O’Fallon Golf Studio Brings New Indoor Golf Experience to the Community with Business Support from the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

O'Fallon Golf Studio Brings New Indoor Golf Experience to the Community with Business Support from the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

O'Fallon Golf Studio, a locally owned indoor golf simulator business, is bringing a new golfing experience to O'Fallon, Illinois, offering golfers a private space to practice and play using state-of-the-art equipment.

Owners retired US Air Force veteran Phillip Vickery and wife, Heather Vickery, chose O'Fallon as their home in retirement. The studio was established with two goals in mind: building a business together and giving back to the community they call home.

"Once we realized that this is where we want to stay and create our life into retirement, it was important to us to find something to give back to the O'Fallon community," Heather said.

O'Fallon Golf Studio features a single-bay indoor golf simulator equipped with top-of-the-line equipment. Its private setting gives customers the flexibility to enjoy their time however they choose whether to practice independently or play with a group.

The owners saw an opportunity to introduce a unique golfing experience to the local community while creating a business that would keep them connected to O'Fallon.

"There is no other golf simulator that duplicates, replicates, or mirrors what we're doing here," Phillip said. "Being the first one here, I think that it's a really great way to continue to tie into this community and keep things local."

The entrepreneurial journey to opening the studio was supported by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). Through mentoring, feedback and access to resources, the SBDC helped the owners navigate important steps in establishing their small business.

Phillip highlighted the guidance he received from SBDC director and advisor Jo Ann Di Maggio May, noting that the support helped them identify resources and navigate areas of business ownership they had not previously considered. May provided attorney referrals to review the studio's policies, insurance providers and funding resources, and connected the owners with the Belleville News-Democrat. An interview with the newspaper helped increase the studio's visibility and generate community interest.

"The mentoring that I received and the feedback that I received and resources that I received from the SBDC were fantastic," Phillip said.

"The SBDC and I are proud to welcome O'Fallon Golf Studio to the Metro East. Their decision to build their business here reflects the strength and opportunity of our region, and we look forward to supporting the Vickery family as they grow, succeed, and become an integral part of our business community," Di Maggio May stated emphatically.

About O'Fallon Golf Studio
O'Fallon Golf Studio is a locally owned indoor golf simulator business in O'Fallon, Illinois. Featuring a private, single-bay simulator and top-of-the-line equipment, the studio offers golfers a flexible space to practice and play, whether individually or with a group. The business was established by retired military veterans Phillip and Heather Vickery, who are committed to staying involved in and giving back to their local community.

To learn more about memberships and booking availability, visit www.ofallongolfstudio.com.

About the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East at SIUE
The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides guidance and resources to help entrepreneurs and small business owners start, manage and grow their businesses. Through business advising, mentoring and connections to relevant resources, the SBDC supports entrepreneurs as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of small business ownership.

To learn how these no-cost services may help your business venture, visit our website or contact the SBDC at (618) 650-2929 or [email protected].