The international rollout of TopGolf continued earlier this month with the grand opening of the flagship American TopGolf Game Centre, just outside Washington DC. The event was attended by a full house of golf industry VIPs, corporate executives and media and marked the launch of US licensee Golf Entertainment International’s first U.S. TopGolf Game Centre, a $4.5 million state-of-the-art facility in Alexandria, Virginia.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by GEI chairman Rick Grogan, GEI COO Peter Allport and U.S. astronaut (and golf enthusiast) Paul Richards.
“The Washington area is the perfect location for introducing this new and innovative concept to Americans,” said Golf Entertainment International chairman Rick Grogan. “It’s a major cultural centre nationally and internationally, a major population centre, and lots of golf lovers and families looking for interesting leisure and entertainment options live in close proximity.
“Novices who’ve never picked up a club as well as near-scratch golfers who want detailed feedback on how to improve their game will find TopGolf to be exciting, challenging and rewarding.”
The U.S. TopGolf facility is also offering professional instruction through its TopGolf Academy. PGA certified professionals with exceptional experience will be available for affordable one-on-one as well as group lessons. TopGolf’s instruction programs are flexible, with both half hour lessons and full development programs available.
TopGolf utilises the I.D. Ball System developed and licensed globally by World Golf Systems Group, based in Watford, UK. TopGolf is a points-scoring golf game played with real clubs and premium golf balls containing tiny microchips personalized to each player that provide instant feedback on how far the player hits the ball and the accuracy of each shot when the ball lands in one of the targets. Target greens are situated between 25 and 240 yards from the bay.
Families or groups of friends can take part in a lively competition – based on who has the best score. Scores are posted on a large electronic leader board as well as relayed back to a flat screen monitor in the bay that provides instant feedback to players. And, unlike a driving range, where typically only one person stands in a bay at a time, the TopGolf bays can accommodate up to five people, making it a fun and inviting atmosphere for players of all ages and abilities.
A number of the world’s elite golfers have played at TopGolf’s three facilities in the UK, which each receive more than 600,000 customer visits every year. The U.S. TopGolf Game Centre, which actually opened its doors to the public in August, is off to an equally successful start and already has 10,000 club card holders. There are 78 heated and covered bays on two levels, together with a cafà©-bar area, conference room and a large retail outlet. The Centre can also accommodate business meetings and birthday celebrations. The first U.S. facility is located just a few miles from the U.S. Capital.
The Centre is the third to open around the world this summer with the first Asian Centre opening in Bangkok, Thailand in June and third UK facility opening in Addlestone, Surrey in July by the UK licensee Baydrive Group.
For further information about the TopGolf brand, technology, international rollout and licensing opportunities please see www.topgolf.com or call Gary Smith, Sales Development Manager, World Golf Systems on +44 (0) 1923 236324.
Global Edition
