GolfCourt anyone? An idea with real 'net' merit

Mike Dudurich

Posted 2009-10-25

Look around your town or city and if you don’t readily find a tennis court that’s greatly underused or overgrown, you’re in a rare locale.

Those tennis courts are the target of a creation known as the GolfCourt, by the combined efforts of Adventure Golf Services (www.adventureandfun.com) and aboutGolf (www.aboutGolf.com). The basis is a simple one, take an abandoned or underused tennis court and change it into a facility in which casual and not-so-casual golfers can indulge themselves in their favorite sport.

The GolfCourt standard model is made up of five driving stations, six chipping stations, a 1,300-square foot contoured putting area, retractable safety net separators, an overhead ball containment net and installation.

Options? How about the possibility of six bunker positions, PGA Tour Simulator and 3Trak launch monitors, putting turf upgrades, golf course surround graphics, bleachers, signs and even a clubhouse.

The vision is that GolfCourt will be used as an amenity or a profit center by hotels, resorts, parks, condo/timeshares, senior living facilities, school systems, the military, golf pros, golf courses and driving ranges.

The compact size will be a benefit in countries or cities with space limitations and where real golf courses or training facilities are logistically difficult to access.

“TheGolfCourt will help state, city and regional parks and recreation departments provide residents a new alternative to learn, practice and play golf – in a 2,700-square-foot area,” said Scott Lundmark, Director of Sales for Adventure Golf Services, located in Traverse City, Mich.

The facility is not limited to tennis courts, however. Empty buildings and vacant lots also can be converted into a moneymaker for municipalities or cities, while providing a place for golfers to put in some serious work on their games or just go and relieve some tension.

TheGolfCourt concept was introduced last week at the National Recreation Parks Association annual trade show.

“aboutGolf (www.aboutGolf.com) has always put a high priority on growing the game of golf,” says Bill Bales, Founder and CEO of aboutGolf. “Indoor golf has contributed to increasing accessibility to the game, breaking down barriers to entry. Given that history, TheGolfCourt seemed like a natural extension of that initiative.”

Adventure Golf Services, located in Traverse City, Michigan, has 20 years experience in the industry of designing, fabricating, installing and building a full line of indoor and outdoor miniature golf courses, putting greens and portable/modular courses, is producing the product.

aboutGolf, based in Maumee, Ohio, brought Microsoft Golf, Greg Norman Ultimate Challenge Golf and World Tours, PGA TOUR Simulators, 3Trak launch monitors and Henry-Griffitts Custom Fitting is involved in a fledgling project that could turn out to be a big component of the “growing the game” initiative.

“Outfitting TheGolfCourt™ with aboutGolf technology will provide a level of learning and practice that cannot be accomplished any other way,” says Chuck Faust, President and COO of aboutGolf. “Whether used in combination with professional instruction or simple self-analysis and practice, PGA TOUR Simulators and 3Trak launch monitors provide actionable data that drives improvement.”

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About Mike...
As a sports writer for over 35 years, Mike Dudurich has seen a lot of great things, covered spectacular events, but his passion is, and has been golf. He recently ended a 29-year career at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and will now be a frequent contributor on GolfGearReview.com. Mike hosts a weekly golf radio show on 1250 ESPN in Pittsburgh from the beginning of April through the end of August. The show airs Saturdays from 8-9 a.m. and can be heard online at http://stations.espn.go.com/stations/espnradio1250/show?showId=insidepghgolf - Listen to Mike Here!.

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