Business Owner Drives Success into Downtown Tampa with Indoor Driving Range

Hidden Fairway Golf Club in Hillsborough County

Nestled in the heart of North Hyde Park, business owner and University of South Florida alum, Damian Garcia, brings an innovative indoor driving range to downtown Tampa. As an avid golfer, Garcia was quick to notice the need for an indoor driving range where golfers could effectively practice their swing while other guests could enjoy the ample space to gather. That’s when Garcia created Hidden Fairway Golf Club, a unique business that combines state-of-the-art technology with his love of golf.

“I’ve always been an avid golfer, but I noticed that people in downtown Tampa were having to drive 30 minutes to go play any time after 6pm, so I tried to bring the best of everything in an environment where they can be here from 5am to 2am,” Garcia said with a smile.

When the business owner first conceived the idea of an indoor driving range, he knew he needed expert guidance to turn his dream into a reality. That’s when he remembered about the Florida SBDC at USF.  “I originally learned about the Florida SBDC at USF when I was actually a student at USF. I remember seeing it I believe back in 2014, 2015, when I was a bicycle delivery driver for Jimmy Johns, and I kept it in the back of my head. Right around Covid, when the wheels for business started that’s where I reached out,” Garcia recalls.

Once he reached out to his local Florida SBDC, the entrepreneur was paired with Florida SBDC at USF business consultant, Pablo Arroyo, who assisted him with business planning, market research, and overall business guidance. The comprehensive support he received laid the foundation for his success.

Market research conducted by the Florida SBDC at USF revealed a significant demand for an indoor driving range in downtown Tampa. “SBDC has been great from the beginning, from market research on where we were going to build the place, down to just how to talk about my business,” Garcia said.

With the help of his business consultant, Garcia was guided through a variety of recommendations that would benefit his business. “Like I said, starting with market research where we really grew. We got some help when it came to being found on Google. And then once we started getting members, down to things like how to do our taxes, how to manage the finances. One of the biggest suggestions we got early on was the QuickBooks set up,” he said.

The Florida SBDC at USF also helped Garcia with creating a detailed business plan that included market analysis, financial projections, and strategic planning. “The Florida SBDC at USF was really instrumental in us getting our start-up funds going. We had a little bit of money in advance but setting up an LLC [Limited Liability Company] and setting it up correctly really legitimized us to lenders,” Garcia said. This business plan was not just a roadmap but also a powerful tool to attract investors and secure funding. Armed with this plan, Garcia was able to present a compelling case to potential backers, ensuring he had the capital needed to launch his venture. “We spoke to a couple of lenders and a few off the top of my head that really helped us out was Upgrade for over $25,000, and then we had another 25 to $35,000 from American Express as well. We would not have been able to do it if we didn’t have such a thorough plan in advance and having set up that LLC from day one,” he added.

Since working with the Florida SBDC at USF, the indoor driving range has been a resounding success. “Our biggest success so far has just been selling out. The numbers, when we ran the business plan, were a little bit more conservative. We wanted to make sure we were honest, but within seven months we sold out,” Garcia said. Golf enthusiasts from all over Tampa have flocked to the facility, eager to experience the cutting-edge technology and exceptional service.

Garcia attributes much of his rapid success to the invaluable support and market research data provided by the Florida SBDC at USF. “Our goal was to have 30 members, we have 30 unlimited members but also, we have a punch pass membership that brings our total membership to around 70. We expected around 15 to 20 our first year and I think a lot of it came down to the market research on the location, that there’s a huge need for this here,” Garcia mentioned.

Moving forward, the passionate business owner states that he will continue using the Florida SBDC at USF as he plans to grow his business into new locations. “The SBDC at USF was very monumental in us getting loans and us getting approved and seen by banks. So, as we improve and as we grow, probably go back to the Florida SBDC at USF to secure more loans for our future locations. Moving forward we would definitely work with them again to make sure we can secure those loans,” Garcia said.

“I can only say good things about the Florida SBDC at USF,” Garcia said. “I would recommend that anybody talk to the Florida SBDC at USF before they even get started. Even if it’s just a second opinion, to take advantage, because at the end of the day their services are free,” he added.