Topgolf approved for southwest Charlotte site

Topgolf won approval Monday night for the company’s first golf entertainment complex in the area, to be located at Whitehall Corporate Center in southwest Charlotte.

Charlotte City Council voted unanimously to rezone a 15-acre site off West Arrowood Road at I-485, west of South Tryon Street. The site is owned by American Asset Corporation.

“This is economic development without incentives,” said Charlotte City Council member Kenny Smith, a Republican. “I think this is going to be a great thing for the city of Charlotte.”

Before settling on the Whitehall site, Topgolf had been in talks with the owners of the mostly vacant Coliseum Center on Independence Boulevard. But those talks fell through and Topgolf committed to southwest Charlotte.

Topgolf is a “golf entertainment complex” rather than a traditional golf course. The company offers games with targets where players have to hit balls as close to the bull’s eye as possible on a 240-yard course. The balls have microchips in them, recording the location where they hit and giving scores. Topgolf also has a full food and drink menu, and caters to golfers of all skill levels.

There are 28 Topgolf facilities planned or open nationwide.