The Golf Kings Story

Is Golf Kings a franchise? This is a question we are asked very frequently, and we always enjoy telling the Golf Kings story. The simple answer is, “No.” The idea of starting an “indoor golf facility” was started by longtime friends, now cofounders, Chris Mancilla and Tom Muller. After Chris purchased a basic golf simulator and a few hours of hitting balls into a bed sheet off of a rug in Chris’s apartment, we quickly realized golfers of all skill levels in the Monmouth and Ocean County areas were lacking a professional indoor golf simulation experience.

Once the idea started in March of 2019, there was not much else we could think about.  We debated about dozens of different names (…Golf 365, Golf Lounge, Planet Golf, Golf Plus…) and when GOLF KINGS finally hit us, we knew we had something going.  Chris started researching the best simulators, Tom started crunching numbers, we looked at numerous vacant store fronts. We designed logos, the website, social media. We developed a business plan, started pitching investors, pulled together funds. With having no experience starting a business, we were learning everything for the first time along the way. Considering that there are no other indoor golf facilities in the area to gather insight, just added even more complexity to the goal.

Despite the hurdles any new business must overcome, we quickly found ourselves signing a lease, designing architectural plans, getting building permits, and starting construction. Word about Golf Kings started to spread quickly, and even local radio stations and newspapers were talking about us. 

It was around this time when our third partner, Vince Giunco, heard about Golf Kings, and there was an instant connection between the three of us. Shortly later, Vince joined the partnership, bringing unparalleled experience as a local PGA golf professional.

For the next four months, Chris, Tom and Vince spent every day and night constructing the Golf Kings facility, developing the booking software, picking materials, testing the simulators, and doing everything to get the doors open to the public.  Everything you see at Golf Kings, from the flooring, to the paint on the walls, to the custom furniture, was designed and built by us.  Many hours, blood, sweat, and tears went into building the facility you see today. 

Finally, in February of 2020, we were ecstatic to open our doors to the public. After a successful series of soft openings, and less than a year after the idea was formed, Golf Kings was opened to the public. Our opening weeks were a huge success. We had hundreds of customers and members.  The simulator bays, we worked so hard to build, were booked day and night. 

Then four short weeks after opening, in March of 2020, we were forced to shut down, as was the entire world, to slow the spread of the COVID-19. Our doors remained closed until the beginning of July 2020. We dusted off the simulators and reopened the facility to the public. We are very excited to have our customers back and we look forward to what the future has in store for Golf Kings.