URBANDALE, Iowa — A new, one of its kind golf facility is now open to the public, offering a place to play golf year-round.

Elevation Golf Club opened on October 13 as an indoor golf facility offering eight Trackman simulators and 6,000 square feet of greens and chipping space with a real sand trap. It also has a rental event space, fitness center, lounge, and lessons from pros coming soon.

Husband and wife Matthew and Kassidy Small are natives of the Des Moines area. Kassidy graduated from Drake University, while Matthew graduated from Grand View University. Their love for golf turned into a business idea when they realized that nowhere in the Midwest that they knew of had a large indoor practice facility that allowed for chipping practice and a sand bunker.

The idea to start the business wasn’t started until a tragic family event.

“Last year we lost my brother and a really good friend unexpectedly and in a car accident and it really made us realize that we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow,” Kassidy said. “So we wanted to create a space where people could come and find joy today.”

The idea started shortly after that, and construction on the facility began in July. Just four months later, the club is open to the public.

“This is 6,000 square feet,” Kassidy said. “So it, really you can practice your short game. There are a lot of simulator companies, businesses in Iowa, but you can’t practice chipping, you can’t practice putting, you can’t practice your sand shots. So I think it’ll be it’ll be great for those that really want to get better year-round, to spend time in our club.”

The finishing touch to the club was a large mural painted on one of the walls. Kassidy painted the mural in memory of her brother and close friend. She signed it, “In loving memory of Kolby and Sara, your light shines on.”

The club offers a variety of memberships and day passes. More information on those and the event space rental can be found here.