Popular Pontiac-area business sets eyes on expansion about one year after opening
Finding a place to play golf isn't much of an issue right now. There's The Oaks in Pontiac, Wolf Creek at Cayuga, Dwight Country Club and Indian Creek in Fairbury that offer superb facilities to hit and chase that dimpled spheroid.
But what about in December or January? Where do avid golfers go get their fix?
Iron Cave Golf became an option about a year ago and it's something that caught on quickly. Iron Cave Golf opened inside OB's Cervezaria in Chenoa and has done well enough that owners Brian and Bobbi Ludwig have opened another facility in South Wilmington.
They are now considering a third location with the hope of opening a place in Watseka in 2024.
“We pretty much nailed it with our expectations,” Bobbi Ludwig said. “In the winter, weekends were pretty booked up. We also have leagues in the winter where the weeknights get booked up."
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Iron Cave Golf is a simulator facility where golfers only need to swing a club. There's no lugging the bags or dealing with golf carts. And there's no need to have to wait for the beer cart to come along.
Players can try their luck on some of the most famous courses in the world, such as Augusta National and the Old Course at St. Andrew's. But there are other options, as well.
“It's not just golf games or courses, there are target-style games and driving ranges and lots and lots of different things to do,” Ludwig said. “There are like 30-some different games.”
Even if you don't like golf, Ludwig said you can still have a good time.
“You can come in there as a family or just friends and some like golf and some don't,” Ludwig said. “But you get in there and swing at a ball, hit into the screen and you play games for points and stuff like that. It's a neat environment.”
Iron Cave Golf is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Getting a time to play is like the real thing, you need a tee time and that can be done online.
Leagues will be starting this winter. There will be a men's and mixed leagues played in a two-person scramble format. Bobbi Ludwig also noted that a competitive league is in the works where all the money from the league fees being paid out.
For more information or to book a tee time, go to ironcavegolf.com or email icg@ironcavegolf.com. One can also call 815-992-0815.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Pontiac-area's Iron Cave Golf business looking to add third facility
