BRANSON, Mo. – A group of local business leaders in Branson is bringing an impressive 9,000-square-foot social playground to southwest Missouri called The Social Birdy.
Pickleball, golf simulators, a professional-style putting course and a bar and restaurant will highlight the venue. Located on Branson Hills Parkway just west of Target, it will be designed as a leisure and recreation area for guests to “hang out and swing easy.”
According to Trey Pelz, founder and managing member of MMTC Development Group, there is no other concept like The Social Birdy in the entire Ozarks region.
“We want to create a setting where people of all ages can have fun, but also where active adults can leave the kids behind and engage in lively games while pursuing their own hobbies and interests,” Pelz said in a press release. “We want The Social Birdy to become people’s default for date night.
“Capitalizing on Branson’s reputation as a premiere golfing destination, The Social Birdy will include a 2,000-square-foot full-service golf shop that will carry name brands like TaylorMade, Titleist, Cobra, Nike, Puma and many more. Additionally, it will house an area where professionals can assist golfers with custom club fitting, golf lessons and much more.”
“Golf has become more popular than ever during the pandemic with many people picking up the sport for the first time. We are here to help first-time and experienced golfers improve their game with personalized attention.”
Visitors will be able to practice their short-game on an 18-hole putting green or experience up to 80 different courses on five golf simulators set to be installed.
The simulators will offer not only golf but dodgeball, baseball and soccer. Additionally, the complex will sport four outdoor courts for pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
“Pickleball is such a great social sport that brings together people no matter what their skill or background,” Pelz said. “It’s just a low-key way to get some exercise and have fun with friends.”
The plan is for The Social Birdy to host multiple pickleball leagues and tournaments in its immediate future. Pool, ping-pong, bocci ball, corn hole, darts and shuffleboard are some of the extra activities that will be offered at The Social Birdy.
The Downing Street Pour House of Hollister will operate The Social Birdy’s restaurant which will seat 200 people and feature a patio with fire pits, outdoor games and more. The restaurant portion will offer craft beer, bourbon and wood-fired American comfort foods.
“It’s a testament to the Branson market when we have another successful developer building such a remarkable new business,” said Jonas Arjes, Executive Vice President and Chief Economic Development Officer of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau and Taney County Partnership.
Construction on the three-acre facility should be complete sometime in 2022.
