A young man takes a swing at a golf ball on Tuesday, May 14, at the new Iron Tee Golf entertainment facility at 6909 Iron Tee Way, Bettendorf. Tuesday was the grand opening day for $35 million development. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Charlie Saddoris stopped by the new Iron Tee Golf entertainment facility late Tuesday, May 14, to see what all the fuss was about. After playing the “Let’s Bounce” game in the arcade section of Iron Tee, he had a chance to look around and reflect on the many features offered at the new $35 million, […]
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Charlie Saddoris stopped by the new Iron Tee Golf entertainment facility late Tuesday, May 14, to see what all the fuss was about.After playing the “Let’s Bounce” game in the arcade section of Iron Tee, he had a chance to look around and reflect on the many features offered at the new $35 million, 61,000-square-foot entertainment facility in north Bettendorf.
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Ryan Hintze, CEO of Iron Tee Golf, cuts the ribbon on Tuesday, May 14, during grand opening events for the new Bettendorf entertainment facility. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
The new Iron Tee Golf is located at 6909 Iron Tee Way, Bettendorf, near the TBK Bank Sports Complex. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
These are some of the games in the arcade area of the new Iron Tee Golf entertainment facility. The $35 million complex, located at 6909 Iron Tee Way, Bettendorf, held its grand opening on Tuesday, May 14. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Charlie Saddoris plays one of the games in the arcade area.
Ryan Hintze and his family are shown in front of the Iron Tee.
A crowd watches the grand opening for the Iron Tee.
This is a first floor bay area at the Iron Tee.
This is the restaurant area of the Iron Tee.
“It’s super awesome. I can tell they put a lot of work into this place,” the Davenport man said.Mr. Saddoris was one of hundreds of Quad-Citizens to look over the Iron Tee on its grand opening day.The celebration included welcoming remarks by business and community leaders, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a first look for many visitors at the new facility at 6909 Iron Tee Way, near the TBK Bank Sports Complex.Some of the features at the Iron Tee include: a full-service restaurant, arcade, games, bars, many big-screen TVs and meeting rooms. But the main attraction for the golfing fans is the golf driving range with 58 bays located on three levels and the series of large poles that support the netting around the range.“I think it’s beautiful. I’ve been watching the poles go up here for a long time. … It’s going to be a great addition to this area,” said Bettendorf Alderman Frank Baden said after he toured much of the facility.Other guests at the grand opening also remarked on how Iron Tee will be a welcome addition to the many other businesses and sports-related activities in The Plex business area of Bettendorf. In fact, the term “synergy” was often repeated in those comments as officials remarked how the combined power of the businesses would work together to attract more people and tourism dollars to the community.“This is a great opportunity for the synergy to continue. … Thank you for your investment and taking a risk,” Bettendorf Mayor Bob Gallagher said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the entrance of Iron Tee.In fact, Tuesday was a big day for business developments in The Plex. In addition to Iron Tee’s grand opening, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for a new $18 million SpringHill Suites by Marriott that is being built almost next door to the golf entertainment facility.Like the future hotel, Iron Tee took years of planning and building before the facility became a reality. Ryan Hintze, CEO of Iron Tee Golf and the owner/operator of Corn Belt Capital, told the crowd on Tuesday that it has been 1,170 days since he came up with the idea to build the golf entertainment facility.“It’s been a long journey to get here. Let’s get this rolling,” he added before he snipped a ribbon to officially open Iron Tee.Some of the features visitors will find in the new Iron Tee facility include:
Golf bays: Much of the facility centers around a state-of-the-art, temperature-controlled driving range with 58 bays that can hold six players per bay. (There are 14 bays on the first floor, and 22 each on the second and third floors.) The facility also is equipped with Trackman Technology for golf ball tracking and a variety of interactive target greens. Golf equipment rental is available.
Other entertainment: Not a golf fan? The Iron Tee has many other activities for the family, including a 10,000-square-foot arcade area on the first floor of the new facility.
Event space: There is space and bar areas for company events and private parties. That space includes a lounge that can seat 150 guests on the second level, and a ballroom on the third level.
Food and drinks: The Iron Tee Golf facility has a full-service restaurant that seats about 150 guests. There are also bars on every level that serve 12 taps of beer.
Many TVs: Guests will find more than 160 large-screen TVs throughout Iron Tee. Many of those TVs are 100-inch screens.
Workforce: Iron Tee employs about 170 people. Iron Tee is still looking for employees. Go here for more information on employment opportunities.
Those many features are just part of the story of the new Iron Tee. During the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Dave Herrell, president and CEO of Visit Quad Cities, said the main power of the new entertainment venue is that it will be a place “where people want to make memories.”“This is a regional asset and this is part of our story. … This will drive our community forward,” he added.But the Iron Tee won't be the last place in The Plex that will help drive the community forward and attract visitors to the region. As people celebrated the opening of the new facility on Tuesday, a work crew was busy next door. They are currently building a new $12 million indoor sports facility that is expected to be complete next year.
