After a 10-year hiatus, Rick Sinotte has re-opened the once-popular Horseshoe Highlands Driving Range.
Sinotte says at one time, the driving range at 85 Highland Dr. in Oro-Medonte Township was "the best driving range around."
"We spent some money on some seed, bought some flags, got some equipment, and we've been open for a week now," he explained. "We have small buckets and large buckets and will be open seven days a week."
The Horseshoe Highlands Driving Range is "long" and uphill, which makes it a hole-in-one for local golfers, he said.
"When you use the driving range you are overlooking the 18th hole of the old Highlands golf course," Sinotte said.
Sinotte, who also manages Horseshoe Valley Golf Zone — equipped with indoor golf simulators — at the same location, says the driving range is fully licensed.
"There aren't too many driving ranges out there that are licensed," he said. "You can come hit a bucket of balls and then sit on the deck and have a beer."
The driving range is equipped with both real and artificial turf; each golfer can choose their preference.
"That's a must," Sinotte said. "All the feedback we've had so far has been fantastic."
Sinotte says people who live in the Horseshoe Valley area are "ecstatic" to see a driving range in the area for the first time in a decade.
"Almost everyone in the area has a set of clubs in their garage," he said. "A lot of them are members of Horseshoe Golf and Braestone, which don't have a driving range."
While Sinotte says he's not competing with anybody in the area, prices will be fair. A large bucket of balls costs $20 and a small bucket costs $10.
There are also two membership packages available. To get half price on a big bucket of balls every day of the season, it costs $125. To get a large bucket of balls at no additional cost every day of the season, it costs $400.
"After 20 times of using the driving range, you're driving for free," Sinotte explains of his premium membership. "A lot of people who live out there will go out there five to seven days a week to hit balls."
The driving range will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but Sinotte promises to be flexible for golfers who would like to swing earlier or later.
"I'm a customer-oriented person," he said.
To book a time, call 705-345-5360.
