Club + Resort Talks Chats With Patricio Misitrano, Co-Founder of The Sports Haus

On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas speaks with Patricio Misitrano, Co-Founder of The Sports Haus in Norwalk, Conn. The Sports Haus is an indoor club with padel, pickleball and golf sims-the first club to have these three sports under one roof IN THE WORLD!
Misitrano, who formerly directed three platinum clubs, talks about padel and how most clubs are not getting ready for what’s coming. It happened to a lot of clubs with pickleball and it will happen again with padel if GMs, Boards and Directors don’t act proactively.
He also peers into his crystal ball, looking 5-10 years in the future to forecast what’s on the horizon.
Rob and Club + Resort Business Senior Editor Phil Keren discussed projects happening at three different resorts, as well as a club paying tribute to a legendary golfer.
Here is an overview of the three projects Rob and Phil reviewed:
• Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisc., is marking its 30th anniversary with the opening of fully renovated banquet space and meeting rooms. Overall, the resort offers five large ballrooms, four boardrooms, the ballroom foyer, and public restrooms. The rooms are equipped with modern technology and contemporary designs, while all meeting and event spaces are now open and available for meetings and events.
• Canyon Ranch Austin, in Spicewood, Texas, will begin construction this summer on a 223,739-sq.-ft. resort. The new resort will have guest lodging, a spa, fitness and dining facilities, a medical clinic, and various administrative and support functions. The Spicewood location will be the fifth Canyon Ranch location to open in the U.S.
• Later this year, Horseshoe Bay (Texas) Resort will open a new 3,000 sq. ft. instructional facility called Cap Rock Golf Academy. It will have two indoor bays with Trackman and Toptracer technology, club-fitting services, a club repair room, and a demonstration area with shafts, grips and clubheads.
Phil and Rob concluded their conversation by spotlighting an article written by PMQ Pizza magazine Senior Editor Charlie Pogacar (PMQ is owned by the same company as CRB, WTWH Media). Charlie’s piece shared the story of how Mill Creek Golf Course, a semi-private club in Mebane, N.C., pays tribute to legendary golfer and two-time U.S. Open champion, Payne Stewart.
Stewart died in an airplane accident in October 1999, four months after sinking a par putt on the final hole to win his second U.S. Open title. Pogacar’s piece talks about an event that happened shortly after Stewart’s victory, which connects the late golfer with Mill Creek.
Rob and Phil shared their memories of Stewart, who was known for his unique attire, a brash personality and a fluid swing. Stewart’s bravado softened over time and culminated with him congratulating a young Phil Mickelson on becoming a new father just moments after Stewart sank his winning putt at the 1999 U.S. Open.