Patrick Dill, the 1999 Metropolitan PGA Section and 2011 North Florida PGA Section Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Facilities, is the PGA of America Director of Golf at Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate (FL).
Patrick Dill on the importance of letting technology help your range stand out:
I’ve spent almost a decade at Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate and have seen many changes in the industry. Technology is leading the way in golf and it’s changed the way we watch, play and socialize within the game. We recently created a stellar social and practice amenity on our driving range called Eagles Edge at Championsgate. We installed 30 Toptracer Range bays with monitors and elevated the golfers’ experience with couches, tables and F&B service delivered to the customer. With Toptracer Range, golfers can practice and gain the numbers they need to gauge their progress, play with friends, family and co-workers onsite or even compete against golfers at Toptracer Range facilities worldwide. The space was built to accommodate small groups and special events, boosting revenue beyond the individual golfers and maximizing the investment we’ve made in the social golf entertainment concept. With the great number of attraction/theme park guests and convention attendees that we welcome each year, Eagles Edge at Championsgate gives these individuals a great golf entertainment option at night or during inclement weather, even if they don’t particularly play the game. We also want to attract local residents to our facility as we get the word out on this game-changing amenity that has truly helped our range stand out from the rest. We have new targets, new mats, new balls and a new building with a bar, seating and kitchen, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for all patrons and guests. With our course celebrating 25 years next year and our resort recently marking its 20th anniversary, golf technology has provided added opportunities for golfers (and their non-golfing friends) to share in the game we all know and love.
Patrick Dill on the business impact of letting technology help your range stand out:
Standard hitting bays accommodate up to six guests at a time. Customers can eat, drink and enjoy their time with us, paying for the bay by time spent, rather than per number of golf balls hit or buckets sold. Having opened in early 2024, we are incrementally expanding our hours to satisfy our growing clientele as our marketing efforts and word of mouth spread the news of this great new amenity. With the many usages that we intend to implement, we strive for a return on our investment that will take us well into the 21st century, maximizing the boost in golf that we’ve experienced since the pandemic and growing the game with each new person we welcome. The bays are covered, heated when it’s cold and have fans when it’s hot. Clubs are available free of charge for guests to use in what just might be their first attempt at hitting a golf ball. We look forward to watching our business grow among our students, members, groups, resort guests and local residents who choose Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate for their next vacation, convention, buddy trip to Florida or simple night out.
If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email patrick.dill@omnihotels.com.
