100 - Highlands Golf Park

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GOLF RANGE MAGAZINE
100
THE TOP
GOLF RANGES IN AMERICA 2006
The Downs Golf Practice Facility, Tampa, Florida ▲
This past October, the Downs Golf Practice Facility hosted An Evening for
Kelly Jo, a fundraiser for Kelly Jo Dowd and her charity ‘Making Memories
Breast Cancer Foundation.’ (Dowd is pictured in the middle.) Several PGA
and LPGA Tour professionals participated in the event including Rich Beem,
John Huston, Woody Austin, Greg Kraft and Brittany Lincicome (shown
here on the left). Kelly Jo Dowd’s daughter, Dakota (shown on right) is a
13-year-old golf prodigy from nearby Tarpon Springs and currently the
highest ranked female golfer in her age group and a regular student of
Matt Mitchell, instructor at the Downs.
Skokie Sports Park, Skokie, Illinois ▲
A two-tier facility with 40 automatic tees, Skokie Sports Park is just 12 miles from downtown
Chicago. According to Richard Lee, Golf Operations Manager who runs the Skokie Sports Park
for the Park District, the Park is most proud of being the organizer of the North Suburban Junior
Travel League. The Skokie Park District, in conjunction with seven other area park districts,
provides an 8-week playing and lesson program serving over 100 junior golfers under the age of
14 and providing them a venue to develop skills to get them ready for high school golf teams.
Mid-Atlantic Golf Center, Silver Springs, Maryland ▲
As a sister facility to what is now the remodeled TopGolf at
Kingstown facility, Mid-Atlantic was built in 2001. Built along
the lines of the original Kingstown facility, the facility is spread
over 17 acres and includes: 75 tees on two-levels; a putting
green; miniature golf course; 2,000 sq. ft pro shop and a snack
bar. Three PGA teaching pros run the instruction efforts.
portfolio❉
Begin Oaks Golf, Plymouth, Minnesota ▼
A family-owned operation that opened in 2000, Begin Oaks was carved out of the
Begin family farm of 70 acres. The facility includes a full practice facility along with a
9-hole short course designed by Bill Philips of the Philips Golf Design in Tempe, AZ.
The 2,400 sq ft clubhouse includes a pro shop. The facility is proud of its work with
the Executive Women’s Golf Association and the Minnesota State Special Olympics.
Woods Golf Center, Norristown, Pennsylvania ▼
Also know as Woody’s, Woods Golf Center is a three-generation operation that dates
to 1947. Family spokesman Penn Wood is proud of serving thousands of area golfers
for over a half century. The facility includes more than 100 tees, many on grass,
as well as an 18-hole, Par-3 course, a putting green as well as 2 mini-golf courses.
Here David Mobley, the 2004 RE/MAX World Long Drive Champion (Ranked #1 in
the World by Long Drivers of
America in 2003, 2004 and 2005)
puts on an exhibition at the largest
Philadelphia-area demo day held
at Woods Golf Center.
Interbay Golf Center, Seattle, Washington ▼
Built in 1997, Interbay is located between four major residential centers
and is only two miles from the business district of Seattle. One of six
courses managed by Premier Golf Centers, Interbay features a two-tier
range with 80 tees- 40 are covered and heated. There is also an Executive
9-hole course; an 18-hole miniature golf course and a remodeled 1200 sq.
ft. retail pro shop.
In high season the
facility has 7 PGA
pros working and
4 year-round. A
full-service café
serves beer and
wine.