Golf Ranch Richardson is moving forward with renovations and additions, including 28 new covered hitting bays and an additional parking lot.
Richardson’s City Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval on Oct. 8 to amend the golf driving range’s special permit and allow for the renovations.
The overview
The driving range has been active since 2008, and Golf Ranch took over operations in 2023. The property is owned by The University of Texas at Dallas and students make up a large portion of the range’s staff and frequent customers, said Josh Burr, head of operations for Golf Ranch.
“The area has welcomed us with open arms as we launched our second Golf Ranch site here in Richardson,” Burr said. “This feels really good to be here trying to solve problems because the business is doing well.”
Golf Ranch currently has 71 hitting bays, including six bays in the golf barn and 45 bays that are covered by an aluminum canopy, senior planner Derica Peters said. The covered bays contain amenities like advanced ball-tracking technology, seating, TV monitors, outdoor fans and heaters.
Golf Ranch requested the special permit amendments to accommodate several modifications, including removing all existing uncovered bays and constructing a new covered hitting structure. This structure will hold 28 hitting bays, which will all be equipped with the advanced hitting technology system, bringing the total hitting bays on the property to 79.
Burr said the additional covered bays will allow for greater use at Golf Ranch during and after rain and other inclement weather.
Other planned modifications include a new parking lot, street modifications and new buildings for administration, food and beverage, Peters said.
A closer look
Golf Ranch plans to expand the shipping container used for food and beverage services by 500 square feet and will also install a new 1,500-square-foot food and beverage building near the new covered bays. This building will also include a 5,000-square-foot outdoor patio.
The golf facility also plans to add a 100-square-foot administrative building near the existing covered bays that will include a check-in counter.
Golf Ranch has an “immediate need” for new parking facilities due to increased customer demand, city documents state. The facility currently has one paved parking lot with 114 spaces and a temporary gravel parking lot used for overflow.
The driving range plans to construct a new paved lot with 109 spaces, which will accommodate current and anticipated parking demand. After the construction of the new lot, Golf Ranch plans to restore the gravel parking lot to a landscaped area, adding soil, groundcover, shrubs, flowering perennials and trees.
Golf Ranch will also modify the median on Renner Road to improve access to the facility, creating a median opening and left-turn lane leading into the existing parking lot.
“It’s a great amenity for our city and especially UTD,” Chairman Bryan Marsh said. “What Golf Ranch has done is really upgrade the experience and the facilities, and obviously that’s shown with the demand and popularity. I think these improvements are only going to make it better.”
What’s next
Following the commission’s unanimous recommendation of approval, the special permit amendments will be considered by City Council.
