For the first time, we added a Golf Entertainment category to honor those who have made great strides in off-course golfing venues. Golfinity won the top prize for its flagship location in Austin, Texas, by taking a high-level approach and making golf accessible to players of all shapes and sizes.
“Our overall vision is to remove barriers to the game of golf and make it all-inclusive and all-encompassing,” said owner Aaron Bergman. “We value making golf accessible by being a resource and service to our community at large.”
Winners were judged according to how well the vision of the project was executed, the course aesthetics, economic and environmental sustainability, course routing, and land usage. The judges were Darryl Bartlett, senior project manager at NMP Golf Construction Corp.; Casey Paulson, project president at Driftwood Golf and Ranch Club; Kevin Norby of Norby Golf Course Design; Mike Nuzzo of Nuzzo Course Design; and Tripp Davis, president of Tripp Davis and Associates.
(Excerpted from the May/June 2023 issue of Golf Inc.)
Click here to check out the winners for the Best Resort/Daily Fee courses and the Best Private courses.
FIRST PLACE
Golfinity
Austin, Texas
Owner/Developer: Aaron Bergman / Golfinity
Architects: HUO Architects
Contractor: A&A 1st Choice
Cost: About $6 million
Golfinity’s Austin location is the largest indoor golf facility in the United States. The two-story facility has 21 high-end golf simulators where golfers of all ages and skill levels can learn, practice and receive instruction from PGA-certified coaches.
The simulators offer a breadth of experiences, from simple driving ranges to simulations of more than 100 renowned golf courses around the globe. Each hitting bay collects hundreds of data points during play to help golfers improve their games.
The facility covers 20,000 square feet and includes a full restaurant and bar, along with hosting space for events.
Since its opening last July, Golfinity has averaged 600 golf lessons and 1,200 practice sessions a month.
The goal was to provide a safe haven for people to learn the game of golf without fear of judgment, and to grow the love of the game among golfers of all skill levels.
“We have reimagined what an indoor golf facility can be, but with a multidimensional atmosphere by encompassing a holistic approach, focusing on development, club services, dining and entertainment,” owner Aaron Bergman said. “We can achieve a country club experience for a tenth of the cost and be environmentally friendly.”
SECOND PLACE
East River 9
Houston, Texas
Owner/Developer: Midway
Architects: Smelek Design
Contractor: VM Golf
Cost: Not disclosed
The goal for East River 9 was to transform asphalt parking lots and abandoned concrete building foundations into a verdant links-style, 9-hole, par-3 golf course.
“We wanted to create the same visual and tactical variety that we would on any of our course designs while showcasing the bayou and the backdrop of the downtown skyline,” said architect Mike Smelek.
Smelek and his crew worked with the Riverhouse restaurant next door to design the outdoor entertainment spaces and incorporated two concrete storage bins into the design. One became the first tee, elevating its position to give a view of the whole course. The other became an elevated stage for the dining terrace with an accompanying pergola.
It was important to the developers to create a friendly environment for families with young children, so they installed an inverted artificial-turf cone for kids to play on that is ringed by a semicircular bar seating area for parents.
The property includes a practice range, pickleball courts and an entertainment terrace.
THIRD PLACE
Golfzon Social
West Nyack, New York
Owner/Developer: Golfzon & Troon
Architects: Bright Architecture
Contractor: Folor Construction
Cost: Not disclosed
Golfzon has long been a leader in golf simulators and used that experience to design a standalone facility.
The vision was to create a setting for visitors of skill levels and from all walks of life. Everything in the space was designed to foster a socially inclusive environment: 22 spacious simulator bays, wall-to-wall televisions, a centrally located bar with craft cocktails and beers, a chef-driven menu and numerous lounging areas for dining and socializing. It also has shuffleboard tables and cornhole boards.
The golf simulators allow users to play virtually on some of the world’s most famous courses while sharpening their skills using proprietary ball tracking technology.
The venue hosts indoor golf leagues for serious players, as well as more laid-back tournaments for friendly competition.
“It is designed to be extremely welcoming to all, from scratch golfers to those who have never touched a club,” said Tommy Lim, CEO of Golfzon America. “The stress-free environment features our award-winning TwoVision simulators . . . as well as an expansive menu of delicious food and beverage options. The vibe and offerings make it perfect for a date night, outing with friends, birthday parties, corporate gatherings and more.”