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V O L . X X X I N O. V I I A P R I L 7 , 2 0 2 5 26 R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / E N G I N E E R I N G F O C U S big golf network. And it gives people in the central Maine community an option that a lot of other communities don't have." Since opening, Swish has seen all levels, from experienced league players to those looking for a night out with their spouse or family to people who have never touched a golf club in their life and want to give it a try. "is is the least stressful and safe way to do that without investing a lot of time and energy into equipment and greens fees and things like that," he says. Golf has evolved from a country-club sport to one that's much more main- stream, he says. "e explosion of golf and changing demographics have made it more com- fortable," he says. "We have women, high school kids, college students, young families. I'd say the demographic is really vast." ere are more opportunities for youth to come up in the sport, he con- tinues. Once upon a time, youth were bound by whatever sports were avail- able through youth programs in their community. "ere's not a golf course in every community, so you'd have to branch out on your own; it was all word-of-mouth," he says. "Now there's so much access for young people. I think most of the golf- ing facilities in Maine, whether indoor or outdoor, understand that getting involved with youth will be important for future business." Spin analysis In the past two years, Sim City Golf added locations in Bangor and Old Orchard Beach. Brian Bickford — a long-time golf professional in Maine, executive direc- tor of the Maine Golf Association and a 2016 Maine Golf Hall of Fame inductee — began the venture about a decade ago, when he was the head golf professional at Val Halla Golf Club in Cumberland and installed three simula- tors as a business within the club. Occupancy was nearly 100%. With partners, Bickford moved the business to 100 Larrabee Road in Westbrook, where he operates eight simulators. (Also at 100 Larrabee Road, Club Champion, an Illinois-based chain making customized golf clubs, opened a store as its first Maine location in 2024.) 150 Mill Street, Ste 3 Lewiston, ME 04240 15 Baxter Boulevard Portland, ME 04101 HEBERTCONSTRUCTION.COM COMMITTED TO OUR VALUES OF QUALITY, SAFETY, & COMMUNITY! PROUDLY VOTED Learn to make a difference. Developing leaders who lead with heart! " My experience at SJC was transformative. The solid educational foundation combined with a culture of collaboration and camaraderie gave me the tools and confidence I needed to become an effective leader. SJC didn't just prepare me academically, it empowered me to lead with purpose, and for that, I'm incredibly grateful." Get started today at sjcme.edu/difference Kendra Coates '91 SVP/Chief Financial Officer MMG Insurance Proud Alum, Saint Joseph's College of Maine » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F S W I S H We have women, high school kids, college students, young families. I'd say the demographic is really vast. — Nicolas Pelotte Swish Swish opened in leased space at the Hathaway Creative Center in Waterville.

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