FARRAGUT, Tenn. — After a delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction efforts for Topgolf Knoxville are officially underway.
Topgolf said the entertainment venue should open in 2022.
The town of Farragut approved zoning changes needed to allow the attraction to build at a proposed location near Cotton Eyed Joe, between Outlet Drive and I-40/I-75 in 2019.
Farragut mayor Ron Williams said the town first approached Topgolf in 2015 and actively began recruiting the attraction in 2018.
Williams said it will serve as an anchor to bring other businesses to the area and hopes to attract another hotel, restaurants, and maybe a dinner theater.
"Topgolf is like a magnet. So whenever there is one in the area then there's other businesses that want to flock around and be near it because it draws people in and they want those same customers," Williams said.
Farragut said construction is expected cost roughly $20 million and could bring 300 new jobs.
The zoning change creates the “Regional Entertainment and Employment District” along Outlet Drive allowing Topgolf to build. The first reading passed Aug. 8, 2019 and the second reading passed on Aug. 22, 2019.
The town said it approved the location because of its visibility and accessibility from the interstate.
If you're unfamiliar with the Dallas-based chain, Topgolf is essentially an advanced golf driving range with game elements similar to bowling or darts. Players take turns hitting a personalized microchipped ball at one of 11 targets on the 240-yard range. The closer you get to a bullseye on the range with your ball, the more points you get.
“The Knoxville area is such a vibrant community that we have been looking forward to serving and we can’t wait to open our doors next year,” Topgolf Chief Development Officer, Chris Callaway, said. “The warm welcome we have received as we’ve kicked off our construction efforts has been amazing, and we are looking forward to introducing our guests in the Knoxville area to the Topgolf experience.”
You can see Topgolf in action in the video below:
