The Golf Zone

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Where discovery and enjoyment meet: The Golf Zone Family Fun Center teeing it up in Honey Brook

By Richard L. Gaw

When George McNamara took over the 89-acre Golf Zone Family Fun Center in 2015, he arrived as a long-time golf coach, a member of the PGA of Philadelphia Hall of Fame and as the head professional director of golf at the Brandywine Country Club.

At the time, the facility was nothing more than a golf range, where golfers would rent a bucket of balls and whack away. It would be his third golf range. In partnership with original owner Steve DeMarco, McNamara transformed the property from a range to a full-family fun center.

McNamara began to visualize the business from the standpoint of its daily operation, where golfers could work on their long and short game, while their families could entertain themselves with other activities just a few yards away.

Today, The Golf Zone Family Fun Center is considered by many to be Chester County’s premiere golf and entertainment center, built to appeal to everyone in the family.

For golfers, they get to tee off at any one of the facility’s 39 state-of-the-art TopTracer tees – 14 of which are covered and heated for use in all weather conditions – that come equipped with laser-acquired yardage indicators that measure the flight and distance of each swing. In addition, The Golf Zone offers 24 natural grass tees with bunkers, a putting green; receive lessons through private coaching, group and women’s programs; and 18 holes on indoor golf simulators – all providing opportunities for them to improve their game.

To ensure that practice sessions are realistic as possible, The Golf Zone uses only premium golf balls, and its driving range provides golfers with an exceptional and unique practice facility that is fully lighted and is the only driving range in the area without nets.

For the other members of the family, the facility’s “Python” Go Kart track provides a tight, twisting and turning track that places drivers behind the wheel in single karts or tandem carts. For novice golfers, The Golf Zone’s beautifully-designed “Golf Rush Falls” miniature golf course is a challenge for golfers of all ages and a popular spot for corporate and business outings.

The Golf Zone has recently introduced some new innovations and upgrades:

• TopTracer installed at 14 bays, providing 75,000 BTU heaters for winter play • Two TopTracer golf range private suites that can accommodate up to eight guests, equipped with heating systems and large-screen TVs at each station and speakers that allow each suite to play the music of their choice • A newly-renovated miniature golf course with a new carpet to be installed in March • An upgraded food and beverage menu, accommodated by wine and beer • Four new go-karts for the “Python” Go-Kart track • New swing mats and an ever-upgraded supply of new golf balls

Twenty years ago, McNamara read the book “Extraordinary Golf” by Fred Shoemaker, and it changed the way that McNamara coaches and teaches the game.

George McNamara, a member of the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame, has co-owned and operated The Golf Zone Family Fun Center since 2015. The Golf Zone Family Fun center offers the challenging “Python” Go-Kart track for drivers of all levels. Courtesy photos The 89-acre Center features 39 state-of-the-art TopTracer tees, 14 of which are covered and heated. While the adults in the family practice their long game, other members of the family get to enjoy 18 holes of their own at The Center’s “Golf Rush Falls” miniature golf course.

“We were all trained as coaches to diagnose, to prescribe and to fix, and with this book, I discovered there was another way,” said McNamara. “Our approach is about awareness – the ability to be present with something as you do it. Our job as coaches is to lead you to your own awareness and your own discovery.

“It’s as easy as taking a bucket of balls and failing and discovering and growing your awareness of variables in your swing.”

In 2012, McNamara was inducted into the Philadelphia PGA Hall of Fame, and in his acceptance speech, he spoke about his coaches and the power of mentoring.

“Mentoring is about being a great listener, but listen without judgments, and listen as if what the person is saying is the most important point of view,” he said, “because it’s real for them. We have an amazing chance to impact people – and our job is for us to be there.”

The Golf Zone Family Fun Center is located at 1839 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, Pa. 19344, and is open year-round. To learn more about golf lessons, private parties, catered and corporate events and team building opportunities for your company or business, visit www.golfzoneproshop.com or call (610) 942-9494.

Robert Ward, CIC, CPIA, CWCA

Whitford Insurance Network, Inc Partner (610) 524-7860 Work (484) 905-2322 Mobile (610) 383-5571 Home rward@whitfordinsurance.com 503 Gordon Drive Exton, PA 19341

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Brian Ward, CIC, CWCA

Whitford Insurance Network Sales Executive (610) 524-7860 x124 Work (484) 639-2923 Mobile bward@whitfordinsurance.com 503 Gordon Drive Exton, PA 19341 www.whitfordinsurance.com

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