Tiger Woods is putting his substantial influence and personal design touch on a new-age version of miniature golf by entering into a strategic partnership with PopStroke, a Topgolf-esque golf entertainment company.
According to a press release published on Woods’ website on Thursday, “PopStroke is a technology-infused golf-entertainment concept featuring professionally designed putting courses and exceptional food and beverage.”
Woods’ golf course design firm, TGR Design, has gained acclaim in recent years, and the 15-time major champion will face his next design challenge in creating a putting course.
“This is a natural extension of my golf course design philosophy and my TGR Design business,” Woods said in the release. “Our goal has always been to design courses that bring people together and are fun for golfers of all abilities and ages.
“Some of my happiest memories are spending time with my pops on the golf course having putting contests. I’m looking forward to others enjoying time with their kids at PopStroke. This is a new way for individuals to experience the game of golf. It’s about bringing people together.”
PopStroke currently has one location open to the public in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Locations in Scottsdale, Arizona and Fort Myers, Florida are currently in the development stages with various other sites scheduled to be developed in 2020 and beyond. Going forward, Woods and TGR Design will be responsible for designing the putting courses at all future PopStroke locations.
Following in the successful footsteps of Topgolf, Drive Shack and other golf-entertainment outlets, PopStroke mixes golf with casual lifestyle options such as food, beverage and other perks.
“Tiger Woods has had the most significant impact in growing the game of golf around the world and his investment and partnership in PopStroke will undoubtedly introduce the game to a new and wider audience of participants,” PopStroke founder Greg Bartoli said.
One of the technological innovations that will be available to PopStroke locations is the “iPutt” smart golf ball, which will enable electronic scorekeeping.
The soon-to-be-released ball sends scores to the PopStroke app, allowing players to compete again one another in a tournament environment while also earning credit to the company’s loyalty rewards program.
“We are incredibly excited and honored to partner with Tiger in introducing the PopStroke experience across the country,” Bartoli added. “Tiger is the greatest putter and golfer of all time and we are privileged to utilize his TGR Design team and for him to endorse our golf experience.
“Our goal is to introduce the game of golf to a wider audience of players in a dynamic environment, across all ages and backgrounds, and there is nobody more qualified to do that than Tiger Woods. I am also happy to have Chris Hubman and Pete Bevacqua as board members of PopStroke. Their wealth of experience in the golf and media industry will provide invaluable support to our future growth.”
