Grass Clippings Rolling Hills Opens New Toptracer Range
Tempe, Ariz. (November 1, 2024) – Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Ariz. officially opened its new Toptracer Range, an outdoor, technology-driven, hospitality-focused entertainment and practice location on November 1st. The Range opening coincides with the reopening of Grass Clippings’ 18-hole golf course from overseed to day and night-time play. Toptracer Range allows golfers to play virtual games, see their shots traced, compete against friends and receive instant feedback on distance and clubhead speed. The fully lit Toptracer Range is open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight with hitting bays available to rent by the hour (includes unlimited golf balls) or medium and large buckets of practice balls are available for purchase for shorter practice sessions.
Completely renovated over the past four months, Grass Clippings’ new Range features 35 hitting bays, including 25 covered bays with Toptracer technology and monitors as well as 10 uncovered hitting bays. A full-time range host will help guests download the free Toptracer Range app, explain gaming options and answer questions, while a new sound system playing the latest tunes, a full-service bar and authentic Mexican fare from the Taco Del Valle Lalocura food truck will create a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. During hotter months, a misting system will help keep golfers cool and comfortable. Grass Clippings branded targets dot the Range at various yardages, providing golfers with aiming points to sharpen their skills. The Range currently has a maximum distance of 215 yards with planning underway to either extend the range or increase the height of the netting to allow golfers to hit a driver. Additional improvements are planned for the Range in the weeks and months ahead, including adding multiple televisions and more turf.
At Grass Clippings’ Toptracer Range guests enjoy the same ball-tracing technology used on television to track the shots of the game’s best players while hitting real golf balls and receiving instant shot data in the palm of their hand through the Toptracer Range app. Shots are recorded on the app so that golfers can make swing adjustments and immediately see the impact on their golf shots. Through the truly interactive and individualized experience, golfers of all ages and ability levels can enjoy Grass Clippings’ Toptracer Range.
"Our brand-new driving range experience powered by Toptracer technology will be a huge hit with all guests of Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, both day and night,” said Grass Clippings Co-Founder Jake Hoselton. “At any given time throughout the day, we’ll have guests sharpening their skills using the latest technology to track their stats, casual golfers enjoying time with friends, and players warming up for their round on our 18-hole course. The laid-back vibe will suit players of all abilities, and everyone is welcome.”
In addition to the new Toptracer Range, Grass Clippings Rolling Hills will soon open its new Glenrosa Bar, a precursor to the Glenrosa Restaurant coming in spring 2025. The Sonoran, Mexico-themed beach bar will open to the public by the end of November and is located adjacent to the 15,000 square-foot practice putting green and near the first tee. With signature cocktails, 12 televisions, bar and table seating for 100-plus and nightly service until 1 a.m., the Glenrosa Bar is destined to be the ultimate golf and beach-themed hangout.
Grass Clippings Rolling Hills’ Toptracer Range can be rented by groups for events, holiday parties and fundraisers by contacting events@grassclippingsaz.com. For more information on the new Toptracer Range, visit https://grassclippingsaz.com/pages/toptracer-driving-range.
About Grass Clippings Rolling Hills
On March 2, 2023, the Tempe City Council approved Grass Clippings’ plan to overhaul and operate Rolling Hills Golf Course. Grass Clippings executed a long-term lease with the City of Tempe and took over the property on July 1st of last year, with Troon immediately assuming management of daily operations. Scottsdale-based WestHawk Capital partnered with Grass Clippings to lead a $15 million round of equity capitalization to finance the complete renovation of the facility, including the installation of lights and the full F&B and amenity package currently under development. The golf course reopened on Friday, November 3, 2023 following a four-month golf course renovation project and rye grass overseed, construction of a newly designed 9th hole, new tee boxes, installation of a new state-of-the-art irrigation system to improve turf quality, and a new 15,000 sq. ft. practice putting green. Grass Clippings Rolling Hills then opened to night golf play on Friday, December 1, 2023 and instantly became a favorite destination for golfers. More than 78 LED lights illuminate the golf course, which plays as a par 54, par-3 golf course at night and as an executive-length golf course (with par 3s and 4s) during the day. Golfers are able to track ball flight through the night sky on holes that range from 90 to 200-plus yards, while enjoying 360-degree views of downtown Tempe, Sky Harbor Airport, downtown Phoenix, the Phoenix Zoo and the nighttime silhouette of Papago Buttes.
The introduction of lights and night golf is just the beginning for the golf and entertainment venue, the flagship location for Grass Clippings’ cutting-edge vision. The team unveiled a refurbished golf shop in May 2024 and is in the process of renovating the clubhouse, adding a new Mexican food restaurant (Glenrosa) and a patio bar. In addition, Grass Clippings Rolling Hills will add a hilltop bar near hole 8, an activity lawn and video display, and an entertainment site for live music, markets, and events, with full completion of all projects targeted for 2025. For more information on Grass Clippings Rolling Hills, visit https://grassclippingsaz.com.
About Grass Clippings
Grass Clippings was originally founded in 2018 as a company dedicated to growing the game of golf and celebrating the greens keepers that make the game possible. In 2019, after hosting the first Grass Clippings Open, Grass Clippings launched a line of golf apparel and opened its first retail shop, located at 39th St. and Campbell in Phoenix. The Grass Clippings Open grew rapidly and by 2022 had outgrown its venue. As co-founder Pete Wilson explained, “We needed a venue we could grow with.” The Grass Clippings Open is poised to be the greatest par 3 golf tournament in the world. Follow Grass Clippings Rolling Hills on Instagram at @grassclippings.rollinghills and on X @GrassClippingsc.
About WestHawk Capital
WestHawk Capital is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based investment management firm who partners emerging real estate sponsors with scalable investment strategies to accelerate the growth of their platforms. Additionally, WestHawk partners with operating businesses who require strategic real estate investments to achieve their growth. WestHawk has partnered with Grass Clippings to capitalize the real estate in the rollout of a pioneering concept in par 3 night (lighted) golf courses, beginning with the 2023, $15 million funding for the transformation of Grass Clippings Rolling Hills in Tempe, Arizona. WestHawk makes these investments both directly and through its affiliated commercial real estate investment operating platform Alignment Realty Capital. For more information, visit www.westhawkcapital.com or contact Gary Linhart at gary@westhawkcapital.com.