Focus: Indoor golf simulation facility
James Day
Age: 24
Company: Urban Golf
Day left school at 18 to join the golf pro-circuit and coach at his local club. Frustrated at being unable to practise at night and in bad weather, Day developed the idea of taking golf indoors. Sourcing simulation machines from the US and funding from several of the bankers he coached, Urban Golf opened in Soho in September 2004 offering virtual play for £40 an hour. Day is preparing to open a second centre before Christmas and also has funding in place for five more over the next 12 months. He projects first year turnover of £1m will grow to £6m in 2006.
2017 update:
Day remains as the managing director of Urban Golf, which now operates two stores in London, Smithfield and Soho. The company did open a Kensington but it has since closed.
