installed at TPC Sawgrass in early 2011.”
“We are pleased to be doing business with Covershots, whose outstanding product will provide a significant upgrade to the practice experience at TPC Sawgrass,” said John Hugghins, Senior Vice Presi-dent, TPC Operations.
CoverShots sells patented, mobile canopies ranging in size from 24’ to 104’ for all types of practice facilities. They are available motorized and non-motorized, have a retractable top option, and can be custom-ized with heaters, fans, lights, and logos. CoverShots provides protection from the sun’s dangerous UV rays and shelter for golfers and instructors during inclement weather. Owners of CoverShots Mobile Canopies have stated that having a CoverShots at their facility has proven to increase profitability through additional range ball and lesson revenue, along with increased food and beverage and pro shop sales.
About The TPC NetworkLicensed by the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network is comprised of 17 premier private, resort and daily fee golf properties designed by some of golf ’s most elite architects. Nine additional clubs are operated by affiliates of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, Inc. Each TPC has hosted or has been designed to host TOUR-sponsored golf tourna-ments. Since the TPC Sawgrass first opened its world renowned Stadium Course in the fall of 1980, TPCs have provided the PGA TOUR with rent-free venues for tournaments, helping to boost championship golf purses and increasing charitable donations to grass roots non-profit organizations. At the same time, TPCs have provid-ed recreational golfers with the unique opportunity to test their skills on the same layouts where the world’s best golfers compete.
Distinctive in character but consistent in quality, TPCs are known for their outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a com-mitment to environmental excellence. To date, all 17 TPCs are certi-fied as Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Systems. The TPC Network is also distinguished by its unwavering commitment to further the PGA TOUR’s giving back mission through support of charitable and community-based programs.
For more information, please visit www.tpc.com. CoverShots Mobile Canopies, Wilmington, N.C. Contact: Randy Naylor, President at 910.794-6124 or 888-881-2433 ●
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golf range magazine 15wintER 2011
SOUTHEAST NORTHEAST MIDWEST WEST
This special secTion marks The 16Th annual Golf ranGe maGazine rankinG
of The Top 100 Golf pracTice cenTers and learninG faciliTies in america.
GOLF RANGES IN AMERIC
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THE TOP
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16 wintER 2011 golf range magazine
SOUTHEAST
Ace Golf at RiverviewRiverview, FloridaOwner: Bill Place,
GM: Brian Kiellsh, Dir. of Golf: George Marsoobianwww.ace-golf.com
Arundel Golf ParkGlen Burnie, Maryland
Owner: Jim Kardash/Ken Gill,
GM: Jim Kardash, Dir. of Golf: Jim
Kardash, PGAwww.arundelgolfpark.com
Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex
Clearwater, FloridaOwner: Chi Chi Rodriguez
Academy, GM: James Poulter, Dir. of Golf: Tony Simpson, PGA
www.chichi.org
Choice TeeSpring, Texas
Owner: Straight Line Development, Chuck Johnson
GM: Justin JohnsonDir. of Golf: N/A
www.choicetee.com
Desert East Golf Driving RangeEl Paso, Texas
Owner: Ralph CrouseGM: Ralph Crouse
Dir. of Golf: Ralph Crousewww.remgolf.com
D.A.‘s Spring Creek GolfPlano, Texas
Owner: LP inluding D.A. Weibring, GM: Matthew Vahala
Dir. of Golf: Scott Robbins, PGAwww.dasspringcreekgolf.com
The Downs Golf Practice Facility
Tampa, FloridaOwner: Mrs. Stella Thayer/Tampa
Bay Downs, Inc.GM: Jon Johnson, PGA
Dir. of Golf: Jon Johnson, PGAwww.tampabaydowns.com
Dulles Golf Center & Sports Park
Dulles, VirginiaOwner: Robert RieverGM: Chuck Will, PGA
Dir. of Golf: Chuck Will, PGAwww.dullesgolfcenter.com
Eagle Zone Golf Improvement Center
Greenville, South Carolina
Owner: Sam Philips
GM: Carolyn Echols
Dir. of Golf: Chad Philipswww.theeaglezone.com
East Potomac Golf CourseWashington, D.C.
Owner: National Park Service
GM: Tim Krebs, PGA/Golf Course
Specialists, Inc.
Dir. of Golf: Capital City Golf Schoolwww.golfdc.com
Fairways and GreensKnoxville, Tennessee
Owner: Vincent Keller
GM: Britton Spann
Dir. of Golf: Walt Chapman, PGAwww.fairwaysandgreens.org
Golden Bear Golf Center at the HighlandsCarrollton, Texas
Owner: Fritz Duda
GM: Tom Morehart
Dir. of Golf: Mark Maness, PGAwww.gbgc.net
Golf & Games Family Park Memphis, Tennessee
Owner: Aubrey Smith
GM: Tom Uphold
Dir. of Golf: Charlie Long, PGA www.golfandgamesmemphis.com
Golfsmith Golf Center Austin, Texas
Owner: Golfsmith
GM: Doug Nelle
Dir. of Golf: Harvey Penick Golf
Academywww.golfsmith.com
Hackers Golf ParkStatesboro, Georgia
Owner: Darin Van Tassell
GM: Drew Pittman
Dir. of Golf: Drew Pittmanwww.hackersgolfpark.com
Hank Haney Golf Ranch at Vista RidgeLewisville, Texas
Owner: Hank Haney
GM: Spencer Ebeler
Dir. of Golf: Steve Johnson, PGA www.hankhaney.com
The Highlands Golf ParkRuckersville, Virginia
Owner: The Scheuermann Family
GM: Gretchen Scheuermann, LPGA
Dir. of Golf: Anne Marie
Scheuermannwww.highlandsgolfpark.com
Ironbridge Sports ParkChester, Virginia
Owner: Iron Bridge Sports
Park, LLC
GM: Stacy Bolton
Dir. of Golf: Tyler Clark
www.ironbridgesportspark.com
Jim McLean Golf Center at TexasFort Worth, Texas
Owner: Jim McLean, GM: Justin
Poynter, Dir. of Instruction: Justin
Poynter, PGAwww.jimmclean.com
John Prince Golf Learning CenterLake Worth, Florida
Owner: Palm Beach County
GM: Donna White, LPGA/Golf
Professional Services, Inc.
Head Pro: Mark Mayette, PGAwww.JohnPrinceGolf.com
Knights Play Golf CenterNorth Carolina
Owner: Nelson Hare
GM: Kevin Jones, PGA
Dir. of Golf: Kevin Jones, PGAwww.knightsplay.com
Leatherman Golf Learning Center
Charlotte, North Carolina
Owner: Chris Leatherman, PGA
GM: Matt Lester
Dir. of Golf: Chris Leatherman. PGAwww.leathermangolf.com
Leonard Golf LinksFort Worth, Texas
Owner: Martha Leonard
GM: Steve Blondell
Dir. of Golf: Dana Bellinger, PGAwww.leonardgolflinks.com
Marietta Golf CenterMarietta, Georgia
Owner: Dave Coleman, GM: Aaron
Douyard, Dir. of Golf: Ted Fort, PGA
www.mariettagolfcenter.com
Night Hawk Golf Center
Gambrills, Maryland
Owner: Bill Forthofer
GM: Bill Forthofer
Dir. of Golf: Don Slebodnik, PGA
www.nighthawkgolfcenter.com
Olney Golf Park
Olney, Maryland
Owner: Tim Landres/WestlandGolf
GM: Bob Karnei
Dir. of Golf: Jim Estes
www.westlandgolf.com
Orange County National
Winter Garden, Florida
Owner: Team Classic Golf Services
GM: Bruce Gerlander
Dir. of Golf: Ted Elefheriou, PGA
www.ocngolf.com
PGA Center for Golf
Learning and Performance
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Owner: PGA of America
GM: Joe Hallett, PGA
Dir. of Instruction: Joe Hallett, PGA
www.pgalearningcenter.com
TopGolf Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Owner: TopGolf USA/
Golf Entertainment Int’l
GM: Dan Dotson
Dir. of Golf: Mark Walker
www.topgolf.com
TopGolf Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
Owner: TopGolf USA/Golf
Entertainment Int’l.
GM: Bob Dodson
Dir. of Instruction: Stephen Moskal
www.topgolf.com
Tupelo Bay Golf Center
Garden City, South Carolina
Owner: Partnership
GM: Rebecca Tucker
Dir. of Golf: Tupelo Bay Golf
Academy
www.tupelobay.com
THE TOP100
NORTHEAST
Alley Pond Golf CenterDouglaston, New York
Owner: Alley Pond Driving Range, Inc.GM: Young Park, Dir. of Golf: Young Park
www.alleypondgolfcenter.com
Branchburg Family Golf CenterBranchburg, New Jersey
Owner: John & Shannon HolodinskiGM: Randy Bartushak, Dir. of Golf: James Bryant
www.branchburggolf.net
Broadway Driving Range & Miniature GolfDepew, New York
Owner: Tom Straus, GM: Brian CreenanDir. of Golf: Broadway Team
Owner: JR Ables/Laurel Dieken, GM: JR Ables/Laurel Dieken, Dir. of
Golf: Laurel Dieken, LPGAwww.ablesgolf.com
Begin Oaks GolfPlymouth, Minnesota
Owner: Mrs. Betty Begin, GM: Judy-Begin-Sloan, Dir. of Golf: Ingrid
Gallo, LPGAwww.beginoaksgolf.com
Allseasons Golf Learning Center
Normal, IllinoisOwner: Tim Jones, GM: Eric
Miceletti, PGA, Dir. of Golf: Kenny Jacobs, PGA
www.allseasonsglc.com
2Club GolfMacedonia, Ohio
Owner: Partnership-John Hoover & Larry Saulino, GM: Larry Saulino
Dir. of Golf: Bob Short, PGAwww.2clubgolf.com
Cog Hill Learning CenterLemont, Illinois
Owner: Frank Jemsek, GM: Pat Sexton, Dir. of Golf: Jeff
Rimsnider, PGAwww.coghillgolf.com
Different Strokes Golf CenterLouisville, Kentucky
Owner: Different Strokes Golf, Inc.GM: Tony Williams, Dir. of Golf: Ted
Beckman, PGAwww.dsgolfcenters.com
Fairfield Golf CenterFairfield, Ohio
Owner: The Kocheck Family, GM: Michael Kocheck, Dir. of Golf:
Randy Neufarth, PGAwww.fairfieldgolfcenter.com
Family Golf Learning CentreOakville, Ontario, Canada
Owner: Larry Armatage , GM: Larry Armatage, Dir. of Golf: Angelo
Puma, CPGAwww.familygolfoakville.com
Family Golf ParkKansas City, Missouri
Owner: Golf Park Inc., GM: Mike Slaven
Dir. of Golf: Bob Coleman, PGAwww.FamilyGolfPark.com
The First TeeSt. Louis, Missouri
Owner: Bob & Paul HedigerGM: Rich Meyer, Dir. of Golf: Dean
Frankiewicz, PGAwww.thefirstteestlouis.org
Golf Center Des PlainesDes Plaines, Illinois
Owner: Des Plaines Park District, GM: Jennifer Boys Facility Supervisor: Doug Dohlen
Dir. of Golf: GolfTec www.thegolfcenter.org
Golf Center at Michigan State University
East Lansing, MichiganOwner: Michigan State Univ., GM:
Steve Ruthenberg, Dir. of Golf: John Dal Corobbo, PGA, Dir. of
Instruction: Steve Ruthenberg,PGAwww.golfmsu.msu.edu
Golf NationPalatine, Illinois
Owner: Bob DiMeo, GM: Tim Wuhrman, Dir. of Golf:
Todd Sones Impact Golfwww.golfnation.us
Granville GolflandGranville, Ohio
Owner: Jeff Jackson/Joe Giles, GM: Jeff Jackson/Joe Giles,
Dir. of Golf: N/Awww.granvillegolfland.com
Kansas Sports CenterLenexa, Kansas
Owner: GCK Mgmt., Inc.-Tom Kelly, Pres., GM: Tom Kelly, Dir. of Golf:
Tom Kelly, PGAwww.kansassportscenter.com
Links & Tees Golf FacilityAddison, Illinois
Owner: Addison Park DistrictGM: Charles Sims, Dir. of Golf: Golf
Academywww.addisonparkdistrict.org
The Links at Ireland GroveBloomington, IL
Owner: The Links PartnersGM: Jeff Hunt, Dir. of Golf: Tina
Lindsey, LPGAwww.thelinksatirelandgrove.com
Man ‘O War GolfLexington, Kentucky
Owner: Partnership Group, GM: Brad Bachand, PGA, Dir. of Golf:
Brad Bachand, PGAwww.manowargolf.com
Maumee SportsmallMaumee, Ohio
Owner: Bob Mix, Mix Enterprises, GM: Todd Bloom, Dir. of Golf: Frank
Hesselbart,PGAwww.maumeesportsmall.com
Meadow Links and Golf AcademyCincinnati, Ohio
Owner: Hamilton County Park District, GM: Doug Stultz, PGA,
Manager: Matt StarrDir. of Golf: Doug Stultz, PGA
www.greatparks.org
Miles of GolfYpsilanti, Michigan
Owner: Chris Mile & Doug DavisGM: Casey Baker,
Dir. of Golf: Dave Kendall, PGAwww.milesofgolf.com
Missing Links Golf CenterMequon, Wisconsin
Owner: Peter Epperson, GM: Peter Epperson,
Dir. of Golf: Tim Grogan, PGAwww.missinglinksmequon.com
Nick’s Golf CenterElkhart, Indiana
Owner: Nick Marucci, GM: Nick Marucci
Dir. of Golf: Chris Boothwww.nicksgolf.com
Otte Golf CenterIndianapolis, IndianaOwner: Frank Otte, GM: Terry Sherard
Dir. of Golf: Scott Rockwell, PGAwww.ottegolf.com
Perche Creek Golf CenterColumbia, Missouri
Owner: Richard, Peggy and
Jake Poe, GM: Jake Poe,
Dir. of Golf: Dennis Goettel, PGA
www.perchecreek.com
Robin Nigro Golf CenterKansas City, Missouri
Owner: Mark Nigro,
GM: Mark Nigro,
Dir. of Golf: Robin Nigro, LPGA
www.robinnigrogolf.com
Skokie Sports Park Skokie, Illinois
Owner: Skokie Park District
GM: Richard Lee, Dir. of Golf: Chris
Pytell, PGA
www.skokieparkdistrict.org
Tower Tee Golf CenterSt. Louis, Missouri
Owner: Stephen Lotz, PGA, GM:
Debbie Gruenewald, Dir. of Golf:
Stephen Lotz, PGA
www.towertee.com
Vitense GolflandMadison, Wisconsin
Owner: Joel Weitz, PGA, GM: Missy
Dickson, Dir. of Golf: Joel Weitz, PGA
www.vitense.com
Westerville Golf CenterWesterville, Ohio
Owner: Erich Gaiser, PGA,
GM: Bill Knipe,
Dir. of Golf: Bob Brokaw, PGA
www.westervillegolf.com
Wildcat Creek Golf and FitnessManhattan, Kansas
Owner: Kevin and Beth Fateley
GM: Kevin Fateley, Dir. of Golf:
Larry Becraft
www.wildcatgolfandfitness.com
Zigfield Troy Golf Woodridge, Illinois
Owner: The Troy Family, GM: Dennis
& Tim Troy, PGA, Dir. of Golf: Dennis
& Tim Troy, PGA
www.zigfieldtroygolf.com
MIDWEST
22 wintER 2011 golf range magazine
THE TOP100
January Orange County Convention Center | Orlando, Fla.
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WEST
Bear Creek Golf ComplexChandler, Arizona
Owner: Partn. GM: Jeff Huseman, Dir. of Golf:
Barnett, PGA
www.bearcreekaz.com
Tom Barber Golf Center Moorpark, California
Owner: Tom Barber/Roger Barber & Partners
GM: Roger Barber, PGA, Dir. of Golf: Tom Barber, PGA
www.teeclub.com/Courses/TomBarberGC.asp
Callaway Golf CenterLas Vegas, Nevada
Owner: Boreta Enterprises, GM: Robert Gonzalez
Dir. of Golf: Eric Meeks
www.callawaygolfcenter.com
Carlsbad Golf CenterCarlsbad, California
Owner: Susan Roll, PGA & LPGA/Dana Chaiken
GM: Mug Ogg , Dir. of Golf: Susan Roll
www.carlsbadgolfcenter.com
Columbia Super RangeEverett, Washington
Owner: The Oskoui Family/Columbia Athletic Club
GM: Hamid Tabrizzi, Dir. of Golf: Steve Reuhl, PGA
www.columbiaathletic.com
CrackerJax Sports ParkScottsdale, Arizona
Owner: Select Situations, GM: J.P. Mullan
Operations Manager: Sharee Swander
Dir. of Golf: Ben Sauls
www.crackerjax.com
Del Mar Golf CenterDel Mar, California
Owner: 22nd District Agricultural Assoc.-San Diego
Fairgrounds, GM: Matthew Clay, Dir. of Operations:
Levi Kealaluhi, Dir. of Golf: Bob Bellisi, PGA
www.delmargolfcenter.com
Eaglequest Golf Center at CoquitlamVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Owner: Nawaz Hirji , GM: Peter Moore
Dir. of Golf: Trevor Woynarski, CPGA
www.eaglequestgolf.com
Eaglequest Golf Center at Coyote CreekSurrey, British Columbia Canada
Owner: Nawaz Hirji , GM: Blair Elder
Dir. of Golf: Dave Crosby, CPGA
www.eaglequestgolf.com
Fiddler’s Green Eugene, Oregon
Owner: The Whalan Family, GM: Alan Whalan
Dir. of Golf: Doug DuChateau, PGA
www.fiddlersgreen.com
The First Tee of Coachella ValleyPalm Desert, California
Owner: Desert Recreation District
GM: Glen Miller, CGCS, Dir. of Golf: The First Tee Staff
www.thefirstteecoachellavalley.org
Haggin Oaks Golf ComplexSacramento, California
Owner: Ken Morton, Sr., GM: Mike Woods
VP Retail/Marketing: Ken Morton, Jr.
Dir. of Golf: Mike Woods, PGA
www.hagginoaks.com
Highland Pacific GolfVictoria, British Columbia, Canada
Owner: Goodwill Investment Ltd., GM: Doug
Hastie, Dir. of Instruction: Doug Hastie, CPGA
www.highlandpacificgolf.com
The Hodges Golf CenterEscondido, California
Owner: Pak and Park LLC
GM: Heena Kim, Dir. of Golf: Jey Bacani, PGA
www.thehodgesgolf.com
Interbay Golf CenterSeattle, Washington
Owner: City of Seattle, GM: Premier Golf Centers/
Jim Sprague, Dir. of Golf: Ron Hanson, PGA
www.premiergc.com
Mariners Point Golf LinksFoster City, California
Owner: VB Golf, Inc., GM: Chris Aliaga
Dir. of Instruction: Joby Ross, PGA
www.marinerspoint.com
McInnis Park Golf CenterSan Rafael, California
Owner: Town of San Rafael, GM: Bruce Wilmott,
PGA, Dir. of Golf: Bruce Wilmott, PGA
www.mcinnisgolfcenter.com
Pin High Golf CenterAlviso, California
Owner: Don Rumpf, GM: Don Rumpf
Dir. of Golf: N/A
www.pinhighgolfcenter.com
RCGA Golf Centre at Four SeasonsCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Owner: Royal Canadian Golf Association
GM: Chad Rufnak, Dir. of Golf: Jay Myren, CPGA
www.rcga.org
RedTail Golf CenterBeaverton, Oregon
Owner: Red Tail Golf, LLC., GM: Craig Zimmerman
Dir. of Golf: RedTail Golf Academy
www.golfredtail.com
River Park Golf CenterFresno, California
Owner: Gerald Chow
GM: Gerald Chow/Chris Doos
Dir. of Golf: Chris Doos , European PGA
www.riverparkgolf.com
Stadium Golf CenterSan Diego, California
Owner: Barry Mahlberg /
Managing Partner, GM: Monty Leong
Dir. of Golf: Scott Mahlberg
www.stadiumgolf.com
Tacoma Firs Golf CenterTacoma, Washington
Owner: Mike Givens , GM: Mike Givens
Dir. of Golf: Mike Givens
www.tacomafirsgolfcenter.com
Tualatin Island GreensTualatin, Oregon
Owner: Chuck Thomas & Charlie Johnson
GM: Chuck Thomas, Dir. of Golf: Craig
Griswold,PGA & Garret Koster, PGA
www.tualatinislandgreens.com
Trails End Golf CenterOregon City, Oregon
Owner: J.D. Shin and James Kyung
GM: Thomas Shin, Dir. of Golf: Jari Hakonen
www.trailsendgolf.com
Valley Golf CenterAvondale, Arizona
Owner: Kevin O’Connell
GM: Tim Farrell
Dir. of Instruction: Rich Oldenburg, PGA
www.valleygolfcenteraz.com
24 wintER 2011 golf range magazine
THE TOP100
PORTFOLIO THE TOP 100 GOLF RANGES IN AMERICA 2011
26 wintER 2011 golf range magazine
2Club Golf macedonia, ohio
A new entry into the Top 100, 2Club Golf is a combination of a full service golf range (26 covered stalls) with a technology fitting center with Vec-tor Launch Monitors and a short course with 27 holes. The 2Club Golf concept can be traced to Ireland, where there are more than 250 “pitch and putt” courses The concept has spread to Europe, Canada, Australia, and Southeast Asia. 2Club Golf is “Americanizing” the concept and introducing it to the U.S. Each facility will have bent grass greens and blue grass tees, with holes 35 to 88 yards in length.
Broadway Driving Range & Miniature Golf depew, new york
A “mom and pop” type of operation in the best sense-first time Top 100 entry through the tireless dedication of owner Tom Straus. The 26-acre facility offers a golf range with both grass tees and mats; a site-specific miniature golf course with an old farm theme complete with a barn built in 1932 as the centerpiece and plenty of interesting old farm tools. Beautiful views and Green Acres Ice Cream on site as well.
The Golf Club At Chelsea Piers new york, new york
The first “Super-Range” built in the USA; Japanese multi-tier ranges heavily influenced the design of the Golf Club at Chelsea Piers. Auto-mated tee-up equipment was installed by Sunaga of Japan and the 153-foot towers and netting was the largest job of its kind when it was built in the mid-1990’s. 4-tiers and 52 stalls, meeting space, pro shop, indoor golf simulators, 2,000 sq. ft golf academy with 12 instructors. The clubhouse, built within an old shipping pier terminal was designed to look like the iconic Shinnecock Hills clubhouse on Long Island.
Begin Oaks Golf, plymouth, minnesota
Begin Oaks has a mid-length golf course is just under 3,000 yards long and is comprised of seven par 4’s and two par 3’s. The golf course was founded by Jerome and Betty Begin. As a legacy to the Begin family name, they have elected to allow one of their farms to be enjoyed by many. The golf driving range facility features a large lighted grass teeing area. The practice facility includes the driving range and two pitching, chipping and putting greens. PGA and LPGA offer lessons.
Brookstone Golf & Range derry, new hampshire
Located in southern New Hampshire, this is a real public gem. Features a Par 3 golf course as well as a wonderfully designed 18-hole mini golf course. The course was chosen 2006 & 2007 NH Magazine’s Editor’s Pick for a 9-hole course. 2008 Best of the Best . There are extensive banquet and food service options as well as part of the facility. The course and range were designed by Howard Mauer Design Group.
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PORTFOLIO
28 wintER 2011 golf range magazine
Golf Nation palatine,illinois
Golf Nation is one of the most interesting facilities in the USA. It has combined state-of-the-art in golf training with both indoor and outdoor range options; the 25,000 sq. ft center also includes an extensive Fitness Club with cardio equipment such as treadmills, bikes and stair climbers, strength training area and yoga and exercise studio. Golf Nation features a full-service golf academy and also arranges many social events during the week. It’s a fine example of a golf-fitness center hybrid.
Leatherman Golf Learning Center charlotte, north carolina
Opened as the Michael Jordan Golf Center in 1999, now owned and operated by Chris Leatherman, PGA. The facility features miniature golf and a full service pro shop. Golfers can pick from several mem-bership programs starting at $899 a year for unlimited golf. The facil-ity recently installed 34 automated, fully adjustable tee stations from Power Tee. There is also a large natural Bermuda grass hitting area.
Eaglequest Golf Center at Coquitlam, VancouVer, British columBia, canada
Eaglequest Golf Centers is one of the largest golf course & range owner/operators in Canada. They have six sites in British Colombia, Alberta and Nova Scotia. The Coquitlan site in BC features a 27-hole short course as well as a 2-tier range. It was the 2009 finalist for the Tri-Cities Business Excellence Award by the Chamber of Commerce. They were the original site that branded and marketed “Learn, Practice and Play”
The First Tee, st. louis, missouri
Originally built in 1997, Bob Hediger and his brother Paul acquired the facility in 2005 and made dramatic improvements. The main clubhouse was refurbished and the tee line was covered and lighted. The landing area was re-landscaped and in the process 50,000 plugged range balls were discovered! Set on 14 acres there are nearly 60 tees with 22 of them covered. There are plans expand into miniature golf in the near future.
Randall’s Island Golf Center, new york, new york
When you operate a golf range in NYC it better be hip, cool and well appointed. Run by Kelley Brooke, Randall’s Island is located just outside of Manhattan but manages to bring loads of golfers over via shuttle buses and all sorts of special events. Amenities include: 78 hitting stalls on two levels, grass tee, 36 holes of miniature golf, a short game area with a bunker. Batting cages, beer garden and grill, WiFi patio and lounge and a 4,000 sq. ft special events tent like the one in the photo. Great city views and a country club setting that they management group has been cultivating over the past decade.
THE TOP 100 GOLF RANGES IN AMERICA 2011
THE TOP 100 GOLF RANGES IN AMERICA 2011 PORTFOLIO THE TOP 100 GOLF RANGES IN AMERICA 2011RedTail Golf Center, beaverton, oregon
One of the best facilities one will find. A Top 100 for many years every year brings new profit centers and technology ideas. In 2011 they opened a state-of-the–art clubfitting and lesson center. They now have 14 bays all inclusive of Trackman Launch Monitors, V1 Pro Video Analy-sis and Dual display 42” Flat Screen monitors. They are one of the first to have this technology installed in the U.S. This was a major invest-ment, but they are very enthusiastic with the results thus far.
Sun N’ Air Driving Range & Learning Center danvers, massachusetts
Sun N’ Air features a golf range, teaching academy and 3-hole’ Practice Loop’ which functions as a warm-up to a regulation round; a stepping stone for new players entering the sport and/or a training ground for “playing lessons” from the pros. This facility is certainly one of the best in the greater Boston area and has been a Top 100 year in and year out. Clubfitting makes extensive use of Flightscope equipment. Like many of our top facilities they have been out in front with social media using Facebook and Twitter.
Valley Golf Center, avondale, arizona
What was once a rural 13.5 acre site with a simple range and small pro shop called Kachina Fairways is now within eyesight of the newish Uni-versity of Phoenix stadium (site of a recent Super Bowl). Over time the site has morphed to include a 10,000 sq. ft retail shop and just recently a massive build-out of a two-tier range with artificial turf landing area; 60 tee-station ball management and automated tee-up system by Range Automation Systems and a oscillating fan-driven misting system by MistAmerica.
River Park Golf Center fresno, california
One of the best in the “Valley”. River Park has a tidy 9-hole course, a full range using Precept balls with seven target greens and a combination of covered tees and hybrid Bermuda grass tees. River Park’s Green Grass Club allows golfers to use a private practice area for $500. Also part of the program is unlimited golf before 1pm weekdays, private range tee, $200 range credit, unlimited use of the short game area and special member events and clinics.
Hackers Golf Park, statesboro, georgia
The new 42,000 sq ft. addition is now open. ‘The Clubhouse’ has added a full FEC element to Hackers. Now patrons will find laser tag, arcades, a full 160-seat restaurant, and bowling lanes-2o lanes of bowling with four private lanes and several mini-lanes as well. All of this along with the 30–acre range featuring a miniature golf course; ATEC batting cages and a well maintained golf practice facility.
golf range magazine 29winter 2011
A mong my favorite aspects of the golf industry are those individuals who have not only made their livelihoods in this
business but have also given back to those with limited access to the sport. Chi Chi Rodriquez is one of those people who come to mind. A native of Puerto Rico, who got his start caddying, Chi Chi earned a reputation as one of the most colorful touring pros on the PGA Tour. He won 8 times on the PGA Tour and has 22 Senior Tour wins to date. In 1992 he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He’s always been a great entertainer on the course, but it may be off the course where he’s made the greatest personal impact on the game.
When Bill Hayes, a teacher, golfer and part-time detention officer invited Chi Chi to a juvenile detention center in Florida back in the late 1970’s to conduct a clinic for some of the youths there, Chi Chi had another idea. Enlisting the support of Bob James, a founder of Raymond James Financial, the three of them formed the Chi Chi Rodriquez Foundation. 2009 marked the 30th anniversary of the Chi Chi Academy and there are no indications of any slowing of activity. Academy projects are moving in several areas and one of the most ambitious is the renovation and additions being made to the Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex. This 30-acre multisport complex is at the former site of Countryside Golf & Learning Center. In 2009 the Academy’s board was able to take back the lease from the Countryside group who had leased it for 14 years. Cary Stiff, the Sr. Vice President and Director of Development mentioned that the site will have plenty of activities for families in the future including “volleyball courts, covered pavilion and miniature golf.”
Phase One, Phase Two, Phase ThreeAccording to James Poulter, the COO and director of Golf Operations for both the Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex and the Executive 18-hole golf course across the road (see aerial photo) the project in many ways is a partnership with the city of Clearwater, who offered incentives to the group. Poulter said that Phase 1 is now complete. Originally estimated at $500,000 over two years, the group invested an initial $170,000 and supplemented that with $220,000 of in-kind support. The entire 13,000 sq-ft. tee line has been renovated with a new natural grass tee line to augment the 50 hitting stalls.
“Much the equipment at the facility, including the mats have come from Easy Picker Golf,” according to Poulter. A 1.25-acre short game area with practice bunkers and putting green has also been built. The landing area is fully lighted and includes several target greens. The 5,700 sq.-ft. main clubhouse was renovated as well. Improvements include re-cladding the old wood siding with concrete, exterior painting, installing a new roof and bringing the building up to ADA code. The short game area (see photos) includes two putting greens as well as a bunker practice area with 3 bunkers.
Poulter mentioned that Phase Two includes a Batting Cage complex. They are looking at building a 9-bay unit that will appeal to groups, little league teams and summer academies. “We’ve been talking with the ‘Tampa Bay Rays of Hope’ about ways that this non-profit group might get involved in some capacity with the complex. Nevada-based ATEC Sports has been selected to provide the turnkey batting cage operations that will include a variety of multi-speed and multi-pitch equipment. There will also be a cage dedicated to T-ball. “We want this facility to be a true family destination, so we have selected a variety of amenities for the entire community,” adds Poulter. The goal for Phase Two is to complete by the end of 2011. A major part of Phase Three will be to add a full, 18-hole miniature golf course. Poulter arrived on the scene several years back from his native England and worked with The First Tee of Clearwater running summer camps and also volunteering as part of the mentoring program. He’s got a full plate with this site and is also helping to plan the Chi Chi Golf Fest that is scheduled mid-March.
Teaching & Training15 of the 50 hitting bays are covered by a CoverShots Mobile canopy system facilitated by the support of the Dean Hedstrom Foundation for Melanoma Awareness. Hedstom was a noted PGA pro who lost a two-year battle with Melanoma in 2009. Teaching bays are manned by two PGA pros at the time of this article. They are Tony Simpson and Dave Pederson.
Something Different-Paintball Fields at the ComplexClearwater Paintball, run by John Gross, developed a 6-acre paintball field at the site. Gross, in the industry for 25 years,
Giving Back to the Game- Chi Chi Rodriguez FoundationBy Diane Lily
PROFILEFacility
The Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex
Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex Clearwater, Florida
golf range magazine3030 winter 2011
The Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex (right) and the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club (left)
has developed several paintball fields in the Clearwater area and officially opened this site this past October. The facility has its own pavilion and check-in site. Gross designed his field to take advantage of the natural topography including some woods. He also constructed faux walls that are moveable as well as mock-ups of tanks and armored cars. “We’ve hosted groups as large as 200 people at one of our other sites. For one event we had six Greyhound buses with employees from Schindler Elevator come in for a fully catered event not so long ago,” says Gross. He also adds that groups have rented lights for nighttime activities. Basic rates are $45 for entry that comes with 500 paintballs that usually lasts for 2 to 4 hours of activities. For groups of four or more the rates drop to $35 per person. ●
Chi Chi Golf & Family Sports Complex Clearwater, Florida
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A top-notch golf facility- be it a golf range, 18-hole course or Short Course is like a fine
Swiss watch. When things are working properly, the motion is flawless. Cus-tomers stream in at the right pace and everything runs with precision timing. In any business, time is money, and that is especially true when it comes to driv-ing ranges, where time is precious and needs to be managed wisely. No matter what type of business you run, be it a stand-alone range or an all-inclusive FEC, your business can benefit from filling those off-peak hours. Making even small changes in those off hours can boost facility revenues significantly.
Timing is EverythingThe first step toward making revenue-enhancing changes involves taking a long, hard look at your current num-bers. Chances are, you already know the answer to these important questions: What are your heaviest volume days and times? What is your busiest time of year? Who uses your range facility the most? Range owners in colder climates know that weather is the ultimate vari-able in how much down-time a facility will have. Having a good handle on the time-related aspects of your facility will allow you to tailor your activities and promotions to grow your business in just the right way.
Making the most of a short seasonDuring the times when your range is not busy, you need to consider a vari-ety of promotional activities designed to increase revenue from your range and encourage cross promotion for
other aspects of your business, i.e. retail shop or FEC attractions.
Budgeting for promotions doesn’t need to break the
bank. Many ideas often involve very little
additional expen-ditures, and can
yield great profits. In one such promo-tion, an Unlimited Range Member-ship Program, guests hit all the balls they wanted during specific off-peak months. To keep them returning, and to entice new guests, your facility can offer added incentives throughout the off-peak season. For example, if a guest brings a new guest to hit a bucket, the new guest gets a free bucket of balls for the range, and the original guest receives an incentive or reward, such as
a discount in the pro shop. An effective variation on the above program involves enrolling unlimited range memberships, but for shorter periods of time, i.e. five, four or three months at a time. Many mid-Atlantic courses have successfully utilized this membership option during the winter months. In some cases it has been combined with the regular mem-bership as a special promotion targeted to select customers. As with the yearly program, the winter program helps to provide off-season cash flow.
Another variation on these plans involves creating yearly range mem-berships paid in annual, quarterly or monthly installments. Management of a US short course reported that, on average, 90 people per month enrolled in its Unlimited Range program, gen-erating $6,750 in monthly revenue, or $81,000 annually. This guaranteed revenue stream was particularly helpful during its slow business periods.
Long-time, still seeRepeat customers are a range’s biggest asset. One way to keep those valuable
guests is to begin a loyalty program at your facility. There are numerous ways to reward loyalty, while building your profitability. Some involve rewarding hours of play or numbers of visits. For those programs, customers are rewarded based upon an established schedule of play, i.e. for every ten buckets of balls, the customer gets an additional bucket free. Other loyalty programs make use of cross promotions involving the entire facility.
At a multi-faceted site in Pennsyl-vania, the customer loyalty program worked like this: For each dollar spent on range balls, members were awarded one membership point, redeemable at a future time for pro shop merchandise. The program created value for the site in several ways. It generated repeat sales, as members attempted to reach estab-lished point plateaus and it increased consumer traffic in the pro shop. Addi-tionally, through effective merchandis-ing techniques, pro shop staff members were able to recommend high-margin items like clothing, and impulse items like tees or gloves. This facility saw 18% in revenues associated with loyalty pro-gram purchases.
Profiting from GroupsAn astute range owner will take the time to identify key community groups, businesses or schools that can provide a steady customer base for his or her facility. One effective way to get started on building key partnerships is by look-ing at the surrounding community. How many men’s and women’s golf
The A-B-C’s of marketing
Make Revenue-Enhancing Changes It’s Time to Focus on Groups
marketing
By Sheryl Bindelglass
golf range magazine32
Repeat customers are a range’s biggest asset. One way to keep those valuable guests is to begin a loyalty program at your facility.
teams exist in surrounding universities and high schools? Often, more than a dozen potential school partnerships are within a ten-mile radius of your facility. You can build long-term relationships with these area schools by offering discount packages for range practice or official play, and by providing incentives for team play at other times throughout the year. These partnerships also impact pro shop sales, which will increase with the addition of team merchandise. In addition, your facility will benefit from team loyalty, i.e. family members of the various teams who will frequent the facility because of its support of the student teams. Student members will continue to support the facility with future business as a result of loyal feel-ings created while they played there on the school team.
Beyond school groups, there are many other organizations you should target to increase your potential groups sales, for example, youth sports teams, community and non-profit groups, col-leges and trade schools, service clubs, businesses and corporations.
Developing an outing crash course is another effective way to bring new customers and create repeat customers for your facility. Most major corpora-tions, along with large hospitals, banks and other businesses host golf outings for their clients or their employees. Hosting a crash course before the out-ings generates great opportunity for sales. Providing the tournament with a door prize can gain positive publicity and the potential to generates additional income. One way to reach out to cor-porate and business partners is by offer-ing a tournament or product showcase event exclusively for them. Invite cor-porate leaders, past tournament coor-dinators and area event chairpersons to your course for a sneak preview of the products that you can provide for their tournaments. Your involvement in this kind of community support will pro-mote your site, enhance your image and increase your sales. Since the cost of any of these incentives is minimal, you can consider them to be a sound investment in your future business.
Donations are another sound invest-ment often overlooked by range owners. By being a good neighbor and assisting local charitable organizations in their fundraising efforts, you can increase
your future business and create loyal customers. Whether you receive 40 or 400 requests for donations each year, look carefully at every request and find the best way to help the organization meet its goals. Most often, the donation you make will be converted into a sale in your pro shop or a visit to your range. Not certain how to get rid of old prod-uct like that shirt that you could not sell over the past three years? Try bundling the item with a certificate for your shop and offer that as a prize for a donation request. Filling donation requests costs very little and provides an excellent opportunity to turn donations into dollars.
Take time to teachOne sure-fire way to create future customers is to offer an array of golf schools and clinics. Through these pro-grams, beginners are exposed to all aspects of the game including the swing techniques, golf equipment and termi-nology. The goal is to create and foster a passion for the game that will contin-ue for a lifetime and build a relationship with your facility.
There are many options for types of schools that can fit well with any range. Junior schools are a profitable way to create future players and involve entire families as current customers. Offer-ings can include parent/child clinics, women’s only schools, camps and clinics organized by age level or ability – the combinations are endless. Programs can include a certificate for a shop discount, or an appointment for custom fit clubs.
Vendor-sponsored clinics or mini-schools are a win-win-win situation for your range. They offer exposure for the vendor, perks for the participants, and increased business for your range. Participants can receive sponsored mer-chandise, get pointers on their game and have access to the latest equip-ment and techniques. Vendor-sponsored contests can be held for junior golfers. These events make a lasting impression: from the priceless expressions on the children’s faces as they saw their names on the scoreboard, to the increase in sales, lessons and driving range play at your facility.
Time is MoneyMaking the most of your down-time, building community partnerships
increasing your “group effort” and max-imizing golf school opportunities will bring increased play to your facility and higher profit to your bottom line. Range owners need to make the most of the times the facility is open, and offer a variety of ways to get and keep customers. Customers need to feel that their time is valued and that they are getting a good deal for their money. Implementing just a few of the ideas presented will go a long way toward creating a facility with satisfied custom-ers and steady numbers. That’s time well spent. l
I n my capacity as President of Golf Range Magazine and the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) I’ve had a chance to visit interesting destinations that tieback to golf. In the early
days of this magazine, I arranged a trip to Japan for GRAA members and suppliers to visit golf ranges and attend the International Golf Range Fair that was an annual event in Tokyo. About ten years ago Golf Range Magazine was invited to Thailand to speak at the Asian Golf Show and later attended the European Golf Expo in Spain. Just a few months ago, I was invited to visit Colombia to see some of that country’s golf infrastructure and other attractions..
The trip was eye-opening and delightful. Eye-opening in the sense that what I found was calm political waters and a populace ready to crank up tourism and business. After years of dealing with
Colombia: a Sleeping giant awakenS
Spotlight on Colombia: Special Visit by Steve di Costanzo from Golf Range Magazine
the FARC anti-government guerillas and drug cartel-related violence, I’m happy to report that Colombia is on the cusp of something very special. Since the 2002 election of the current president Alvaro Uribe, violence has all but subsided.
In a country where it seems everyone has a personal story about those dark years, there is a collective sense of optimism that is downright palpable. My trip was arranged through representatives from Proexport Colombia, a government group tasked with fostering more tourism and travel to Colombia. Over the course of several days I was able to visit a number of golf facilities: everything from private country clubs located in the heart of Bogota (like the beautiful Country Club of Bogota that was started in 1917 and hosted last year’s Pacific Rubiales Bogota Open on the Nationwide Tour) to courses just outside the city like Club Campestre La Sabana and Club Rincon de Cajica.
I was able to also visit a cool 2-level golf range and academy called Instituto Salud Coop de Golf. My stay in Bogota included many cups of amazing coffee and the famous cable car ride up to the top of 10,000 ft. Monseratte, which stands guard over this fascinating and cosmopolitan town. Would you believe me if I said I visited a Catholic Cathedral (to atone for any golf sins committed) that has been carved out of a de-commissioned salt mine? Never seen anything like it in my life. Just go to the website of the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira and see for yourself.
But back to golf. Additional representatives of Proexport from the city of Bucaramanga met me there after a 3o minute flight from Bogota. Bucaramanga is called the “City of Parks” and the locals say that every day brings perfect weather. Rang true to me. The headquarters for golf in this town is art deco-inspired Club Campestre Bucaramanga, a golf, tennis, pool and hotel complex that just celebrated its 50th anniversary. Out the gates and next-door is the bustling golf center that is open to the public.
When I was there I was able to see a busy after-school golf program for elementary-aged kids. Somewhere in this group might have been a future Camilio Villegas or Maria Jose Uribe, the reigning golf ambassadors of Colombian professional golf. You’ll see photos of many of these facilities mentioned in this article including a wonderful teaching pro by the name of William Cordero, who worked his way up through the caddy ranks and is now giving so much back to the game of golf in Colombia. ●
(left to right): Tee line at Bucaramanga Golf Center, William Cordero, and Youth clinic Bucaramanga
County Club de Bogota
golf range magazine 35winter 2011
the tee line small talk with golf people
T im Deighan, 52, has been involved in the golf business for many years, mainly restoring and manufactur-
ing golf balls from his mid-state Ohio plant, Sunset Golf LLC in tiny Loudonville, Ohio.
Since he and his brother, Dan, bought the company in 2003, they have been involved in all facets of the golf ball business. They are manufacturing two-piece golf balls (one of the few companies left doing that in the U.S.), selling new and refinished balls, and refurbishing barely used balls that have been lost in the water into used and refinished balls.
He’s even become one of the largest supplier of colored miniature golf balls for mini-golf facilities located all over the country.
But over the last couple of years, he’s found a niche in the golf range business which has never been tried before on this scale, but has the potential to benefit ranges everywhere.
Sunset began to restore and refinish used range balls to a like new condition, saving range owners from having to buy new balls every year.
Using their new technique, Sunset can take old range balls and restore them to a like new condition in two weeks, extending their life for another year or more.
Because of his new and unique niche in the range industry, Golf Range asked Deighan, who lives in Cleveland but travels extensively with his new range ideas, to assess the golf range business and the golf industry for 2011.
It’s a unique insight from a unique individual talking about why his business survived in the U.S., while others fled. Plus, his idea to save range owners money and clean up the environment at the same time, and his all-around golf experience, helped his own golf game. Read and enjoy as we start another Golf Range year.
GOLF RANGE: Your website says you’re one of the only golf ball manufacturers still left in the U.S., can that be correct?
TIM DEIGHAN: We are the only private label golf ball manufac-turer left in the U.S. It’s pretty sad, really.
GOLF RANGE: Why is that?
TIM DEIGHAN: A lot of reasons. Most of the work has been shipped over to Asia, where they have a lot of labor advantages. Did you know that all the components needed to make a golf ball are US based? Companies buy what they need to make them here, molds,
etc., and then ship them overseas to be manufactured.
GOLF RANGE: Doesn’t that sound like a lot of extra work?
TIM DEIGHAN: I buy it here and make it here. There aren’t many companies that still do that.
GOLF RANGE: Do you do all kinds of balls?
TIM DEIGHAN: We once made colored miniature golf balls for all over the world. Now, they’re flooding in from Asia. 10 years we had 125 people working 24 hours a day, now we are down to 20. But we’re still plugging along and we’ve still got some good and new ideas.
GOLF RANGE: How did you got involved with Sunset Golf Balls?
TIM DEIGHAN: Well, they have been making golf balls since the 1980s and my brother Dan and myself purchased them in 2003. We have been involved in the golf business before, working with refur-bishing golf balls people hit in the water, grading and sorting them plus doing other things in the golf business. We thought this would be a good opportunity.
GOLF RANGE: Are you both connected to the mid-Ohio area?
TIM DEIGHAN: You know Loudonville, Ohio, is a very small, but proud area, which has been involved in the golf business for a long time. My brother Dan lives in the area and is at the plant all the time. I live in Cleveland and I’m there a couple times a week, but also travel all the time as well.
GOLF RANGE: What did you think of the golf range business when you got into it?
TIM DEIGHAN: Very interesting, but with a chance for a lot of potential. They got hit hard like a lot of people have over the last couple of years, but we’ve come up with a system to help them out.
GOLF RANGE: What kind of system?
TIM DEIGHAN: In 2008-2009, we found we could recondition and re-finish range balls instead of the owners having to buy new dozens every year or having to throw out the old balls and creating a giant ecology problem. That was a great discovery for us and some-thing we felt could help anybody.
GOLF RANGE: What kind of feedback have you gotten?
TIM DEIGHAN: It’s been very good; mostly surprised nobody has come up with this before. Golf ranges have two basic questions. How will the ball look? How long will it last? Once we show them it’s no different, it’s something they want to do. After we explain the system, most people see it as a no-brainer.
GOLF RANGE: What do you mean?
TIM DEIGHAN: If you put a refinished and reconditioned range ball right next to a new ball, you could not tell the difference. The reconditioned ball will last an extra 1 to 2 years instead of buying
Making Golf Balls Right Here in the USA Sunset Golf CEO Tim Deighan Q&ABy Art Stricklin
Tim Deighan, CEO of Sunset Golf, LLC
golf range magazine26 winter 2011
new every year. That in itself saves the range owners thousands of dollars, and saves them from having to throw out old balls.
GOLF RANGE: How does your system work?
TIM DEIGHAN: The process is the same for any type of ball the golf range has. Once the balls are sent in from the range, we wash them, strip the varnish off, paint, print and top it off with a special clear coat and you have an exactly new looking ball.
GOLF RANGE: What about the outside markings?
TIM DEIGHAN: We do it two ways. We can reprint exactly what was there to start with. Top-Flite has 80 percent of the market for range balls, so if you had Top-Flite on the ball to start with, we can restore a brand new looking branding. If you want the branding taken off, you can have a stripe put on it or for the ball to say some-thing like “Tim’s Golf Range”, or whatever, we can do that as well.
GOLF RANGE: So whatever the owner wants you can provide?
TIM DEIGHAN: Whatever you give us, that’s what you’re getting back, just newly conditioned and refinished.
GOLF RANGE: One of the things we always like to do in these interviews is get different people’s takes on the golf industry as a whole from their specific perspective. With the massive PGA Show in Orlando and the 2011 golf season about to unfold, how do you see the golf industry at this time?
TIM DEIGHAN: I see it as a little better than 2011. I think we’re headed slightly up in 2011, just from the people I’ve talked to and the places I’ve seen. I think the chances are it could be better this year and most people are projecting businesses to be up.
GOLF RANGE: How does that apply to golf ranges?
TIM DEIGHAN: People who are good and like to practice, those people never left the golf range. The parents who are teaching their kids to play golf and discovered you can hit a bucket of balls at some places for $5, and it only takes an hour, those people are a real growth opportunity for ranges.
GOLF RANGE: Are you seeing anything else for 2011?
TIM DEIGHAN: I think corporate outings are up, and people will use a range to do that. I just think corporate spending for golf will be up in 2011. Look at the automobile dealers that are back sponsoring PGA Tour events again.
GOLF RANGE: If somebody decides to try your new system to refinish and restore balls, how long does it take?
TIM DEIGHAN: About 2 weeks. It is very easy for the range. Besides boxing up the balls and sending them into us, the only step they need to do is pick the stripes or lettering they want on the balls. We send them a proof and the rest is done within a couple of weeks.
GOLF RANGE: Why is something like this important to a range?
TIM DEIGHAN: Really, image is everything to a golf range. Just like you’re always going to dress nice if you’re going to a new job interview, your golf ball is your resume for your golf range customer. Nobody is coming back to hit crummy, old golf balls, they want to hit something nice and clean. That’s what we’re offering them.’
GOLF RANGE: So why refinished and restored instead bought brand new?
TIM DEIGHAN: Just look at the way people treat shoes. If your shoes are scuffed or dull or a bit faded, do you take them off and throw them in the trash? No. You get them polished, restored and you’ve got a brand new looking set of shoes without buying a whole new pair. That’s exactly what we’re doing with range balls.
GOLF RANGE: Can this be a growth area for your established company?
TIM DEIGHAN: Absolutely it can. I think it can be 30 percent of our total company enterprises. Last year we refurbished 3 million
golf balls and 30 percent of those came from golf ranges. This year, we could add a half-million refinished and restored range balls. This spring, we’re going to add 10 workers, going three shifts to keep up with the demands.
GOLF RANGE: Being so involved in this new project, how much golf do you get to play yourself?
TIM DEIGHAN: Very little. We have to work while others are playing golf. I’m not a big golfer myself but my son plays golf at a Division II college, Walsh University, so I guess that takes care of the family. I’m not a big golfer myself. We have to work while others are playing golf.
GOLF RANGE: It sounds like a great niche to the golf market you’ve found, good luck.
TIM DEIGHAN: Thanks. We can also convert pond balls to range balls. 95 percent of range balls have a core and a cover. That’s what we’re looking for. Helping those people out in the industry, so we feel it’s a great situation for everyone. l
golf range magazine 37winter 2011
In 2008-2009, we found we could recondition and re-finish range balls instead of the owners having to buy new dozens every year or having to throw out the old balls and creating a giant ecology problem.
range & golf course equipment advertisers
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