Courtesy The Bunker
By Jennifer Farnsworth
An early October opening of The Bunker, a golf simulator business, will bring new life to space that was once Bellini’s restaurant in Clifton Park.
The Bunker co-owner Troy Miller said after Clifton Park, they will be focusing on a third location in Saratoga Springs.
He said the Clifton Park location is something they have been highly anticipating, given it’s prime location.
“Renovations are complete and we are ready to be in this new space. I sparked up a conversation with Bellini’s about keeping the staff and from there we were able to work something out,” said Miller.
The Bunker is a Guilderland-based business that brings golf simulator technology in an indoor, country club-like setting to golf enthusiasts. Miller is the owner and broker at CM Fox Real Estate and also owns Troy Miller Construction. He said he loves to golf when not working and a conversation in the car with his business partner led to the concept of the now growing business.
“We were literally just driving down the road one day and started talking about it, and it just grew from there,” said Miller.
The Guilderland location opened at the end of 2019 before being temporarily shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. He said since reopening, business has been even better than he expected. They are planning to partner up with Jacob and Anthony’s, located on High Rock Avenue in Saratoga, to develop a new space, with an anticipated opening in the early summer of 2022. He is also looking at a location in North Greenbush.
“We think the new locations will do just as well, at least we hope so,” said Miller.
The Clifton Park and Saratoga locations will have similar design features but will have larger kitchens with more food options. They will also have summer offerings that are not available in Guilderland.
The Bunker aims to give its patrons a somewhat luxurious feel. Members and guests can enjoy 18-foot widescreen hitting bays easily seen from the bar. The decor consists of butterscotch-plaid carpet, mahogany wood tones and large flat screen TVs, complete with surround sound.
People can book playing time online or call the facility. Up to eight people can play at one time in the golfing bay.
For more information visit getinthebunker.golf or call (518) 280-6347.