PopStroke installs greens in Tuscaloosa, but November opening unlikely

Emerald-bright humps and hills shine unnaturally vivid in mid-autumn, so it's eye-popping clear that turf is being laid on the PopStroke site in Tuscaloosa.

PopStroke affirmed earlier that once the artificial greens start going down, the process speeds. Dirt was moving far back as spring, after an April site announcement, on the previously-undeveloped swath of land off Helen Keller Boulevard, east of McFarland, adjacent to Baumhower's Victory Grille, and a Hampton Inn. Bulldozers have been grading the land throughout summer and early fall.

More: PopStroke, with putting courses designed by Tiger Woods, plans to expand into Tuscaloosa

The PopStroke website still has Tuscaloosa due to open in fall 2023, but that date has been tweaked a few times. When announced in April, the plan was for the "putt-putt on steroids" venue to be open as soon as Sept. 8, according to Kip Tyner, District 5 councilor, who was crucial in landing the development.

But an August re-design delayed that to a planned November opening, possibly timed as early as the LSU weekend.

While the mini-golf, dining and entertainment facility, co-owned by Tiger Woods, won't open in November, it is planned to tee off "before the year's out," Tyner said, a plan confirmed by Shane Robichaud, president of PopStroke greens.

"We're making progress, but it's going to take a little bit longer," Robichaud said. "We're still shooting for an opening before the end of the year."

The business is about to start the hiring process, Tyner said.

"I don't think they'll have trouble filling jobs, because I think UA students will not only go there, but I think that'd be a place they'd like to work," Tyner said.

CEO Greg Bartoli created the first PopStroke in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in 2019, with 15-time major champion Woods coming in as co-owner the next year. The idea is to bring together all ages and skill levels through golf. Tuscaloosa was announced in April as part of PopStroke's expansion into 13 new locations, adding to the seven in Florida, and one each in Arizona and Texas. Two of the expansions will open before Tuscaloosa, so ours will be the 10th PopStroke, Robichaud said.

“We are seeing huge consumer demand to bring our immersive experience into new cities," Bartoli said, in a written release.

Family-friendly PopStroke offers restaurants, bars serving wine and craft beer, ice cream, playgrounds and outdoor games. The two 18-hole putting courses will feature Jumbotron leaderboards and apps interacting with players.

Local menus and pricing haven't been announced, but other PopStrokes charge $20 for 18 holes, or $25 for a day pass; with military and seniors, 60 and up, at $15; and children $12. Group and event rates are available. Putters will be available, but guests may also bring their own.

PopStroke menus show appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, tacos and sides, most in the $10 to $20 range, with kids' menu items at $8 each. Entrees include Churrasco Skirt Steak, at $25, Grilled Salmon at $24, Chicken Tenders at $18, and Caribbean Mahi at $21. For more, see www.popstroke.com.

Reach Mark Hughes Cobb at mark.cobb@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: PopStroke installs greens at Tuscaloosa venue; opening likely delayed