Those passing by the future site of Branch Golf Club on Hwy. 377 in recent months have probably noticed faster progress as owners Tori and Pete Branch work to open phase 1 of the driving range/golf course destination.
Although the project has had its share of delays, Tori said she is excited about the progress and eager to see the public reaction when they open the doors on the state-of-the-art golf simulators, driving range and clubhouse.
“We’ve been in a better place and have learned so many hard lessons,” she offered.
The recent headway has them on track to open phase 1 by the end of the year and the 9-hole golf course by May or June of 2027.
Phase 1 of construction has focused on the driving range and the clubhouse that feature cuttingedge TrackMan simulators.
TrackMan indoor simulators allow golfers to hit a ball into a large screen while the technology recreates the shot on a virtual golf course. Golfers can practice, receive detailed feedback or play simulated rounds on famous courses in a private, climatecontrolled room. Other sports will be offered on these indoor simulators as well like football and baseball. As a TrackMan facility, Branch Golf Club will offer TrackMan Leagues, where golfers of different skill levels can compete in virtual tournaments and seasonal competitions with players locally and worldwide.
TrackMan Range is installed and will be used outdoors on the driving range. Golfers hit real balls into the range while radar technology tracks each shot, displays information such as distance, ball speed, dispersion patterns and direction on a nearby screen. It also offers games, competitions and virtualgolf experiences, making the traditional driving range more interactive and entertaining.
The grounds have recently gotten a lot greener behind the driving range bays as 60 loads of sod have been installed in recent weeks.
Fortunately, they have been able to use water out of the pond installed in earlier construction and are not using well water as the grass takes root.
The largest source of delays were the 21 days of rain earlier this year which made the leveled earth too muddy for the equipment to drive on it.
“There were 5-10 days of work we missed for every day of rain,” Tori said.
“It’s been so humbling to build this,” she admitted. “I knew what service I wanted to provide but I had to lean on so many people; God being the most important one.”
A big blessing which has sped along the building process recently was her introduction to Juan Trejo of Golf LLC, a man who has been bringing golf course to life for 35 years and has worked with major companies and designers.
As far as the clubhouse goes, Tori reported it lacks the completion of simulator rooms, painting and a few odds and ends. They will offer a fully stocked pro-shop with clubs and unique apparel. .
Phase two will be the course following a “grow in”. This course was developed by Trey Kemp of Kemp Golf Design. The Branches are excited about the design with the hope that it will be a standout facility.
The nine-hole course will feature four par 4 holes, two par 3s and two par 5s. The current design has players starting on a par 5 with the hole lying 570 yards from the back tee, 530 from the middle and 470 from the forward.
The other par 5 is a 590 yard (from the back) hole 4 that dog legs around the course’s pond. Golfers will get close to the water again at hole 9 as the par 4’s green rests on the other side of the pond.
It has been a lot of work getting Branch Golf Club ready but there has been a lot of excitement in the community as the facility has taken shape. Tori Branch is equally excited about it as someone who loves to teach the sport and shared the passion with her father who taught her at a young age.
“I know for a fact there will be sons and daughters and families out there making good memories,” she said of the Branch’s contribution to the community. “They will be just like the memories I have with my own father. In their darkest times, they can look back and say, ‘Remember when we went out golfing together?’”