In this episode of Chicago Golf Report, we talk with Bertrand Quentin, one the founders of Megalodome Golf, to discuss one of the most ambitious golf projects ever proposed — the world’s first full-scale indoor golf course.

After seven years of research and development, the Megalodome team is preparing to build a climate-controlled golf facility that allows golfers to hit full driver shots inside a massive dome structure — three times larger than traditional golf domes.

• Each dome measures approximately 300 feet wide by 900 feet long (300 yards) — long enough for full driver play

The full vision includes a four-dome complex:

Unlike traditional private clubs, Megalodome plans to operate primarily on a green-fee model, not memberships.

Key revenue streams include:

Because the course uses artificial turf and trees, maintenance costs are dramatically reduced compared to traditional outdoor facilities — creating a high-margin operating model.

The first target market is the Chicagoland area, particularly the Oswego/Naperville corridor west of the city. The region’s long winter season creates a natural off-season for golf — which Megalodome aims to eliminate.

There is also interest from:

One strategic option under consideration is partnering with existing 27-hole courses and converting nine holes into an indoor Megalodome facility.

The project is currently raising $50–$60 million through a Private Placement Memorandum under Rule 506(c).

If full funding isn’t secured immediately, the facility may be built in phases — starting with the practice dome.

Imagine playing a full round of golf in January… in Chicago.

Palm trees overhead. Blue “sky” ceiling. A two-hour round. Grab a beer afterward — just like a traditional course.

The founders believe this could redefine how and when golf is played, turning it into a true 12-month sport in northern climates.

In this episode of the Chicago Golf Report Podcast, we meet Don Borschel, founder of The Haven Indoor Golf in Palos Heights, Illinois, to break down what it really takes to build and operate a successful standalone indoor golf simulator business.

Opened in December 2021 after Don pivoted from a corporate finance career during COVID, The Haven is intentionally built for serious golfers. Instead of leaning into arcade-style gaming, the facility is powered by high-accuracy Foresight technology, delivering the kind of real ball data competitive players demand.

But the story goes far deeper than just great tech.

Don transformed a former independent drugstore in his hometown into a four-bay indoor golf simulator facility complete with a full bar and food service. The build-out process? Excruciating.

From liquor license requirements (which forced the addition of a kitchen) to ADA compliance and bathroom size regulations, the design went through multiple iterations before landing on the final layout. The lesson: zoning, licensing, and infrastructure decisions can make or break your financial model.

If you think indoor golf is passive income, think again.

Don shares that in the early stages, he was working 80–100 hours per week just to build systems and train staff. Winter is the prime season — and it’s a grind. From screen replacements to mat wear-and-tear (and even protecting screens from Sharpie-marked golf balls), maintaining a premium experience requires constant oversight.

This isn’t absentee ownership. It’s hands-on.

The Haven’s retention strategy focuses on replicating the real golf experience:

Don also partners with instructors to drive lesson traffic — creating a pipeline of serious golfers who return regularly to practice and improve.

And one underrated strategy? Steering beginners toward easier courses so they leave having fun — not frustrated.

In the last decade, the Chicago area has gone from fewer than 20 standalone simulator businesses to over 110. That kind of growth brings opportunity — and saturation.

Today’s customers are far more educated about simulator technology. They expect accuracy. They expect realism. And they’re willing to drive 20–30 minutes for a premium experience.

With the rise of televised indoor leagues like TGL, the legitimacy of indoor golf continues to grow — but summer seasonality and fixed overhead remain major business challenges.

If you’re considering opening a simulator business — or you’re just curious how the indoor golf economy really works — this episode delivers practical, boots-on-the-ground insight from someone living it every day.

Colin shares how outdated, friction-heavy club systems are costing staff time and frustrating members—and how Whoosh was built to fix that.

The future of golf and club management isn’t more tech—it’s less friction. Whoosh is betting that when technology disappears into the background, both staff and members win.

We also talk about the new era of golf media: the fragmentation of content, why it’s a net positive, and how creators are changing storytelling around major events. Roger reflects on the 2025 Ryder Cup, then shares big hopes for the Presidents Cup in Chicago—a chance for a true “redemption story,” stronger team energy, and a global spotlight on the city (and the newly redesigned Medinah Country Club).

Finally, Roger highlights his work making golf more inclusive in Chicago along with KemperSports, and calls out the local courses that matter most—plus his personal philosophy on competition, curiosity, and improving while balancing parenthood.

Alex brings a unique perspective as a former collegiate and professional golfer turned strength and conditioning coach for some of the world’s top PGA Tour players. Throughout the conversation, he breaks down how modern golfers can train like the pros, optimize mobility and strength, reduce injury risk, and build athletic foundations that translate directly to better performance on the golf course. 

Whether you’re a competitive player, a coach, or someone looking to elevate your golf game through physical training, Alex’s insights bridge the gap between sport science and practical golf-specific conditioning. Expect expert tips on effective training routines, the role of power and flexibility in the golf swing, and how mindset and preparation off the course can drive results on it. 

Alex Bennett is the Director of Athletic Performance at the PGA Tour Performance Center, where he develops training programs for elite professional golfers. With a background in competitive golf and advanced performance training, Alex offers a clear and relatable approach to improving golf through physical preparedness.

In this all-new Chicago Golf Report Podcast episode, we go behind the scenes with Jim Schiavo, the dynamic General Manager of Topgolf Naperville—one of Chicagoland’s most popular year-round golf and entertainment destinations.

With more than a decade of leadership in hospitality, operations, and growth strategy, Jim offers a rare inside look at how ?@Topgolf? continues to reinvent the way people experience golf. From fostering community and growing the game to delivering cutting-edge entertainment experiences, Jim reveals what it takes to run one of the busiest and most innovative venues in the Midwest.

Discover how Topgolf blends technology, fun, and accessibility to attract golfers of every skill level—and how the Naperville venue has become a hub for social connection, corporate events, youth development, and serious practice sessions alike. Jim also shares insights into team culture, guest experience, operational excellence, and what the future holds for golf entertainment.

Whether you’re a traditional golfer, a Topgolf regular, or fascinated by the future of the sport, this episode offers a front-row seat to the evolution of golf in Chicagoland.

Jim Schiavo is the General Manager of Topgolf Naperville, overseeing one of the busiest Topgolf venues in the country. With a career rooted in hospitality, operations, and people-first leadership, Jim is passionate about creating unforgettable experiences and expanding access to the game of golf for all.

In this episode of the Chicago Golf Report Podcast, we dive deep into the mind and methods of Dan Dinelli, the legendary superintendent of North Shore Country Club. With over four decades at one of Chicago’s premier golf facilities, Dinelli has transformed traditional turf management into a visionary model of ecosystem stewardship.

Discover how three generations of golf course superintendents shaped Dinelli’s philosophy—and how his blend of science, sustainability, and long-term planning continues to influence the future of golf. From navigating massive infrastructure projects like a 1,400-foot deep well to leading a world-class team with humility and presence, Dinelli shares hard-earned insights into what it takes to sustain excellence over time.

Learn why he believes a golf course should be managed as a living, self-sustaining ecosystem, how patience and prevention outweigh short-term fixes, and how emerging tools like Artificial Intelligence are redefining how superintendents learn, communicate, and lead.

Dan Dinelli, CGCS, has dedicated his life to North Shore Country Club, where his work and philosophy have made him one of the most respected voices in golf course management nationwide. Dan was recently inducted into the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame.

Our guests this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast are Steve Ciancio and Josh Lesnick of Magellan Jets, a Boston-based private aviation company that provides on-demand charter, jet card ownership, and fractional ownership services. Unlike traditional airlines, the company operates with an “asset-light” business model, utilizing a rigorously vetted network of third-party aircraft and crews to ensure clients have access to a wide range of jets.

In this interview, Ciancio and Lesnick discuss the benefits of private aviation for golf enthusiasts. They highlight how the company’s services, which include on-demand charter and jet card ownership, offer convenience, time savings, and personalized experiences for golfers. The interview touches on the cost-effectiveness of private jet travel for groups, the ability to access remote airports near top golf courses, and Magellan Jets’ future plans to partner with tour operators to provide comprehensive golf travel packages.

Interviewer – Walter Lis. Highlights from our discussion:

Our guest this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast is Joe Pilcavage, the Vice President of Marketing at Blue Tees Golf, a company that designs and sells premium golf technology and accessories directly to consumers at affordable prices. Frustrated by the high cost of traditional golf equipment, Blue Tees Golf founders set out to create high-quality laser rangefinders, GPS speakers and wearable technology without the inflated markups.

Blue Tees Golf is a partner of Upper Deck Golf, which returns to Wrigley Field April 11-12.

Interviewer – Walter Lis. Highlights from our discussion:

Our guest this episode of The Chicago Golf Report podcast is author and Chicago Golf Club historian John Moran. “The Prairie Raynor” by John Moran and Rand Jerris has been selected as the recipient of the USGA’s Herbert Warren Wind Award, recognizing the book as an outstanding work of golf literature.

“The Prairie Raynor” details Chicago Golf Club’s historic transformation – from its status as one of the USGA’s five founding clubs and host of eight national championships, its existential crisis in the wake of World War I, and its subsequent renaissance under Raynor’s masterful eye to its ultimate legacy as one of the nation’s most celebrated designs.

Moran has been a part of the club’s story for nearly 50 years, starting as a caddie in 1977 and becoming a member in 1986. After retiring in 2021 from a successful career in both for-profit and non-profit management, he now serves on the board of the Chicago Golf Club, where he remains dedicated to preserving its rich legacy.

Highlights from our discussion: