Matthew Monette probably wishes his days were like PopStroke’s motto; Eat. Putt. Drink. Repeat., but the 31-year-old general manager starts his days at PopStroke’s Broadway at the Beach location at 8 a.m. He often doesn’t make it to his North Myrtle Beach home until 7 or 8 p.m., leaving little room for the kind of fun his guests enjoy at the recently opened high-end mini golf, casual dining and sports bar attraction.

PopStroke opened on March 4, 2024, and we wondered what does it take to manage a new entertainment/dining concept in Myrtle Beach? Monette, who’s worked in the restaurant business his entire adult life, seems well-suited for the role. He is happy to describe the all-new attraction and just what his days are like and what he strives to deliver to his guests and the team he manages.

8:14 a.m.

We meet in one of three open-air bar-lounges at PopStroke where staff finishes preparations for a 9:00 a.m. opening.  A U.S. Foods truck is still in the parking lot unloading goods for what Monette expects will be a busy day. PopStroke was founded in 2018, a creation of retired Wall Street executive Greg Bartoli, PopStroke’s CEO. PopStroke later brought on Tiger Woods and TaylorMade Golf as partners in 2020 and 2023. A recent valuation estimates the new company’s worth at around $650 million, with some 13 locations, mostly in Florida. With Myrtle Beach one of its newest sites, PopStroke seems well situated to meet a growing demand. A demand for what, you may ask?

“We offer casual and competitive putting, full bar service, a sports bar atmosphere and a full restaurant menu,” explains Monette. “That’s not something you get at an average mini-golf venue.” Add in a multi-generational appeal where families can gather to, well…eat, drink, putt and repeat, and the fast-growing company may just be on to something.

“Many of our guests don’t golf at all,” Monette adds. “Parents can send their kids out to play golf and they can enjoy drinks and food at the bar or at one of the tables, or the parents can golf while the kids entertain themselves with our other games.” 

The surprisingly large restaurant seats around 300, and there’s room for plenty of golfers outside, though the golfing is carefully managed to keep play moving along. A PopStroke app and QR codes located throughout the greens allow golfers to order drinks delivered to them at whatever hole they happen to be playing, and those who choose to keep score on the app will see their names on the Jumbotron leader board.

“We’re open pretty late,” continues Monette, “so we do tend to get the partying bar crowd later in the evening when most of the families are gone.”

PopStroke’s play isn’t just on the putting greens (partnered with Tiger Woods), it extends to free ping-pong, corn hole and a gated playground for the youngest in the group.

Will the legendary Woods make an appearance?

“It’s certainly possible,” says Monette, “but we don’t have any visits scheduled at the moment.” 

This isn’t Woods’ first commercial venture in Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand, the self-described “Golf Capitol of the World.” Longtime residents of Myrtle Beach may remember Woods’ endorsement and partnership in the All-Star Café (the building is now home to Legends in Concert), when he and a dozen other A-list athletes and movie stars gathered for a dual grand opening of Planet Hollywood and the All-Star Café in 1997, occurring just weeks after Woods won his first PGA major, The Masters, at Augusta at just 21-years-old.

8:32 a.m.

More of the PopStroke staff are visible now, the kitchen is in full swing, and some of the younger school-aged staff and shift supervisors are wiping down the ice cream counters and check-in desk, preparing for the golfers. The bartender/servers (they’re one and same here) come in at 10 a.m. each day.

It’s a beautiful, warm sunny day, and the crowds are enjoying the Grand Strand summer and the ever-expanding offerings of Broadway at the Beach, now celebrating its 29th year. PopStroke is located in Broadway’s new Key West section adjacent to The Hangout.

Monette, originally from Methuen, Mass, just north of Boston, has been in the Myrtle Beach area for 16 years and working in the restaurant business in one capacity or another almost since he set foot on South Carolina soil. Though he says he misses much about his New England hometown, he doesn’t miss the weather, even though the Grand Strand’s climate can be challenging.

“Obviously when it rains, we’re less busy,” he says, “but we still get folks in to watch a big game on our TVs and eat and enjoy some beverages.” PopStroke offers rainchecks, allowing those who’ve paid for golf only to get rained out, to come back another day, or later that day if they choose. 

“In Myrtle Beach it often doesn’t rain for long,” he adds, “so guests will come in out of the rain and sit at the bar, have a drink, grab a bite to eat, and get back out there when the rain is done.”

When the sun is shining, the course, outfitted with misters and high intensity fans, keeps outdoor play comfortable, even on the hottest days.

What about fall and winter?

“Myrtle Beach can get cold,” concedes Monette, “but not so cold you can’t throw on a jacket and still play golf.” The restaurant’s open-air concept can be sealed up with windowed garage doors and heaters for the colder seasons.

9:41 a.m.

A few golfers have arrived and are checking in at the counter. The two youngest in the group ordered ice cream. The family is outfitted with clubs and each given a TaylorMade Golf PopStroke golf ball, which they may keep as a souvenir. The kids play cornhole while they finish their ice cream, as no food is allowed on the courses, though drinks are.

“Our Blue Course is more challenging, and the Black Course is more family friendly,” explains Monette. “It’s a great atmosphere, very family friendly, but also great for the adult bar crowd, special events, and corporate events, too.” Some of the golfers take this very seriously and learn to improve their game with repeated play according to Monette. PopStroke Leagues are organized for the most serious golfers; this is not your mama’s minigolf. 

The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce launched its Miniature Golf Trail in May, which includes PopStroke among some 30 additional mini golf courses. Karen Riordan, president and CEO of Visit Myrtle Beach (the marketing arm of the Chamber), commented on the launch.

“This trail not only highlights the unique charm and imaginative design of our miniature golf courses,” she said in a press release “but also reinforces our status as the “Miniature Golf Capitol of the World.” The Grand Strand boasts some 50 mini golf courses, and the new Chamber-conceived Trail is best experienced with a digital pass allowing for check-in at each of the 30 or so participating mini golf courses. The digital pass will unlock discounts and rewards. (visitmyrtlebeach.com/minigolf)

10:11 a.m.

Before the lunchtime crowd fills the restaurant, Monette works on staff scheduling, checks in with his managers, and when PopStroke is running on all cylinders, he becomes a floater, overseeing and helping wherever needed. U.S. Foods delivers four times per week along with regular liquor and beer deliveries. 

“I love managing,” Monette says. “Years ago, I started as a busser, then host, eventually moved up to bartender, but here at the Beach it can be so seasonal. Management offers me stability, but it’s not for everyone. You have to be willing to take care of all the moving parts. That includes respecting your team. I have an AGM (assistant general manager) and two managers under them.”

“Managing the attraction part of PopStoke is new to me,” admits Monette, “I’m used to restaurant and bar service, but learning the PopStroke way is very different, and I am loving the new challenges.”

Hi-tech service mixes with the traditional.

“We have a very sophisticated I.T. set up and a team that runs it remotely,” says Monette. “Each table has its own unique QR Code. I’ve noticed younger people are happy to order that way, but a lot of our older clientele prefer traditional service, and we offer that as well.”

3:30 p.m.

The hours between 10:30 a.m. and around 3:30 p.m. are a blur, with a packed restaurant and busy putting greens.

“Luckily the golfing ebbs and flows all day, usually nice and steady,” he says, “and it hits the kitchen that way too, which is great for everybody. We try to be a well-oiled machine. The way our guests come and go is very different from a traditional restaurant.

6:55 p.m.

The closing managers will take over and finish the day. Monette has completed the shift schedules, discussed any outstanding needs from the management team, and he’ll make his way home.  

“I’m very comfortable with my team and their abilities,” he continues. “Working for PopStroke is really fun. It doesn’t feel like work.”

PopStroke currently offers a $30 day pass allowing patrons to golf as much as they like from open to close. Discounted rates are available for locals with I.D., kids, seniors 65+ and military.

Open Sunday–Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 9:00 a.m.–Midnight, with the kitchen closing one hour earlier, and bars making last call 30-minutes before closing time.

Visit www.popstroke.com or call 843-932-9520 for more information.