5 minute read
When a new business opens in Edwardsville, I want it to succeed. I also want to support it, especially when it promises something different. That’s why a friend and I decided to check out Park North Golf Club shortly after it opened.
We are not serious golfers, but Park North positions itself as a modern, social golf experience with a restaurant and bar attached. The branding suggests something closer to a Topgolf-style environment than a traditional golf club. That made it feel approachable for people like us who are more interested in food, drinks, and a casual experience than perfecting a swing.
Unfortunately, the visit itself didn’t live up to that promise.
First Impressions Matter, Especially for Newcomers
We arrived around 6:45 p.m. on what was clearly a slow evening. Before heading into the restaurant, we stopped at the golf counter to ask basic questions about pricing and availability. Two employees behind the counter were mid-conversation when we approached and visibly annoyed by our presence.
There was no greeting or attempt to help us understand how things worked. When we asked about pricing and whether there were openings, one of them slid a piece of paper across the counter and said, “Make sure you’re signed up before 8 p.m.”
That was it. No explanation. No follow-up. No attempt to engage.
For a business trying to attract first-timers and non-golfers, this was a strange way to start. On a slow night, basic hospitality should be the easiest thing to deliver.
Scotty’s Sports Bar and Grill: Some Bright Spots, Some Misses
We moved into the on-site restaurant, Scotty’s Sports Bar and Grill, which was nearly empty. There were only two other diners at the time. We’re bar people, so we sat at the bar instead of taking a table.
The bartender was friendly and did a solid job, which deserves to be said. We ordered one of the appetizers, the Buffalo Chicken Dip with Pretzel Crostini. Barry liked it, and I’ll give credit where it’s due for offering an appetizer you don’t see everywhere.
That said, the pretzel crostini were so overbaked that I practically broke a tooth on one. It felt like an execution issue rather than a bad idea. I’ll give them an A for effort, but the dish needs some refinement.
Unfortunately, the service issues didn’t stop there.
While heading to the bathroom, I crossed paths with one of the waitresses. Instead of a neutral or helpful comment, she said, “Are you a new chef? Because if you aren’t, this isn’t the bathroom.”
I asked her to repeat herself because I genuinely thought I misheard. I hadn’t. There was no clarification or apology, just an awkward exchange that shouldn’t happen to a customer in any restaurant, especially one that was barely busy.
A Disconnect Between Brand and Hospitality
None of these moments were catastrophic on their own. Together, they created an atmosphere that felt unwelcoming and oddly dismissive.
Park North Golf Club is not marketing itself as an exclusive, members-only space. It’s positioned as social, casual, and accessible. That makes staff attitude and communication critical. When guests feel like an interruption instead of a welcome presence, the experience falls apart quickly.
This is especially noticeable in a town like Edwardsville, where there is no shortage of solid restaurants and bars that understand hospitality. Places like Cleveland Heath continue to set the bar locally by making people feel welcome the moment they walk in, regardless of how busy the night is.
Room to Improve, If It’s Taken Seriously
This doesn’t feel like an unfixable problem. It feels like a training and culture issue. New businesses have growing pains, and that’s normal. What matters is whether leadership recognizes them and addresses them quickly.
Park North Golf Club has the space, concept, and location to be a real asset to the community. Scotty’s Sports Bar and Grill has menu ideas worth exploring. But hospitality cannot be optional, especially when the goal is to attract curious locals and first-time visitors.
Clear communication, basic friendliness, and respect for guests cost nothing.
Final Thoughts
I wanted to like Park North Golf Club. I still want it to succeed. But based on this first visit, the experience fell short in ways that had nothing to do with golf skill or expectations. It came down to how we were treated.
I’m open to giving it another shot down the line. Early impressions don’t have to be permanent. For now, though, this was a disappointing introduction to a place that promises a lot more than it delivered that evening.
If Park North wants to become a true social destination in Edwardsville, tightening up front-of-house hospitality would be a very good place to start.
