Earlier this year, entrepreneur and PGA Professional Richard Harrison embarked on a journey full of ups and downs as he turned his vision of creating one of the largest and inclusive indoor golf experiences in the UK into a reality.
Richard is founder and CEO of The Golf Groove, a brand new indoor golf experience in south west London, situated in the heart of Wimbledon.
Learn from his visionary pursuit to democratise golf, turning a concept into reality despite setbacks and uncover the insights into creating an inclusive golf space using technology and high-quality service.
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Innovative funding approaches
Richard successfully utilised the Enterprise Investment Scheme for fundraising. He overcame setbacks in the application process to secure investors, but he was able to Emphasise ambitious plans to attract more funding.
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Strategic venue acquisition
Finding a suitable 11,000 sq. ft. venue was not easy and came with its own challenges, as too was finding a willing landlord. “We had to seek expert advice to ensure we were an attractive proposal to landlords and develop what is known in their trade as a Landlord Deck – a brochure of our business plan,” Richard explained.
“The property we are in was bought by a private family for £70m and within two days of their purchase being completed, we were approached to pitch to them, and they have been hugely supportive ever since.”
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Operational challenges and solutions
Richard dealt with lots of complexities that came with the installation of the venue, including taking six months to install WiFi. He handled various legal, architectural and building challenges. He stresses the importance of detailed planning, liaison with authorities and effective supplier management.
Richard recruited six PGA Professionals with diverse skills and ensured the team attracted a varied client base. He collaborated with local golf clubs for reciprocal agreements and coaching opportunities.
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Enhancing the customer experience
Collaborating with Callaway provided Golf Groove with the opportunity to offer virtual golf, fitting sessions and lessons at the facility. A bar, restaurant and roof terrace provides a comprehensive experience for visitors and Richard has already explored plans to scale the business, making golf sociable, engaging and welcoming for all.
Harrison's journey showcases resilience, creativity and a commitment to making golf accessible, offering invaluable lessons for PGA Members looking to start their own venture.
Richard added: “It has been a really tough project; however, the results so far speak for themselves. We have produced a fantastic product, which is attractive to a varied demographic. The customers so far love our product and come here to have a good time.”
CLICK HERE to read the full interview with Richard Harrison, plus many more interesting features and in the November issue of PGA Monthly.
