BigShots isn’t the only golf entertainment concept coming to Wichita; look who’s next

02 Mar BigShots isn’t the only golf entertainment concept coming to Wichita; look who’s next

For four years Wichita has been teased with a possible golf entertainment complex. First it was Driv, then Swings and finally in January, The Eagle confirmed that a BigShots franchise will open at Greenwich Place.

Now, weeks later, it looks like the leading golf entertainment concept that a lot of Wichitans have asked for all along is going to enter the market.

Dallas-based Topgolf Entertainment Group announced through a Monday news release that it is bringing a modified — read smaller than average — Topgolf concept to Wichita.

The company isn’t naming a specific site yet.

However, according to city planning documents, it looks like Topgolf will be on part of the 25 acres that developer George Laham owns at the northeast corner of 13th and Greenwich. A map of the property shows that a golf entertainment complex will not be along 13th Street but north of it with other buildings in front of it.

“We’re working on plans for the property and are looking forward to doing more restaurants and entertainment like we’ve done at Plazzio, but we do not have anything to announce at this time,” says Amy Liebau, a spokeswoman for Laham Development.

Plazzio is Laham’s development of restaurants and entertainment at the southeast corner of 13th and Greenwich.

Topgolf’s only other Kansas site is in Overland Park.

“This unique venue concept is intentionally designed to connect the local community and create lasting memories,” Topgolf Entertainment Group CEO Dolf Berle said in a statement.

“Everything from the venue décor to the Americana-style menu items captures the Topgolf energy people know and love. We look forward to having both golfers and non-golfers alike visit and enjoy the venue in their own way – whether it is listening to live music by the firepit, hitting golf balls into the outfield or simply having a great time socializing with friends and family.”

The single-story building will feature technology that allows players to trace the balls they hit from climate-controlled bays.

There will be food, drinks and yard games as well.

The company expects to hire as many as 200 part-time and full-time workers and expects to see about 250,000 guests a year.

Look for more information as soon as it’s available.