Local golfers mourning the end of the season will have a new, unique outlet to turn to in just a few weeks. Pink’s Links Virtual Golf, a simulated golf center at 5914 Route 209 in Kerhonkson, opens its doors on November 28.

Pink’s Links provides several rooms with floor-to-ceiling screens simulating golf courses. Kids, amateurs, and experienced golfers alike can rent clubs on site or bring their own and pick between more than 100 virtual courses to practice and play against each other.

The simulators provide feedback on club speed, ball height and direction with each hit. For the more ambitious, lessons are available with local golf pro Andrew Deforest — and between games, golfers can snack on sliders, pretzels and other bites, and chat at the bar by the entrance.

“It is real,” said owner Tom Pinkerous, of virtual golf. Pinkerous, a Napanoch native, learned the game about three years ago after buying a property on a golf course in Florida with his wife Jacqueline, and joined the Stone Dock and Shawangunk golf league upon his return to the Hudson Valley. “I just became infatuated with it,” he said.

Pinkerous has lived in the Shawangunk region his entire life and became known locally for his community and business ventures. He previously owned the White Wolf restaurant in Napanoch and Top Quality Sealcoat Inc in Accord. In 2019, he opened the 209 Storage Vault in Ellenville.

For more than 20 years, he rented his building at 5914 Route 209 to Tip to Toe Salon. Once the salon closed, he decided to install golf simulators to develop his hobby.

Pinkerous and his friends gutted the building, built an addition and installed a kitchen and a bar with rustic paneling and decorations, including images from classic golf films like Caddyshack and Happy Gilmore. Originally intended as a “man cave” for himself and his buddies, he received so many inquiries that he decided to open it up to the public.

As a veteran business owner, he has slid into the new enterprise effortlessly.

“Starting a business — that doesn’t bother me,” he said. “It’s easy.”

Pinkerous says he gets calls every day about the golf center and has already received about 20 requests for Pink’s Links gift cards. In the new year, he plans to set up leagues. Additionally, he made sure to give kudos to his Storage Vault Manager Cheryl O’Dell-Long for her help on the project.

“It’s going to be busy!” he said.

Pink’s Links will be open Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and is located at 5914 Route 209 in Kerhonkson. Appointments for golf sessions and rentals can be booked at pinkslinksgolf.com, or by calling 845-253-0188.