Page 26 - BusinessWest April 4, 2022
P. 26

Not Quite the Real Thing
But Simulators Have Become a Solid Addition to the Business of Golf
It might be early April, but Jay Nomakeo is already looking forward to November. That’s because he’s making serious
investments — and some inroads — in an emerging subsector of the broad golf business — simulation.
“Simulated golf has just exploded; I’ve seen reports showing that it’s growing 45% a year.”
Nomakeo, a serial golf entrepreneur, if you will, is renting space at the Hadley Golf Center, a recreational facility that boasts everything from
a driving range to batting cages to a maze, where he operates four simulators that are rented out to individuals, small groups, and even high school and college golf teams for everything from prac- ticing to playing Pebble Beach — sort of.
The simulators provide a way for golfers to keep at their game during the winter months, and for facilities like the Hadley Golf Center, as well as area courses and golf shops, to earn need- ed revenue during the slow season.
Many area private and semi-private clubs
now boast simulators, which provide additional revenue in some cases, but, more impor- tantly, another way to provide value to members who have
a number of choices when it comes to which club to join. Meanwhile, a golf-simulation facility called Top Golf has become part of the retail lineup at MGM Springfield, although the facility closed down during COVID and has yet to reopen.
It’s still an emerging busi- ness, but it’s catching on, said Nomakeo, noting that book- ings were very solid this past winter, and time was often hard to secure, with the simulators in Hadley rented out to indi- viduals, leagues, students, and faculty from nearby colleges, groups from area country clubs, and more.
Jay Nomakeo, seen here at a simulator he rents out at the Hadley Golf Center, says simulation is booming, and he is confident that current growth patterns will continue.
     “During the winter, it’s
crazy,” he told BusinessWest, adding that most enthusiasts are playing courses, with Pebble Beach and St. Andrews the two favorites. “We sold out every weekend. There was one weekend
where we were sold out, but I still got 21 calls during one day looking for times. Simulated golf has just exploded; I’ve seen reports showing that it’s growing 45% a year.”
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 26 APRIL 4, 2022
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