Acquiring Tiger Woods’ funds was merely a single measure in the process of transforming miniature golf.
We have all engaged in a variation of the classic cocktail party chatter that commences with “If I owned my own golf-inspired tavern, this is what I would do.” Greg Bartoli was no exception. However, he possessed more resources to transform it into reality.
With fifteen years of triumph on Wall Street under his belt, Bartoli accumulated sufficient funds to invest in commercial real estate throughout Florida. This caused him to experience burnout and ultimately led him to seek a relocation down south where he could spend more quality time with his family. The only issue was that Jupiter lacked entertainment for families, prompting Bartoli’s decision to explore the possibility of expanding one of his properties located in Port St. Lucie into a franchiseable sports-themed venue.
PopStroke, founded by Bartoli, is a contemporary version of the classic miniature golf courses found on busy roads at the edges of Middle American towns. Gone are windmills and clown’s mouths alongside low-grade turf and vending machines; instead PopStroke offers an elevated experience with premium 18-hole putting greens bordering a sleek clubhouse complete with roof deck and sports bar. The venue also showcases quality in its full kitchen menu options as well as diverse craft beer selections. An added bonus for families includes access to an expansive indoor playground area. Utilizing their app software, guests can order food or drinks from anywhere on property while monitoring scores throughout their entire stay at Popstroke.
The transformation of a renowned Fishers Island cocktail into a canned sensation.
In 2019, the Port St. Lucie branch quickly gained popularity among families and especially one notable golfer who resides closeby. Bartoli reveals that both Tiger and he live in North Palm Beach County with their children attending the same school; therefore, they share an amicable relationship along with some members of his team. Upon opening the location, their CFO visited to inspect it which led to further developments between them.
In late 2019, TGR Ventures of Woods entered into an equity partnership with PopStroke. This alliance provided a boost to Bartoli’s long-term goal of expanding their business to over fifty locations throughout the United States by leveraging Woods’ influential branding and financial investment capabilities. By the end of 2023, eleven outlets were successfully launched in Florida, Texas and Arizona while new venues continue to be added at one per month pace. In early 2023, TaylorMade also joined as another investor possibly influenced by Callaway’s thriving market performance through Topgolf venture .
The courses in Arizona are designed to complement the desert landscape and theme while those in Florida embody a tropical vibe. Bartoli boasts of having their own team comprising 40 shapers who construct these courses from scratch using synthetic turf unique only to them. Due to each hole’s uniqueness across all courses, guests visiting various markets get an unmatched experience every time they visit.
Instead of the outdated plastic brick heads from decades past, players now rely on top-of-the-line TaylorMade putters for optimal performance. Additionally, they are given a co-branded PopStroke-TaylorMade ball to use during gameplay as a souvenir. The technology is just as important to the game experience as the equipment itself; hence Bartoli invested six figures into developing and constructing an app exclusively for PopStroke’s usage. Bartoli stresses that his sizeable investment was crucial towards creating an all-inclusive tech offering that eliminates concerns about integrating third-party software when scaling up operations at PopStroke.
Players can enjoy unlimited access to a location’s Red and Black courses without needing to reserve tee times, with prices ranging from $20 to $40 depending on factors such as age, day of the week, and location. The Reds offer a challenging experience with intricate contours while the Blacks present an easier one. A video leaderboard showcases player scores publicly in billboard size for all spectators’ entertainment. Through the app provided by the facility serving bourbon on rocks or scoops of house-made ice cream becomes available at your convenience; furthermore there are milkshakes during certain periods throughout days when cocktails get offered during others according to Bartoli- who mentions that various demographics frequent his establishments including young professionals looking for lively bar atmospheres high school students visiting friends & 38-year-old parents accompanied by their children aged eight years old approximately.
The venues for PopStroke require a smaller footprint of three or four acres without imposing driving-range nets, which allows for easier placement. In 2024, new locations will be established in Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Orlando and Nashville among others with similar corporate neighbors nearby. Bartoli highlights the aim to feature premium brands like Apple store, Yard House and Capital Grille that attract high foot traffic entertainment centers. The versatility offered by combining sports bar facilities with event space and upscale American food make green fees only contribute partially towards revenue generated at each location.
PopStroke has a competitive edge over traditional golf courses due to its smaller land usage and appeal to off-course golfers. Bartoli suggests that the shifting demographics of the sport make PopStroke particularly attractive, given families’ increasingly busy schedules. Instead of spending an entire day on a round of eighteen holes, players can satisfy their desire for golf in just four or five hours at PopStroke. Furthermore, anyone can enjoy playing putt-putt and find it entertaining as well as accessible – thus making it an ideal way into the game for beginners.
