May 6, 2019

A former Topgolf manager will be the new leader of Great Shots, the golf entertainment venue being developed at the Sanford Sports Complex.

Jonathan Buckley, PGA, will be the general manager for the new 54,000-square-foot building that’s scheduled to open in November.

The location will be managed by Troon, a national manager and developer of golf courses and country clubs.

Buckley has more than 12 years of experience managing and operating golf and entertainment facilities across the country.

From 2012 through 2016, he opened and managed Topgolf venues in Houston; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Oklahoma City. Before  Topgolf, Buckley served as the director of golf at Sterling Country Club in Houston. His resume also includes leadership positions at Golfcrest Country Club in Pearland, Texas, and at The Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas. Buckley studied turf science at Texas A&M University and became a member of the PGA of America in 2009.

“We’re thrilled to have Jonathan leading our operations at Great Shots and believe his experience in managing similar entertainment venues will be invaluable,” said Kevin Lampe, president of Sanford Sports. “Golf and entertainment venues like Great Shots are gaining popularity across the nation, and most of that is driven by non-golfers.”

The three-story facility at Benson Road and Westport Avenue will feature 60 hitting bays with individually controlled radiant heaters.  Each bay will accommodate up to 10 guests, with golfers hitting shots out to a 90-yard-wide-by 250-yard-long artificial turf field.

Guests at Great Shots will use real golf clubs — their own or clubs will be provided — and hit real golf balls. Using radar-based technology, guests will be able to track their shots, club-head speed, exit velocity and distance. BigShots software’s game mode has several options to turn golf into an interactive video game.

Great Shots will include two restaurant and bar spaces with unique food and drink options and numerous televisions. Several conference rooms will be available to host parties and meetings, and will be equipped with video technology.

In addition, a first-floor kids’ room will be outfitted with kid-friendly activities for ages 4 to 10, including a small climbing wall. Sanford Fit, an initiative geared toward teaching kids how to be active and healthy, is helping to shape the kids’ room design.