What happened to the $30.7 million Topgolf-style golf complex planned for Tennessee?
A $30.7 million golf entertainment complex approved more than two years ago by Tennessee officials has yet to break ground on a vacant property north of downtown, despite original plans to open by early 2026 . No building permits have been issued for Knoxville's ShotClub Social, a Topgolf-style venue planned along Interstate 275 off Fifth Avenue, Bryan Berry, the city's deputy director of zoning and development services, told Knox News. The project's developer, New York-based OnCore Golf , has not finalized an agreement for the 11-year property tax incentive the Knoxville City Council approved for the development in 2024. OnCore Golf had a similar facility planned for Buffalo, New York, which has since been relocated, scaled back and delayed. ShotClub Social promised site cleanup and hundreds of jobs ShotClub Social was designed to include golf bays, mini golf, duckpin bowling and an arcade, along with food and drinks. Rebekah Jane Justice, the city's chief of urban design and development, supported the project in 2024. The land cannot be used for housing, she said, so a commercial use is a win-win for the city. The project was expected to create 200-250 jobs, including entry-level positions, in the city's 6th District. Former
