Months after a successful opening in Nashville, Topgolf is seriously considering adding a second Tennessee location in Knoxville.
The company announced it is "actively searching" for a location in Knoxville and is planning for a 2020 opening.
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.
You can see Topgolf in action in this video (app users click here to watch):
The chain serves up food, drinks and music while people of all ages enjoy competing in point-scoring games. It also features "top-shelf drinks," big screen TVs and places to relax between rounds, and hosts year-round golf events for kids and families.
The chain said it's considering building a three-level venue in Knoxville that features 1,500 feet of private event space and 72 climate-controlled hitting bays that can host up to six players at a time.
According to the Tennessean, general admittance is free, but hitting bays are rented by the hour with pricing varying based on time of day for a group of up to six players. The fees at the Nashville location include $25 an hour from opening to noon, $35 an hour from noon to 5 p.m. and $45 an hour from 5 p.m. to close.
Topgolf Chief Development Officer Chris Callaway said the University of Tennessee is a big factor in bringing the popular entertainment chain to Knoxville.
If plans progress, Topgolf would hire around 325 full and part-time workers to staff the Knoxville location.
Since Topgolf opened in Nashville last September, it has seen more than 135,000 visits and around 1,000 private events ranging from birthday parties to corporate outings.