-Press Release, Norwalk, Conn.
TOTAL Driving Range Solutions (TDRS), designer and constructor of state of the art driving range facilities, announced today that the Golf Authority of Oak Hills Park GC in Norwalk, CT has selected TDRS to build their new driving range facility. Timing for the project is spring 2014.
Oak Hills Park GC is one of the only public facilities in the area with no range so local officials expect a lot of interest and public involvement This will be a major enhancement and revenue generator for the Oak Hills Park Golf facility.
Details are still to be finalized but initial plans call for a 2-tiered, 30 bay structure with heated, all-weather capability on the lower level. The range will extend 250 yards and will be conveniently located adjacent to the first tee to accommodate golfers warming up before a round as well as those who visit just to practice.
“This will be a state of the art facility with all the latest componentry to enhance our visitor’s golf experience,” said Jim Downing, Manager Partner for TDRS. “We will have several training and performance bays for teaching and a number of bays equipped with automatic tees which are very popular for users and welcomed by operators since they improve play rates significantly. This is a great project and we are pleased that the OHPGA chose to partner with TDRS.”
Another key component to the project will be the involvement of The First Tee program. “We are extremely happy to be part of this effort,” said Barry McLaughlin, Executive Director of The First Tee of Metropolitan New York. “For several years now, over 5,000 youth annually participate in The First Tee programs offered through the Norwalk ‘Play and Learn’ program and outreach in elementary schools. With this new facility location in Norwalk, we will be able to introduce even more opportunities to young people in the community so they can take advantage of all that The First Tee program has to offer.”
Facilities interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Jim Downing at 914-282-6398 or jim@totaldrivingrangesolutions.com for a meeting and no obligation introductory consultation.
About the Industry
The golf industry has struggled lately. The economy, time constraints and the difficulty of game itself has caused a significant decline in players and rounds played over the past 5 years. Driving ranges offer players the unique opportunity to hone their game in a manageable amount of time. TDRS believes that upgraded facilities can become a destination point for a broad range of players of all skill levels thereby growing the game…and even becoming a focal point of the local community.
About Oak Hills Park GC
Oak Hills Park GC is an 18 hole par 71 municipal course located in the beautiful West Norwalk area of the city. It was designed by noted golf course architect Alfred Tull in 1967. Tull designed many courses individually including nearby Darien CC and is also noted for his work with Devereux Emmet (Congressional CC, Garden City Golf Club, and Wee Burn CC). Together they designed and refurbished a number of the top 200 courses in America. OHPGC does approximately 35,000 rounds per year.
About The First Tee of Metropolitan New York
The First Tee of Metropolitan New York (www.thefirstteemetny.org/campaign) is one of approximately 200 youth development chapters of The First Tee. The chapter was founded in 2001 at Mosholu Golf Course in the Bronx and now includes five additional facilities at Fairchild Wheeler G.C., Eisenhower Park G.C., Plainfield West 9, Golf Club at Chelsea Piers, and Weequahic Park G.C. The chapter was formed through a partnership that includes the Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation, the Met Section PGA and the Rudin Family to teach young people that have traditionally been denied access to the game valuable Life Skills and Nine Core Values through the game of golf. Since its inception, the chapter has served over 30,000 participants through a unique Life Skills curriculum developed by top educators. Additional outreach programs have introduced golf and Life Skills to over 300,000 youth through both in-school and after-school programs as well as relationships with partners like Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs.
About Total Driving Range Solutions
Total Driving Range Solutions(TDRS) llc (www.totaldrivingrangesolutions.com) helps driving range operators increase revenues at their facilities utilizing a combination of unique design options tailored to meet the needs of local marketing areas. Their services are available to both on-site and stand alone facilities.
TDRS unlocks the hidden asset in existing or new facility using unique design options and consulting services. By upgrading the “environment” to include options such as covered and weather adjusting hitting areas as well as landing areas that simulate actual golf hole conditions, operators can experience significant traffic gains, revenue increases and experience a very attractive payback on their investment.
The TDRS process is turnkey from inception to completion…from data collection to facility design to build out; their process is very flexible which meets the needs of most operators.
The TDRS team includes Frank Wainwright and Jim Downing who have operated various golf related businesses over the past 10 years, Mark Curtin, Architect, who has practiced in the Fairfield CT area for more than 20 years and Doug Smith, partner with Kay-Smith golf course designers with a client list of hundreds of courses world-wide.
