Tuscaloosa PopStroke delays opening date due to design changes

Tuscaloosa's upcoming "putt-putt on steroids" PopStroke has had to push back its planned opening to November, due to redesign needs.

When announced in late April, Tiger Woods' golf, dining and entertainment venue had hoped to be up and swinging as early as Sept. 8, said Kip Tyner, District 5 councilor.

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"They had to do some re-designing, the kitchen, for one," said Tyner, to suit the space off Helen Keller Bouelvard, east of McFarland on previously-undeveloped land, adjacent to Baumhower's Victory Grille, and a Hampton Inn. "They originally had a large and small kitchen, but decided to merge those into one.

"They've also re-designed the beer garden," he said. "But they're moving really fast."

PopStroke CEO Greg Bartoli founded the first PopStroke in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in 2019, adding 15-time major champion Woods as co-owner in 2020.

They're designed as family-friendly dining and entertainment venues, with full-service restaurants, bars offering wine and craft beer, ice cream parlors, playgrounds and outdoor games. Each PopStroke features two 18-hole putting courses designed by Woods and his TGR Design Team, with Jumbotron leaderboads and apps interacting with players, showing Woods offering tips and encouragement.

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

Players can take home commemorative balls for each round. Food and drink can be delivered to the courses, via golf cart. Tuscaloosa menus and pricing haven't been announced yet, but other PopStroke 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 PopStroke 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.

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

PopStroke currently has seven centers, five in Florida, one each in Arizona and Texas. Tuscaloosa was announced as part of an expansion into 13 new locations, planned for this fall and into 2024.

Most existing PopStrokes are in larger metropolitan areas, though some of the announced spots are Tuscaloosa-sized (estimated 102,432 population, in 2022) or smaller. Proximity to the University of Alabama probably weighed in favor, Tyner said, along with Woods' friendships with UA men's golf coach Jay Seawell, and with former UA player Justin Thomas, winner of two major championships.

In addition to building on Tuscaloosa's entertainment alternatives, the PopStroke development is expected to attract additional business, retail and otherwise, to the area, Tyner said. Because the new PopStroke location is in Alberta, Tyner's district, he was among the first contacted, back in late 2022, but had to sign an NDA not to talk about the project until details could fall into place. Dirt started getting pushed around back in spring, after zoning adjustments, regulations and approvals were in hand.

"They're grading the land now. One day (John Plott Construction Co.) had eight bulldozers going," Tyner said. "That part is just about done."

Next the PopStroke folks will come lay down the green, an artifical surface good for year-around play, and begin installing food and beverage stations, playgrounds and so on.

"(The New York marketing team) told me one time they could put the golf course in in three months," Tyner said. "So their date is November."

"They're the nicest people, not like you would think, corporate snobs," Tyner said, laughing. "They told me they've never had as great an experience as they've had in Tuscaloosa."

His hunch is that they'll shoot for the Nov. 4 Crimson Tide football home game with LSU, to take advantage of the influx of visitors.

When that opening date comes, Woods is expected to come to Tuscaloosa for the event, Tyner said.

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

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa PopStroke delays opening due to design changes