The city of Burlingame has approved plans to build a Topgolf facility on government-leased lands.
Topgolf is a modern take on golf. The setup is the same as a large driving range, but golfers focus on hitting large lit-up targets.
The approval of the project has come after years of planning and mitigation. In 2016, the city published a request for proposals to solicit bids from businesses to take over the Burlingame Golf Center at 250 Anza Boulevard.
“It (the request for proposals) was for someone to operate either the golf center or to come in with a different idea about some other commercial recreation type use,” said project planner Catherine Keylon.
By 2017, three proposals were submitted to the city: an ice rink, a badminton center, and Topgolf. After the ice rink withdrew its submission, the city was left to deliberate between the badminton center and Topgolf.
Like most other city projects, Burlingame city council reviewed many factors. These included traffic issues but also environmental impact reports. For example, they had to determine how birds would be protected from the Topgolf building.
“We did have a lot of involvement from different environmental groups during the process to make sure that they have a list or some type of operator that has a hydraulic lift that they can get up there to get birds untangled, and there are certain criteria to follow because we are near the bay,” Keylon said.
The most notable of these factors was finances.
“When they do these proposals, the city asks to look at their financials and their background to see who would be successful in the long run,” Keylon said.
Even years before its expected opening, the future Topgolf site is sparking the attention of local teens.
“If I managed to get my friends to go together, I would be down to go to a Topgolf facility,” said Carlmont senior Winston Singh.
Although there is already a Topgolf facility in San Jose, the convenience of one on the peninsula would bring a new client base. If I managed to get my friends to go together I would be down to go to a Topgolf facility. — Winston Singh
Many other teens share this same enthusiasm.
“If there were a Topgolf closer to where I live, I would definitely be more likely to go to it instead of the San Jose location,” said Carlmont junior Adam Saperstein.
Although there is an initial buzz, it will be years before the facility is functional. Currently, the city expects the project to finish in 2024. The building is planned to be 71,024 square feet and will include 102 hitting bays, a restaurant, an event space, and outdoor dining.
“I think it’s utilizing the land very well because it is a great place for people to go relax and have fun,” Saperstein said.
