Maumee SportsMall driving range gets new owners in September
Written by Fred Altvater | | BackNine@toledofreepress.comThe Maumee SportsMall driving range is ranked in the top 100 driving ranges in the country and has been the premier golf practice facility in Northwest Ohio for several years.
It features more than 80 grass and synthetic turf hitting areas, as well as 25 enclosed stalls to provide protection from wind and rain.
David Graf, who has been the head professional at Inverness Country Club for 19 years, and director of instruction at Inverness, Jim McGurk, will assume control of the facility on Sept. 1.
They plan to update, improve and create a first-class golf practice facility for the accomplished golfer, as well as the beginner.
The new name for the facility will be the Golf Performance Institute of Toledo or, as the new owners hope it will become known, the “Golf PIT.”
Work has already begun to remodel the Pro Shop and make room for a Titleist Golf Institute fitness area and fully stocked retail shop.
Graf and McGurk believe that for a golfer to reach his full potential he must have:
- Properly fitted equipment
- Top instruction
- Year round practice facility
- Proper fitness
- Mental focus
- A retail experience to answer all equipment questions and options
Their mission is to bring the country club experience to the average golfer.
Graf explained, “The location of the Maumee SportsMall was extremely attractive to us. Easy access from I-75, the 80/90 Turnpike and I-475 make it the ideal spot to draw golfers from all over Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan to the facility to improve their game.”
They want the golfer to think of the “Golf PIT” similar to Bass Pro or Cabela’s, only with a golf theme.
Graf and McGurk look forward to bringing their years of golf experience to Maumee, serving the current SportsMall clientele and ask for their patience during the renovation and remodeling phase.
Plans include extensive renovation to the grass tees, the six-hole par 3 course and the short game areas over the next 90 days.
Graf promises to have “the firmest and fastest greens in Northwest Ohio for golfers to test their game.”
Run-up areas to the greens on the practice course and fringe areas will be trimmed and the greens will be manicured to country club specifications.
The grand opening will not be scheduled until all of the work is complete sometime later in the year, but the range will continue to be open as usual.
Tags: David Graf, Fred Altvater, Golf, Golf Performance Institute of Toledo, Golf PIT, Jim McGurk, Maumee SportsMall
