A Swinging Good Time at TopGolf

“I like to think of it as the Dave & Buster’s of golf,” Willie Wilson said, smiling as he talked about TopGolf Alexandria where he has been general manager for two months.

Of course the Baltimore native is smiling. It is a beautiful Friday afternoon, TopGolf is busy with people of all ages, the smell of golden French fries lightly scents the air, and he’s a golfer.

“I found out about this opportunity through a recruiter, and since I do play golf, it was an easy decision to make because it’s a great place to work,” Wilson said.

He’d been a regional manager for Five Guys, as well as a company that ran multiple-concept facilities at places like airports and college campuses. But this is golf.

“Not many people get a chance to not only enjoy what they do, but have a job that also pertains to something they do on their leisure time,” he said.

Summer is a great time to get into the swing of things at TopGolf. On July 16th, Twisted Tea and Sam Adams Present: Kevin and Rock Inaugural TopGolf Open, which features radio hosts from sports station 106.7 The Fan.

Every day you can play golf games, including miniature golf, well into the night, and Wilson said the new Friday night Patio Palooza events are already popular.

“A lot of people have the perception that we are a driving range, which we are not,” Wilson said. “We’re a sports facility because the golfing game is designed to create a fun atmosphere. We have the targets that you can aim at which, if you’re an avid golfer, can help you strengthen where you want to hit the ball and also track your flight and your distance. But then you can also hang out and socialize with friends,” Wilson said.

TopGolf also has golf pros, a golf academy and a unique service where you can have your golf clubs fitted – like a tailor-made suit – and shipped to TopGolf for immediate use.

The Kingstowne Area TopGolf was the first of four in the U.S. for the United Kingdom-based company. The location was chosen because of its proximity to Washington, DC.

Wilson said TopGolf is a hit among 21- to 35-year old males who want to give golf a try, but “as time goes on more and more females are coming out, and seniors.” In fact, a couple that met at the Chicago area TopGolf is planning to get married there.

Wilson is a family man, so in addition to the golf he likes the fact that the environment is welcoming to everyone.

“We have a little bit of everything,” he said. “We have families to come out. We have people out on a date. We have friends that get together and meet here. We host corporate events. We have birthday parties. All of those different types of things.”

And if you just want to enjoy a burger and fries while watching other people golf at a tee or on TV, that’s fine, too.

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TopGolf Alexandria

6625 S. Van Dorn St. Alexandria, VA 22315, 703-924-2600, http://topgolf.com/alexandria/

 Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday: 8:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.; Sunday: 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.