'Putt-putt golf on steroids': How Tuscaloosa landed Tiger Woods' PopStroke

Tiger Woods may be available — virtually — to help improve your short game, soon as this fall, when the golf master's string of PopStroke centers opens a new location in Tuscaloosa.

City Council President Kip Tyner has been about to burst with the news since Woods' partners reached out, roughly six months ago. He wasn't forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement, but landowners and PopStroke representatives urged keeping negotiations quiet until necessary permissions had been handled.

"(Woods' partners) presented me the plan and said 'What do you think?' After I got off the floor from crying," Tyner said, laughing, "I said 'This is unbelievable. How soon can we get started?' "

With the varying zoning adjustments, regulations and approvals handled, the answer to that is, essentially: now. Because that ground nestled among streets named for famous Alabamians — Helen Keller Boulevard, Harper Lee Drive, Julia Tutwiler Drive, Jack Warner Parkway — needs leveling, the crews are "already pushing some dirt," Tyner said.

Surveying and environmental studies have been done, and the PopStroke people believe the Alberta location — the city's District 5, which Tyner represents, is centered on Alberta, defined as east of McFarland Boulevard/U.S. Highway 82, south of the Black Warrior River, west of Holt and north of Veterans Memorial Parkway/15th Street East — may open as soon as Sept. 9, weekend of the University of Alabama vs. Texas football game, the second game of the 2023 season in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Video tips from Tiger Woods

Tuscaloosa was one of 13 new locations announced last week, for the family-friendly dining and entertainment venues, each featuring two 18-hole putting courses featuring video screens showing Woods offering tips and encouragement, Tyner said.

Also integral to PopStroke are restaurants and indoor-outdoor bars, children's play areas and more. PopStroke locations are known not just for recreation, but for ice creams, craft beer and wine, and casual dining offerings. PopStroke apps and Jumbotron leaderboards add interactivity to play. By teaming with TaylorMade Golf Co., PopStroke provides players with commemorative take-home golf balls for each round.

The Tuscaloosa PopStroke will sit on a visible stretch east of McFarland Boulevard, near land that's now undeveloped, adjacent to Baumhower's Victory Grille and a Hampton Inn. As the paired 18-hole putting courses use an artificial surface, rather than the fastidiously attended greens of a grass full course, it's believed construction can be completed within the coming spring and summer months.

Many of the PopStroke centers are found in larger metro areas, such as Tampa, Sarasota and Orlando, Florida; Glendale, Arizona, and Houston, Texas. Among newly announced locations, only Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Delray Beach, Wellington, and Winter Garden, Florida have populations lower than that of Tuscaloosa's, 100,618 as of 2021.

“We are seeing huge consumer demand to bring our immersive experience into new cities," said PopStroke CEO and founder Greg Bartoli, in a written release. "PopStroke was created to bring people together across all ages and skill levels through the game of golf. We are thrilled to expand our reach and share the PopStroke experience with new guests."

After opening the first PopStroke in Port St. Lucie in 2019, Bartoli brought 15-time major champion Woods in as co-owner in 2020. The University of Alabama's proximity may have weighed in the Druid City's favor, as might Woods' friendships with former UA player Justin Thomas, winner of two major golf championships, and UA men's golf coach Jay Seawell, Tyner said.

"They had way done their due diligence," before approaching, Tyner said. "They've been looking at this property for quite a long time."

Tuscaloosa is one of three locations now underway, with Delray Beach and Scottsdale, Arizona. Las Vegas is expected to break ground in May, and all four of those plan to be open before the end of the year. The other coming locations will be in Nashville; Myrtle Beach; Dallas, San Antonio and College Station, Texas; and Orlando/Winter Garden, Daytona Beach, Wellington and West Palm Beach Florida.

Whole-family entertainment

The thrills of getting a PopStroke in Tuscaloosa rolled in waves, Tyner said. One of the most frequent complaint-requests he hears from constituents is that there's not enough whole-family entertainment, so this should please some. Then landing it in Alberta, which isn't just his home but his lifelong cause, having driven extensive restorations to the streetscapes, and continually seeking new ventures and businesses, gave an extra lift. That the announcement was made on the anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornadoes that devastated the city, with Alberta among the hardest slammed, was pure icing.

"Just to think, 12 years from that day, that Tiger Woods, probably the most well-known athlete in the world, would be investing in Alberta," Tyner said.

From what he's seen, PopStroke will offer something for just about anyone to enjoy.

"They call it from 3 to 83; I said it's 3 to 103," Tyner said. "It's for everybody. It is putt-putt golf on steroids, because it's almost like you're playing real golf, in a layout with dunes, a tropical paradise with all their lush landscaping and palm trees."

Through the app you can order food and drink delivered to the course in a golf cart. Woods will be shown on the big screens, offering tips.

"The one I saw, it's like Tiger's talking to you," Tyner said. "It's very Disney-like."

Not only should PopStroke prove a major entertainment option locally, it could help attract other business and tourism. The city's economic team is seeking additional restaurants, and the Hampton Inn may add some rooms, as PopStroke could be a year-round attraction that puts "heads in beds."

Alberta's been courting a grocery chain, and another restaurant, which could be aided by the announcement, success breeding success. "Our guys feel like this might tip them over to a 'Yes,' " Tyner said. "This creates incredible momentum for Alberta."

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox welcomed the news of PopStroke on Twitter, writing "Proud of Council President (Kip) Tyner and our economic team for all their work on this project. Working beside the property owners/developers, we have no doubt this will be a huge success for our community."

Though pricing hasn't yet been announced for the Tuscaloosa PopStroke, other locations 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, although guests may also bring their own.

Online menus show a string of 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: How Tuscaloosa landed Tiger Woods' PopStroke entertainment center