What is referred to as “the batting cages” has quietly become one of the busiest golfing destinations in town. Tucked into the back corner of the Delavan Park District Sports Complex sits a professional‑grade golf simulator running GSPRO, a system that has transformed the space into a year‑round training ground for golfers of all ages.
The idea took root with Delavan High School Golf Coach Zach Damm, who encouraged the Park District to invest in the simulator as a way to strengthen the high school program and give local golfers a place to play when Illinois weather refuses to cooperate. The team now uses the simulator extensively during the off‑season, sharpening swings and studying course strategy long before the first tee times of spring.

One Panther golfer in particular has made the simulator his second home. Grady Burrell, an up‑and‑coming standout in the program, is known for logging serious hours on the virtual fairways. Teammates and coaches alike credit the simulator for accelerating his development and giving the team a competitive edge.

But the simulator’s impact extends far beyond the high school program.

Local golf enthusiast Dennis Moehring has helped turn the space into a community hub, organizing regular groups of adult golfers eager to take advantage of the technology. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, whenever the weather isn’t conducive to golfing outdoors, two groups of six players rotate through 18‑hole rounds on one of the simulator’s 600‑plus available courses in relative comfort. When the demand increases another group of six often fills the space on Sundays, keeping the virtual tee sheet packed.

While nothing replaces the feel of real grass underfoot, Moehring says the simulator comes surprisingly close. “Is it the same as playing outdoors? No,” he noted, “but it is pretty darn close.”

The Park District offers simulator time for $15 per hour, making it one of the most affordable indoor golf options in the region. Residents can reserve time by contacting the Park District.

With demand growing and winter usage booming, the once‑quiet corner of the Sports Complex has become one of Delavan’s most popular recreational assets—proof that even in the off‑season, golf is alive and well in Panther Country.