A state-of-the-art indoor sports facility in Otley opens its doors for the first time this Friday (May 3).
Back Nine Golf, which is located on the edge of the town centre, is hoping to take advantage of the booming indoor sports market with two golf bays, two lanes of interactive darts and a pool table available to hire by hour/half hour. There is also a fully licensed bar that will screen Sky Sports and Euro 24 matches.
It follows on from the success of the company’s luxury indoor golf simulator venue in Guiseley, which opened in October and has attracted visitors from all over Yorkshire.
Back Nine Golf owners Mark Flanagan and Oliver Firth hope the success of their initial venture will continue in Otley and the added attraction of darts and pool will only build on that success.
“Thankfully we really hit the ground running in Guiseley and believe that Back Nine Golf in Otley will have even wider appeal,” said Oliver Firth.
“We get a lot of repeat customers in Guiseley because we invested in state-of-the-art equipment, provide excellent customer service and offer good value for money.
“Indoor golf is booming – as is golf in general – but we wanted to spread the appeal of the facility and darts is also booming. Interactive darts in particular is very popular and has become a popular thing to do on a night out. The system is really easy to use, is lots of fun and anyone can have a go.”
On Thursday (May 2) the new Otley facility is hosting a special open evening (from 7.15pm onwards) where a team of 12 Back Nine Golf regulars will take on players from an Australian indoor golf business (Golf24) in what has been coined The Ashes Challenge.
Also, on the night, keen darts players have the chance to test their skills against two of Yorkshire’s best up-and-coming talents. England international Tom Sykes and Jacob Gwynne will be on hand to play any of the eight games on the interactive darts system and free Back Nine Golf darts sessions on offer to anyone who can beat them.
Keen pool players can try out the facility for just £1.
Oliver added: “It will be quite a special night. It’s not every day you get to play golf with someone on the other side of the world and we have a really strong line-up who are raring to go.
“Also Tom and Jacob are fantastic darts players and for those taking them on, I wish them well. They will need plenty of luck to beat them but, again, it is not every day you get to test yourself against an England international.”
The owners have once again invested in Trackman, the market-leading ball-tracking golf technology and are confident the overall six-figure investment will pay dividends.
Mark Flanagan added: “There is nothing quite like the new Back Nine Golf anywhere in the north of England.
“And we have been delighted with the support we have received from the local community. The feedback from people commenting via social media has been overwhelmingly positive and I think it is fair to say we have created a bit of a buzz in Otley.”
The new facility was formerly well known as Lunds carpet shop on Westgate but had been empty for three years.
Work started renovating it in February and the duo have also invested in improving the look of the immediate surrounding area plus the famous Tour De France wall mural is being touched up by the original artist.
For further details about Back Nine Golf visit backninegolf.net
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here