FORT WAYNE – PGA golf pro Alan Moyer wants to help Asian amateurs improve their game.
The Fort Wayne entrepreneur and vice president of Holiday Golf International Inc. will debut the True Flight outdoor simulator today at Bobick’s Golf, 5200 Bluffton Road.
The radar-sensor gadget tracks the flight of the ball and a kiosk with an attached sun-resistant flat-panel monitor provides a computerized analysis of a player’s swing, golf club and related tips. Moyer said he is targeting the Japanese market because of the country’s lack of golf courses.
“It’s a place where 10 percent of the population plays,” said Moyer, whose company invested more than $100,000 in the simulator.
“There are 12 million golfers over there, but only 1,200 golf courses.”
Moyer and his investors describe True Flight as entertainment for professionals and amateurs and hope to place it in sports bars, casinos and similar venues. The cost is $50 for an hour of play.
Today, however, area golfers are invited to try it out for $5 as part of a charity event at Bobick’s from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Organizers have not decided which charity will benefit.
For the business venture, Moyer said revenue will come from splitting the take with businesses that choose to feature his simulator.
“If it takes off the way we think it will, we could be talking about millions of dollars,” he said. “Either that, or we’ll lose our shirts.”
Tom Hipskind, general manger of Bobick’s Golf on East Coliseum Boulevard, is optimistic the simulator will attract interest. “From what I have seen, it’s pretty cool,” he said.
“If the technology goes the way he wants it to go, I can see people wanting to play it, especially in the winter.”
Another feature of True Flight is it accesses the Internet and allows players to compete against one another from anywhere in the world or hit the fairways at 22 famous courses. Some participants may compete for prize money, Moyer said.
“It’s a very unique skills game,” he said.
Besides Japan, Moyer wants to build a customer base in China, Korea and eventually the United States.
In an economy where politicians and others are seeking new employment sources, Moyer said his venture demonstrates the ability to create jobs outside of manufacturing and other fields the Midwest is known for.
“That’s something that we’re proud about,” he said, adding the business could result in 50 positions within the next 18 months.
