Jennie Gibson sits at her office at the Madison Golf Center. Gibson is one of two owners of the facility, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in August. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – Sitting in the midst of change related to the upcoming Town Madison Shopping Center, on the southern border of Interstate-565, the Madison Golf Center is already busy celebrating 25 years in business, a mainstay in southern Madison.

Sitting in her office at the Center, president and owner Jennie Gibson reflects on the evolution of the property – she can remember digging the first trenches on the wide expanse of green in early 1990 with a shovel.

“All of our employees are really fantastic,” Gibson said. “Customer relationships are very important to us.”

Gibson and her brother, Jimmy Taylor – both of Madison – own the land on which the Golf Center exists. Their father was one of the founders of Intergraph, and he decided to put a golf center on the eastern side of the company.

“He loved golf, and at that point he thought it would attract business professionals from around the area,” Gibson said of her father.

The Center was built in a relatively short time, and became operational in August 1990. Gibson was trained in the craft and became one of the owners in 1998.

Today, the Madison Golf Center features 200 grass tees for the driving range, 20 covered tees, a bunker and chipping practice area, putting green, snack bar and grill and an indoor golf course simulator that was added in 2014.

The indoor simulator also functions as the PGA Training Building, where certified golf pros such as Jimmy Taylor teach private lessons.

“The staff here, we try to keep the grounds looking nice for everyone,” Gibson said. “It’s all about making them happy.”

The facility currently has around 2,800 active range cards carried by customers who frequent the Center.

In addition to the current offerings, the Madison Golf Center also has 10 acres for future development on the north side of the complex.