If the first day of the 2024 PGA Show is any indication, instructors and coaches are excited to embrace the future of live, remote golf instruction through the patent-pending GOLF LIVE app.

Construction is under way on a new course and driving range concept at the SkyRidge Mountain Community near Park City, Utah.

The facility, called theStelle Golf, will include a three-hole layout designed by Jon Garner, a 330-yard driving range with Toptracer technology plus a clubhouse and equestrian centre built on 60 acres of land at the new lifestyle community development.

Park City, Utah – Spiro Carbon Group, an international firm dedicated to providing carbon reduction pathways to all stakeholders, has retained Arizona-based Synergy Group Consulting, a leading expert in the golf industry, to develop their “Defend the Green” initiative. Spiro Carbon’s Climate Smart Golf Solutions will be introduced and expanded globally under the direction of Ted Simons, CEO and President of Synergy Group Consulting.

Like anything else, practice facility development costs money. Thus, at most clubs it has to pay for itself. The math is pretty simple but needs to be evaluated two ways:

The club needs to calculate how many additional members are needed to pay for the facility. This can be done by calculating the debt service on the cost plus the annual cost of maintenance of the area and determining how much in dues revenue is needed to cover that.

The “fallback” analysis uses the same debt service to determine the cost per existing member and thus the “risk” should no new members be generated by the project.

Scottsdale, Arizona – The October 2022 issue of Golf Course Architecture featured Ted Simons as contributor to the monthly MAIL BOX feature. Simons, President and CEO of Synergy Group Consulting, shared his insights entitled; “The Driving Range – forgotten land…or is it?”

“From years playing the game and being involved professionally in the development of the game around the world, the varied approaches applied to the driving range are interesting. As much as the industry points to the growth of the game and advancements in technology, most driving ranges remain an afterthought”, stated Simons.

Events come in all shapes and sizes, as we discussed with Stuart Gillett in last month’s issue of BGM. Having a signature golf course and a USGA specification driving range, with a matching academy facility, is a VERY nice to have, but the lack of these types of facilities should not deter anyone from making the maximum use of this type of area - even if the ‘range’ area at your golf club, has no dedicated facilities or space, and uses a certain part of the golf course for players to hit onto. With a little imagination and innovation - consistent themes in various BGM discussions - the downtimes in these areas can be used creatively. This would also be an example of sweating a club’s assets - another regular touchpoint in our discussions - and will add value to the members’ experience.

Synergy Group Consulting is providing its services to Richardson-Danner Golf Course Architects as they design a new Golf-Entertainment center for the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians. The new development is planned on 34-acres of land south of the tribe’s Red Hawk Casino and will include a 9-hole Par 3 short course along with a driving range and putt-putt course.

Ted Simons participated in a the CMASA Club Managers Networking Event

InRange Golf, a leading provider of technology for driving ranges, and Synergy Group Consulting, an international authority for the design of ‘Golf-Performance-Entertainment’ solutions, have formed a strategic relationship to provide consulting on integrated, turn-key driving range enhancements and designs

Ted Simons headed the development and programs at the Hong Kong Golf Academy.

Golf Inc. Magazine has named Ted Simons, President and CEO of Synergy Group Consulting, as one of its Nine Most Innovative People in Golf for 2022.

Synergy Group Consulting will take advantage of the experience its founder, Ted Simons, acquired while developing world-class sports facilities and academies around the world. This experience of integrating sports facilities and programming in master planned communities, resorts, and commercial installation is combined with his successful history in both sports and marketing.