Head to ‘The Bays’ for Rolling Meadows Park District’s new golf experience
West Meadows Ice Arena is set to become home to some of the world’s finest golf courses.
Rolling Meadows Park District is introducing The Bays at West Meadows at the ice arena located at 3939 Winnetka Ave., featuring two state-of-the art TrackMan simulator bays using precision technology and high-speed cameras to track both club and ball. With optically enhanced radar tracking, the simulators measure in real time everything from ball speed and launch angle to spin rate, club path and total distance.
Hundreds of courses are available for play on the simulators, including a wide range of championship venues, such as Royal Birkdale, Aronimink, Quail Hollow, Valhalla, Pinehurst, Oakmont, Royal Portrush and Royal Troon. The simulators also feature local favorites, such as Medinah, Conway Farms, Prairie Blue and Whitetail Ridge.
“Trackman simulators provide an incredible practice solution for the serious player, while excelling at the entertainment side as well,” said Jack Frakes, who represents TrackMan for the Chicago area. “As we like to say, golf is fun. Whether it be comparing your swing to our comprehensive library of Tour Model Swings in Shot Analysis, dialing in your distances in the TrackMan Combine or ‘Map My Bag,’ or playing a game of ‘Scrapyard’ with your kids, TrackMan software offers something for everyone.”
Construction for The Bays is underway in the former hockey shooting gallery and is expected to be completed this month. As part of the project, a wall has been removed to open the space for a lounge and seating area that will eventually offer food and beverage service for users.
“We are thrilled to bring this new feature to West Meadows and provide golfers with a year-round option to practice and improve their game,” said Bob Veller, Superintendent of Ice Arenas. “Our location right off Route 53 makes The Bays an easily accessible destination for gathering with friends, hosting a corporate outing or just spending an afternoon practicing your swing.”
Frakes said West Meadows is the perfect place to bring TrackMan to Rolling Meadows.
“Adding TrackMan Simulators to a multipurpose venue always gets me excited as I know it will introduce many individuals who may not have otherwise come across it,” Frakes said. “I can’t wait to see people visiting The Bays. Being just down the road, I plan to do so myself.”
Home to the Rolling Meadows Renegades youth hockey league, the Rolling Meadows Adult Hockey League and a full range of skating programs, West Meadows Ice Arena boasts an NHL-sized rink offering space for local, regional and state tournaments, and the Park District’s annual ice show. The facility also hosts lunchtime Public Skate events along with a variety of hockey camps and provides rental space for parties and meetings.
“The Bays will elevate West Meadows into a multiuse recreational space for the region,” Executive Director Nick Troy said. “By adding this new feature, we are creating an entirely new way to enjoy West Meadows while embodying our Vision to provide exceptional opportunities to Play, Learn and Grow.”
To learn more, visit rmparks.org.