Patrick Uhazie, left, and his brother Doug at their Indoor Golf RVA venue at 3920 W. Broad St.
A year after opening their first indoor golf venue near Scott’s Addition, the Uhazie brothers are ready to take a second shot.
Patrick and Doug Uhazie have secured a spot for a new location for their Indoor Golf RVA, which features simulator-powered hitting bays allowing members to play virtual versions of real-life courses.
The second spot will fill a ground floor space at 4501 E. Main St. in the Waterford at Rocketts Landing, the newest apartment development in the East End neighborhood.
Patrick said he and his brother hadn’t necessarily been seeking out expansion so quickly until the opportunity was brought to them by a broker.
“He thought Rocketts, with all the growth and development there, makes a lot of sense,” Patrick said.
He added that the closure last year of Glenwood Golf Course, the closest course to Rocketts Landing, also makes the move appealing.
“With the closure of Glenwood the east side of town is almost a golf desert,” he said. “I really do see a lot of value in where they’re located so people don’t have to drive to practice golf for an hour.”
The Waterford at Rocketts Landing. (BizSense file photo)
At 2,200 square feet, the new location will be larger than the original Indoor Golf venue at 3920 W. Broad St., where it occupies 1,300 square feet on the ground floor of The Ella mixed-used development. The extra space will have room for two Trackman simulators like the original and new features including a putting green and a kitchen.
The Rocketts spot will offer the same membership-only model allowing users access to its Trackman simulators 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Membership plans range from $125 to $325 a month and go up to $299 for unlimited play and practice.
Patrick said the new space will host events, but that memberships are what drives the venues.
“Memberships are the core of our business. We’re trying to become Richmond’s premier urban golf club,” he said, declining to comment on how many members the business has currently.
They hope to open in Rocketts in November or December. Patrick declined to comment on the cost of the new location, saying only that it’s self-funded.
“Winter is really peak season for us so it’s especially a good time to be opening in the winter months,” he said.
Patrick will continue to be the company’s only full-time employee for now, with Doug working part time while also tending to a career in accounting. Patrick said they may look to bring on a third partner in the future.
Indoor Golf is one of several such concepts in the region, including Tee It Up, X-Golf and The Edge Golf Academy. That’s in addition to the partially enclosed driving ranges like TopGolf and Drive Shack.
Patrick said that after a year in business he and his brother see plenty of room for multiple competitors.
“You might think there’s too many of these places, but we have found where we’re located in Scott’s Addition there’s definitely enough demand,” he said.
With location number two in the works, might there be a third Indoor Golf on the Uhazie’s minds? Patrick said it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
“We’ve talked to friends and family who have seen us doing this and ask about franchising and us supporting them in opening their own location,” he said. “We’ll see how this goes.”
Patrick Uhazie, left, and his brother Doug at their Indoor Golf RVA venue at 3920 W. Broad St.
A year after opening their first indoor golf venue near Scott’s Addition, the Uhazie brothers are ready to take a second shot.
Patrick and Doug Uhazie have secured a spot for a new location for their Indoor Golf RVA, which features simulator-powered hitting bays allowing members to play virtual versions of real-life courses.
The second spot will fill a ground floor space at 4501 E. Main St. in the Waterford at Rocketts Landing, the newest apartment development in the East End neighborhood.
Patrick said he and his brother hadn’t necessarily been seeking out expansion so quickly until the opportunity was brought to them by a broker.
“He thought Rocketts, with all the growth and development there, makes a lot of sense,” Patrick said.
He added that the closure last year of Glenwood Golf Course, the closest course to Rocketts Landing, also makes the move appealing.
“With the closure of Glenwood the east side of town is almost a golf desert,” he said. “I really do see a lot of value in where they’re located so people don’t have to drive to practice golf for an hour.”
The Waterford at Rocketts Landing. (BizSense file photo)
At 2,200 square feet, the new location will be larger than the original Indoor Golf venue at 3920 W. Broad St., where it occupies 1,300 square feet on the ground floor of The Ella mixed-used development. The extra space will have room for two Trackman simulators like the original and new features including a putting green and a kitchen.
The Rocketts spot will offer the same membership-only model allowing users access to its Trackman simulators 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Membership plans range from $125 to $325 a month and go up to $299 for unlimited play and practice.
Patrick said the new space will host events, but that memberships are what drives the venues.
“Memberships are the core of our business. We’re trying to become Richmond’s premier urban golf club,” he said, declining to comment on how many members the business has currently.
They hope to open in Rocketts in November or December. Patrick declined to comment on the cost of the new location, saying only that it’s self-funded.
“Winter is really peak season for us so it’s especially a good time to be opening in the winter months,” he said.
Patrick will continue to be the company’s only full-time employee for now, with Doug working part time while also tending to a career in accounting. Patrick said they may look to bring on a third partner in the future.
Indoor Golf is one of several such concepts in the region, including Tee It Up, X-Golf and The Edge Golf Academy. That’s in addition to the partially enclosed driving ranges like TopGolf and Drive Shack.
Patrick said that after a year in business he and his brother see plenty of room for multiple competitors.
“You might think there’s too many of these places, but we have found where we’re located in Scott’s Addition there’s definitely enough demand,” he said.
With location number two in the works, might there be a third Indoor Golf on the Uhazie’s minds? Patrick said it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
“We’ve talked to friends and family who have seen us doing this and ask about franchising and us supporting them in opening their own location,” he said. “We’ll see how this goes.”
Don’t forget the one hole putt putt
Thank you for the comment, CM. This is simulated golf with highly accurate launch monitor technology, not just “a video game”. It’s always free to come check us out!
Although many of the current members are experienced golfers (they get it!), Indoor Golf RVA also caters to relatively new golfers who want to improve and play more golf. Which is why memberships start at $125/month and founding members of the Rocketts Landing location will get 15%-off in perpetuity: https://www.indoorgolfrva.com/coming-soon
I suppose it makes sense if you are very serious about your golf game and want to practice during inclement weather.
Many see the benefit for during bad weather, too hot/too cold, or as the days get shorter and we lose sunlight. Additionally, the convenience and location are intended to allow you to play a round before work, during a lunch break, or in the evenings after putting the kids to sleep for example. Some golfers use the Trackman simulator purely to practice because it provides the full range of golf club and ball data that the top PGA/LPGA Tour pros use to dial in their game. Others may just like to play social golf and bring a guest or two.… Read more »
congrats
CM, golf simulators are highly advanced now and they are similar to real golf. Between travel and green fees, golf becomes pricey in a hurry whereas simulators like this have a set price. You can never replace a real course but this simulator lets you practice on a potential course you’re due to visit before ever going there in person. I agree it’s pricey but for an avid golfer it’s great since you can play all the time without a golfing partner.