Hidden Gems: Meet Sam Duehring of Brookfields Indoor Golf & Lounge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Duehring.

Hi Sam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin, moved to The Triangle in 1994. I consider myself a North Carolinian, but Wisconsin will always be a special place as my father’s side of the family is still all in the Milwaukee area. I grew up playing Ice Hockey in Raleigh for many years. Hockey was my life, I worked hard enough to be able to play D1 Prep Hockey in New England for a couple of years, the “dream” was crushed by injury.

I ended up playing Club Ice Hockey at East Carolina University and this is where my life much started to form. I met all of my best friends at school through the hockey team and we are all fortunate enough to have moved to Raleigh/Wake Forest after school and we’re all still really close. As for Golf, that love came into my life a couple of years after College.

The game of golf itself has given me an opportunity to work on myself as a person and I guess you could say I find solitude in it. As for Brookfields Indoor Golf & Lounge, it’s an idea I put together over the last three years and this location came out exactly as I imagined. I love being able to share my vision with Wake Forest and the community that we’re involved with.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I had no clue how to put a business plan together or what the entire project would actually take, physically, mentally, or financially. I learned a lot when putting this plan together and completing it. The entire process was a “family affair”. My first general contractor quote was a number that made me think I’d never get to fulfill this opportunity.

As for “family affair” a couple of weeks before lease execution, my good friend called and said he just got his general contracting license and says “let’s do it!”. We built this place from an empty shell to what it is today every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for about four months.

The bar was custom-built by my best friend’s father. We hand-built all the tables, high tops, and window bars. It was a business on a budget and we made it work!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Brookfields Indoor Golf & Lounge?
At Brookfields Indoor Golf & Lounge, we specialize in simulated indoor golf. We have three state-of-the-art golf simulators. You won’t find simulators like this anywhere in the area and are very scarce up and down the east coast. Golfers in Wake Forest and the Triangle are spoiled with accuracy, over 100 world-famous courses to choose from, and more. The Full Swing Golf (company I purchased sims from) simulators are rated #1 Golf Simulator by Golf Digest for the last few years running.

The machines also have the ability to simulate other sports as well! We have soccer, baseball, zombie dodgeball, hockey, and more. We have beer and wine available, free popcorn, and an amazing view of the Ice Rink at the Factory. The Hockey parents get to enjoy the view from above the ice in a climate-controlled space while having beers, wine, and popcorn. I am most proud of the community where we’ve placed our first location. We have been spoiled by our customers since the day we opened.

Whether my customers are coming to golf or watch their kids play hockey, everyone loves that we’ve made this addition to Wake Forest. The space we have is perfect for large group/corporate events, we do live music most weekends and the bar is always open for those that just want to lounge and have a beer during the game.

How do you think about happiness?
Being on the beach with my wife and a drink in hand. If I can’t get that every day, I’d settle for a 10 am tee time at my favorite course with the boys five days a week. I’m happy when my wife, family, and friends are happy. I have the best friends, wife, and family I could ask for.

I’m spoiled. I wouldn’t be here writing this without any of them. I’m also selfish. I love my alone time.

Pricing:

• $50/hour for sim rental
• Group Party rates (prices vary)
• Corporate event rates (prices vary)

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: brookfieldsindoorgolf.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brookfieldsindoorgolf/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brookfieldsindoorgolf/