LOWER MACUNGIE TWP, Pa. - Two mixed-use development proposals are moving forward after getting recommendations from the Lower Macungie Township planning commission, LehighValleyNews.com reported Thursday.
If both are approved and built, they’ll bring significant retail, residential and entertainment spaces to the township.
- Topgolf could be coming to Lower Macungie Township
- It would be just the third Topgolf facility in Pennsylvania
- The closest one to the Lehigh Valley is in Philadelphia
One part of that plan seems to have locals very excited.
A Topgolf facility could be included—just the third in Pennsylvania. There now are locations in the Philadelphia area—one dubbed “Philadelphia Northeast” at 2140 Byberry Road, and another in Mount Laurel, NJ, just across the river—as well as a location in Pittsburgh.
But what is Topgolf, and why do reports say it’s helping to reshape the demographics of the sport?
‘It’s golf. It’s not golf. It’s Topgolf’
Those seven words make up the slogan of Topgolf, which is as much about the off-course experience as the actual golfing.
It’s a bustling entertainment center that’s a cross between a driving range and a sports bar, with a built-in sound system pumping out music.
The Philadelphia venue is three floors and has more than 100 all-weather bays and Topgolf games. Plus, there’s no old-school protocol on what to wear, who tees off first, or any other golf etiquette that would be observed on a traditional 18-hole course.
What are Topgolf games?
Topgolf is the signature game. Players score points by hitting balls (using microchip technology) into any target. The more accurate the shot and the farther the distance, the more points are earned.
Golfers also can play more than a dozen games, such as Angry Birds, Jewel Jam and many more.
What about food and drinks?
The Topgolf website advises you to “come hungry for delicious shareables, desserts, dips, burgers and more.”
The Philly location includes things such as soups and salads, wings, flatbreads, burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. There also are “injectable donut holes” for dessert – filled with chocolate sauce, raspberry jelly, Bavarian cream or seasonal flavors.
Drinks include non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, including margaritas, as well as local beers on tap.
What else should I know?
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve never picked up a golf club before, we’re pretty certain you’ll have fun at Topgolf since our whole experience is focused on cutting loose with friends and family,” Gen Gray, chief operating officer for Topgolf, previously said in a news release about Topgolf expanding its footprint in other areas.
Each bay is priced by the hour, with the hourly rate varying by day and time, plus a one-time member fee for new players.
But seeing a Topgolf facility built here is not yet a sure thing.
The applicants are requesting a zoning change to allow the mixed-use development, and there are steps that need to happen for the proposal to move forward.
The board said there are issues that need to be addressed, including light pollution and establishing operating hours.
A conditional use hearing is to be scheduled for the development, at which further details will be put before the public and township officials.
