The Range at KC brings first-of-its-kind entertainment experience to Quincy

QUINCY — Completion of The Range at KC has rendered the former Knights of Columbus driving range almost entirely unrecognizable, with 30 heat-covered bays, a 4,000 square foot bar and dining area and a revived driving range outfitted with glowing red and blue hole markers.

Plans for the Topgolf-like facility were announced in January, ground was broken in February, and now, after months of construction, they’re set to open their doors to the public for the first time Friday. 

“(The facility is) beautiful. It’s run very smooth, the inside is state of the art,” Struther Wand, a guest at a members-only preview held Thursday night, said. “It’s going to be a great spot.”

The facility, built by J&N Construction, is the first of its kind in the area and the only one within an 85-mile radius to feature Toptracer range technology. According to its website, Toptracer “is an ‘Official Range Technology’ of the PGA of America” that utilizes specialized cameras to trace ball stats and the trajectory of each shot. A screen displays a virtual course and recreates each shot precisely in real time,  providing the player with valuable insights that can be used to help improve their game out on the golf course.

The Toptracer app makes the experience even more interactive, enabling users to track the quality of their performances on their phones. Skill-based games allow players to compete against each other, whether they’re in the same bay or in a completely different location.

There’s also several programs available for those who just want to play for fun, including kid-friendly games such as golf versions of ‘Go Fish’ and ‘Angry Birds’.

Dallas-based company Topgolf has popularized the golf entertainment concept over the years since its inception in the early 2000s. It has grown to over 80 locations across the US, with the closest to Quincy being almost two hours away in Chesterfield, Mo. Topgolf locations employ the same Toptracer technology that can now be found right here in Quincy at The Range.

Owners Trevor Beck, Nick Hiland and Kelby Rescinito have a 20-plus year leasing agreement with the Columbus Home Association for the driving range and the par-3 golf course. The facility is expected to draw visitors from several surrounding communities.

The concept is intended to be approachable for all players, regardless of skill set, prior experience and whether or not they own any equipment; a full bag of clubs is positioned at each bay, along with a motion activated ball dispenser with an 1,800 ball capacity. 

“Golf in this area, it gets overshadowed a lot, but it’s huge,” Wand said. “Anybody — from your lawyers and doctors… to your blue collar farmers and cashiers — everybody plays golf in this area. So the fact that we have this kind of setup now to implement in our games and have fun is perfect.”

In addition to the innovative and interactive technology and a year-round relaxing outdoor atmosphere, The Range also offers an unexpectedly unique food menu curated by Kaela Rickard and Andy Spencer, who each bring several years of experience in various roles within the food and beverage industry. 

Beck, Hiland and Rescinito requested wings, pizza and smashburgers be on the menu, but gave the pair creative freedom when formulating flavor combinations.

“We’re excited to bring possibly new flavor to Quincy, and also try to work with the freshest ingredients as possible and try to do as much as we can from scratch,” Spencer said. 

The Lucille pizza is a tried and true favorite of Rickard’s — her middle name is its namesake — with mozzarella, goat cheese, red sauce, garlic oil, ham and red onion. The Island Green pizza’s star ingredient is al pastor meat, while the Texas Wedge’s is BBQ brisket (which is also available on nachos). Their dough is made from scratch, employing a Quincy-born recipe.

In addition to specialty pizzas, there’s also specialty smashburgers, such as the Mediterranean Sunset — a double smashburger with an olive tapenade, goat cheese, pepperoncini peppers and a balsamic reduction — and the Lu-Ah — a double smashburger with ham, grilled pineapple, BBQ and cilantro.

“What people will see that’s different is the creativity they have in the back with this,” Hiland said. “Or, if you’re a traditionalist, you’re going to have delicious flavors there as well. I think it’s going to hit the entire spectrum of what people want to eat.”

Guests can order while playing in the bays or hanging out in the dining area, which features a full bar and several tables and TVs. There’s also an outdoor seating area on the west side of the establishment.

If a guest wishes to buy their own clubs — or tees, golf balls or Range merch — they can visit the R&R Golf Pro Shop located at the very front of the facility. The shop at The Range is just a sample of all the equipment R&R Golf sells at their primary location located at 1424 N. 24th.

Bays can be rented by the hour (one hour minimum) with prices varying upon day and time. Each one can accommodate up to six adults at once.

Memberships are also available, though limited: 300 individual memberships will be sold for $100 per month, allowing an hour of playing time per day with the option to bring a guest for an additional $5; 100 corporate memberships will be sold for $350 per month, allowing an hour of playing time per day for up to six people, half price on extended time in the bays and discounts on large event planning. Both memberships include various other exclusive discounts and member appreciation days.

Beck said the memberships are primarily catered to guests who anticipate visiting on a regular basis, and that having one is definitely not a requirement to play. 

Wand wasn’t planning on becoming a member until he discovered how much the Toptracer technology could actually improve his skills in real life. He didn’t hesitate when asked if he saw himself spending a significant amount of time at The Range.

“Absolutely, yes. Absolutely,” Wand said. “Before tournaments, before going and playing around… See how my shots are being hit, how they’re flying, and then going out and transferring this to the real course… I think it’s going to be great for the community.”

The Range at KC is located at 830 S. 36th Street in Quincy. They’re open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the kitchen open at 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the bar is open until 1 a.m. More information can be found online or by phone at (217) 214-GOLF.

Photos by Aspen Gengenbacher.