North Tampa Chamber President anticipates ‘significant’ economic impact
By Colin McCandless
Co-owners Tiger Woods and Greg Bartoli are bringing one of their PopStroke golf entertainment complexes to the Greater Tampa Bay suburb of Wesley Chapel. Groundbreaking was held on Feb. 2 with an anticipated completion date of November or December.
Started in 2019, PopStroke is a technology-infused, experiential golf and casual dining concept featuring Woods and his TGR Design team’s 36-hole putting facility. The design includes two unique 18-hole outdoor synthetic turf putting courses incorporating fairways, bunkers and rough, as seen on traditional golf courses.
A family-friendly venue, PopStroke offers a full-service restaurant, an outdoor game and beer garden area with cornhole, ping-pong and foosball, and a playground.
The concept is set up so that patrons have the option of golfing all day or playing a round and then returning later, said PopStroke Director of Marketing Melissa Sullivan. Typical hours are 9 a.m.-midnight.
“We have an all-day pass so it’s your choice in terms of how you plan your visit. You can eat—you don’t have to eat. You can come just for the restaurant. We have an ice cream parlor with 24 flavors and specialty milkshakes as well. So, it’s really just a nice outdoor experience for all ages.”
PopStroke has a customized mobile app that allows guests to keep score virtually and order food and drinks that are delivered directly to them anywhere on the golf course. Part of the experience involves playing with the Bridgestone golf ball that Woods uses, a commemorative gift that customers keep, said Sullivan.
“It’s probably one of the only businesses that I’ve seen that really straddles the ages,” said Sullivan. “It has a way of elevating the experience, so that it doesn’t feel too kiddish, but families feel welcome and enjoy it.”
Why Wesley Chapel?
Hope Kennedy, president/CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, said that Wesley Chapel has been referred to as a bedroom community and housing center for Tampa. PopStroke is being built in the heart of Wesley Chapel and the community’s growth center, situated near the apex of I-75 and I-275 South, an ideal location conveniently accessed from the interstate.
Kennedy explained why Wesley Chapel appeals to prospective developers and businesses looking to invest in Greater Tampa Bay.
“So, Wesley Chapel is uniquely positioned north of Tampa,” she said. “We have land. We have fabulous demographics for projects such as this.”
Its average age is 37.5 and the median household income is $97,000 a year. Families are typically dual educated and dual income, with a high percentage of disposable income, said Kennedy.
“The disposable income for this community was probably the main driver for their decision to come here. “So, on paper, this area is very attractive.”
Kennedy said moreover Wesley Chapel has been lacking sufficient family entertainment venues and PopStroke will help address that need.
Economic Impact
Kennedy characterized it as “absolutely a big deal” that PopStroke is opening one of their entertainment complexes in Wesley Chapel.
“Developers don’t come to a community unless they can guarantee a return on their investment for their investors,” she said. “This particular project, any time you have a name such as Tiger Woods attached to it, you are all but guaranteed to have an extraordinary product. I don’t think he’d put his name on anything that wasn’t going to have a significant impact on the community in which it is coming to.”
The expectation is that like similar projects in other communities, PopStroke will generate considerable revenue from sales tax and make a positive economic impact on Wesley Chapel.
Kennedy said that Wesley Chapel takes pride in landing such a big project for the community.
“We hope that this will solidify our place in the region.”
