Practice your golf swing at this old, metro-east service station. Take a look
Full disclosure: I do not play golf. In a previous life, sure, I played in a few scrambles and hit buckets of balls at the driving range, but I am not a golfer.
Having said that, I do want to tell you about a business that opened earlier this year and may appeal to golfers and non-golfers alike – great for dates, get-togethers with friends and small parties.
Let’s start with the setting for The Golf Station in Granite City, which opened in April and offers a high-end golf simulator, video gaming and a bar, while preserving and highlighting the building’s history.
Business owner Nick Pavia acquired the old service station and gave it a new life with the hopes that “it’ll be here another 100 years from now.”
He had his eye on the old station for a long time, admiring it from his other business next door, Pavia’s Place. Pavia was finally able to buy the early 1930s building in August 2024 and started working on the site right away.
The spring opening was later than Pavia planned or wanted. He hoped to open before golf season started, but renovations took longer than expected.
“This building was in pretty rough shape,” Pavia said. “Most people probably would’ve torn it down.”
Not Pavia and not his not-too-silent partner, Greg Griggs. The two of them took on most of the work themselves.
The golfing side of the building is original, Pavia said, and needed more work than anticipated.
The original brick wall along the back of the building had deteriorated to the point of collapse, a determination made during the tuck pointing process. A temporary support wall was erected to hold up the roof as the old wall was torn down (or falling down) and rebuilt.
“I’m pretty stubborn. I don’t like to start something and not finish,” Pavia said.
The opening between the golfing area and the bar was an actual window. The front garage doors are original, made of wood and are very heavy. The blocked windows behind the bar are also original to the old building.
“I wanted to keep as much of the originality as possible,” said Pavia.
The bar side of the building was a later addition, previously used to store tires and perform tire services. Pavia replaced the garage door on that side of the building.
The building was gutted, and new plumbing, electric, water lines and roof were installed.
The front entryway is also newer and features memorabilia highlighting the place’s history as a service station, as well as its connection to Route 66.
Small replicas of old-timey gas pumps, vintage oil cans and service station signs are displayed in the entryway, as are metal auto supply cabinets.
The restrooms, labeled with recreated versions of Mobil’s pegasus logo, are accessed through the entry and are worth a peek for the sassy golf-themed decorative signs that adorn the walls.
The pegasus can be seen on additional signage in the entry, on the building’s front exterior and on the old gas pump in front of the building.
Golf-themed signs and memorabilia are on display throughout the entire building. It’s fun to see all the decorative details, from the “Golf Cart Parking Only” sign and framed pin flags to the Happy Gilmore canvas art.
Route 66 signs are also displayed around the building. The Golf Station is on the Route 66 byway, and Pavia is working to bring more notoriety to the business in relation to the famous route, which celebrates its centennial next year.
“We did a lot of work here. It was more than I anticipated,” he said. “It feels great.”
Hit the virtual fairway
Aside from the building’s character and history, The Golf Station’s main attraction is, of course, the golf.
Golfers and duffers alike can schedule tee times for individual play or rounds with friends. Would-be golfers wanting to learn can also use the simulator for golf lessons. The simulator is available at hourly rates that depend on the number of players.
“The golf simulator is pretty sophisticated,” Pavia said.
The program captures data, including the ball’s distance, carry and speed. It records player data in real time, keeps their stats and tracks their progress. It can also analyze the club’s contact with the ball, which can be useful as a coaching tool.
Putting, however, is tricky, according to Pavia. It’s never, ever realistic with the simulator, and automatic gimmes are often given to save time.
In addition to single matches, memberships, tournaments and leagues are also available at The Golf Station.
Pavia compared the membership at his place to other, larger, golf simulator businesses, explaining that if you’re a paid league player at another facility and miss a day, you’re likely out that money.
“It’s hard to compete with bigger places,” said Pavia. “But we’re doing our first league here.”
The league will be run by a friend, Charlie Collins, who runs a league at Arlington Golf Course and offered to bring one to The Golf Station.
The league runs Oct. 16 through mid-March and costs $20 per round (nine holes). Members don’t have to play every week. Participants pay a $100 deposit to join and hold their spot, said Pavia. After five rounds are paid and played, that $100 is refunded.
At The Golf Station, players can pick their days and tee times with more flexibility.
“We just want people that are committed,” he said.
Food, drinks, ‘bougie hats’ & more
There’s more to The Golf Station than just hitting a little, white ball.
Food, entertainment and drinks also are part of the fun.
The majority of those coming to The Golf Station are already customers at the bar next door. Because Pavia doesn’t want to take business away from his bar, so beverage options are currently limited to canned beer, soda and bottled water.
Via a QR code at The Golf Station, food can be ordered and delivered from the bar, which has a kitchen that offers appetizers, pizza and sandwiches. Pavia buys meats from a deli down the road that is known for working with other small businesses.
The bar also features a flatscreen TV, a digital jukebox, a dartboard and a Golden Tee video game. The station also has six video gaming machines, which will help bring in additional income for the business.
The Golf Station also sells branded merchandise — mainly hats, T-shirts and can koozies — all of which can be viewed and purchased online or on-site.
A selection of women’s hats, which Pavia refers to as “bougie hats,” are designed by his girlfriend, Deanna Kinder. These fun hats include The Golf Station brand as well as sports teams, beer brands and other trendy themes.
With supplies, utilities and other expenses, the bills add up.
“It’s hard for a small business these days,” said Pavia, who kept his new business afloat over the summer by booking diaper parties, work gatherings, family parties, birthdays and other events.
While he prefers that folks order food from the bar, outside food is allowed for private events only. Event bookings also have different fees than those for reserved tee times and golf events.
About The Golf Station
The Golf Station is located at 2301 Madison Ave. in Granite City.
Hours are listed on the Facebook page as 3-9 p.m. Monday, noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, noon to 10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday, 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
To book a tee time or register for an event, visit thegolfstation.net. For more information, message The Golf Station via the Facebook page.
