MOTHERFUCKING POST THUMBNAIL BITCHES
Virtual golf business Dirty Birdie coming to Mall of Monroe
The Monroe News February 5, 2024
MONROE — A virtual, indoor golf business is coming soon to the Mall of Monroe, 2121 N. Monroe St.Dirty Birdie, which also will offer axe throwing and a full bar and restaurant, is expected to open in mid-April.“We’re so excited,” said Rhonda Howard, Mall of Monroe’s property manager.
Lifelong Monroe County residents Tim and Angie Clark and their son, Ben, will operate the business. Tim graduated from Mason High School, Erie. Angie is a Jefferson graduate, and Ben graduated from Monroe High School.
The 6,500-square-foot business in under construction in the former Finish Line and Vanity stores.
“This space is a great spot,” Tim said. “We’re so excited for this.”
Ben became interested in virtual golf after visiting a friend’s indoor golf simulator.
“He said, ‘Dad, let’s get virtual golf in the barn,'” Tim of Ida said. “We did some research and found the best one: Trackman. We immediately had the opportunity to bring it here.”
Tim said there are virtual golf businesses in the Ann Arbor and Toledo areas, but Dirty Birdie is the first of its kind in Monroe County.
Dirty Birdie will offer six bays for golf, five bays for axe throwing, 18 TVs, golf lessons and leagues, a full service bar and a restaurant.
The Mall of Monroe currently has only one other food establishment: Katalina’s Kitchen in the former Taco Bell site. It offers Mexican foods, such as tamales, tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas.
Tino Amaya from Monroe’s Amaya’s Fresh Mexican Grill is consulting on Dirty Birdie’s menu.He describes the menu as “modern American.”
“We’re bringing together a lot of flavors,” Amaya said. “Monroe is truly a melting pot.”
Among the offerings will be gourmet pizza, appetizers and seasonally inspired sandwiches.
Dirty Birdie isn’t the only business serving alcohol at the Mall of Monroe.
“Phoenix Theatres has a tavern license. They sell beer and wine,” said Timothy Matune, senior vice president of asset redevelopment for Cafaro, the company that manages the Mall of Monroe.
Dirty Birdie is for people of all ages.
“If you can pick up clubs, you can play digital golf,” Tim said.
Golf clubs can be rented on-site.
The Clarks don’t know yet how many people their business will employ. Tim plans to fill some vacancies through Aggressive Hiring of Frenchtown Township, his staffing agency.
Dirty Birdie’s hours are tentatively set for 9 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. seven days a week.
For more information, visit dirtybirdie-golf.com and Facebook.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
