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NS<strong>Golf</strong>Mag.qxp_Layout 1 3/2/17 2:02 PM Page 21<br />
THE GREAT INDOORS >>><br />
Bob Bowman takes a mighty swing<br />
and splits the fairway with his tee shot.<br />
His playing partners, Mike Bondanza,<br />
Marc Jean and Jim Varzakis, applaud<br />
his effort, but not without a bit of<br />
good-natured ribbing. The foursome<br />
is about halfway through their round at<br />
Wildstone <strong>Golf</strong> Course in Cranbrook,<br />
British Columbia.<br />
But they are not in Canada. They are<br />
golfing indoors at The Clubhouse <strong>Golf</strong><br />
& Entertainment center in Middleton,<br />
hitting their balls at a wall-size screen.<br />
The state-of-the-art simulators give<br />
local linksmen and linkswomen the<br />
chance to play such iconic courses as<br />
Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Harbour<br />
Town and TPC Sawgrass – about 70<br />
championship courses in all – without<br />
the hassles of traveling. You can even<br />
plug in weather conditions, wind speed<br />
and eight other variables. Cost is $15<br />
per hour per person. Tee times can<br />
be reserved one week in advance.<br />
cornhole courts, foosball and<br />
shuffleboard tables, Skee Ball games,<br />
and 19 TVs, including three ginormous<br />
14-footers. There are ample lounge<br />
areas for relaxing and a 19th hole that<br />
has food service, a full bar, craft beers<br />
and premium wine. It is a perfect spot to<br />
host corporate events and parties of all<br />
kinds,including birthday, bachelor and<br />
bachelorette. The Clubhouse can host<br />
functions for up to 150 on one side<br />
without disturbing any of its golf or<br />
bar customers on the other side.<br />
Eric Karpinski, CEO and director<br />
of golf operations and one of The<br />
Clubhouse’s teaching pros, is jazzed<br />
to demonstrate the computer he uses<br />
while giving lessons. The teaching<br />
module, the only one of its kind in the<br />
<strong>North</strong>east, measures and displays<br />
on a screen everything from setup,<br />
alignment, balance and weight<br />
distribution to the distance the ball<br />
travels, the club and ball speed and<br />
vertical launch. It’s an important<br />
part of his teaching regime,<br />
Karpinski said. >>><br />
The Clubhouse is an indoor golf/<br />
entertainment facility on Route 114 in<br />
Middleton. The former Optigolf site<br />
has been transformed into a massive,<br />
12,000-square-foot family-friendly<br />
sports and entertainment complex.<br />
In addition to nine about<strong>Golf</strong> brand<br />
simulators and an indoor driving range,<br />
the venue has three billiard tables,<br />
three ping-pong tables, six leagueapproved<br />
dart boards, four custom<br />
NORTH SHORE GOLF
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