One year to the day since the Brookhaven Town Board voted unanimously to approve zoning changes that would allow Long Island to land New York's first Topgolf facility, there is no indication that the popular driving range and entertainment venue will arrive here anytime in the near future.
Topgolf, known for its growing chain of modern, neon-lit golf, dining and nightlife centers popular across the Midwest and South, is planning to extend its reach into New York with a new facility to be built on an industrial site near the Long Island Expressway in Holtsville. Last December, the town board in Brookhaven voted 6-0 to change the site's zoning to "commercial recreation" and approve special permits, per Newsday.
However, with the project quietly awaiting additional town approvals, a representative at Dallas-based Topgolf confirmed there is no news or timetable to share regarding the proposed Holtsville location. The Topgolf website currently lists 15 new locations "coming soon" around the country and internationally, but none in New York. Brookhaven Town has not responded to an inquiry on the Holtsville facility.
For now, the closest Topgolf venue to Long Island is in Edison, New Jersey (pictured). Unlike regular driving ranges, Topgolf features microchipped golf balls and arcade-style target areas for computer-scored games and contests, as well as dining and lounge-style amenities that appeal to non-golfers. Climate-controlled hitting bays are rented by the hour and typically include televisions, WiFi and access to food and drinks. Standard range features like lessons and clinics are also included. Some in the golf industry have credited Topgolf with helping introduce millennials and other non-golfers to the sport.
[Photo courtesy of Topgolf]
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