Sean Dandy, Managing Partner at Manitoba’s myITsource is no stranger to complicated custom installs. Dandy and his company have completed numerous significant projects throughout the region, including multiple arena A/V and control systems, video walls, emergency broadcast infrastructure and car dealership control and paging systems.
Such expansive experience with detailed projects made myITsource, the obvious partner when a new business approached Dandy to create a Top Golf-esque experience in the outskirts of Brandon Manitoba, that today is called Shanks Driving Range and Grill.
“The owner of the business had a detailed vision to create the very best golf range experience, accompanied with an unparalleled audio / visual system that would include music, broadcast sports and utilize Top Golf’s Top Tracer golf ball tracking software.” And of course, would also include a high-service bar and grill.
Dandy’s team worked closely with Gemsen Distribution and Evolution Home Corp. for an extensive installation inventory that included, 48 x BLUESTREAM Video over IP transmitters / receivers, 40 Furrion Outdoor TVs (43″) all attached to Kanto Outdoor Mounts, an RTI A/V Matrix Control System for full video / audio zone control via an iPad.
Eight Interior Samsung TVs ranging from 85″ to 100″ and three Blaze Audio Powerzone Connect Amps, brands represented by Sherpa AV were also added and for sound Dandy used twenty Episode Outdoor 8″ Speakers, fifteen Episode Indoor 6″ Speakers and Episode Indoor 8″ Woofers.
“A few years ago, Top Golf franchises decided to sell their technology known as “Top Tracer” to other businesses that would not be official Top Golf locations, but still could provide a Top Golf experience” says Dandy. “Because Shanks Driving Range and Grill was not incorporating Top Golf into their name, there were no corporate guidelines that needed to be followed, so it’s then up to the owner of each facility to design their business and in turn, this gave us great flexibility to create what we thought would have the most rewarding outcome” adds Dandy.
“Gemsen was thrilled to partner with myITsource on the Shanks Driving Range project who brought an exciting and unique opportunity for highlighting and installing Furrion outdoor TVs,” stated Edit Cantor, Gemsen’s National Sales manager who worked closely with Dandy on the Shanks Driving range project. “This collaboration is a great reminder that the possibilities are endless when it comes to outdoor TV installations, particularly when creating the ultimate backyard oasis both in residential and commercial environments. Shanks Golf serves as a fun and engaging way to inspire both dealers and customers as they plan their next project” added Cantor.
myITsource project managed the complete installation including networking the Top Tracer software that arrived pre-programed. Top Tracer corporate then sent a rep out to the location after the installation to mount and program three proprietary cameras and do the last mile programming.
Since Shanks Driving Range and Grill is a brand new business, Dandy has no previous sales data to compare how the business has changed since the custom installation, but a great testament to how the project turned out, Top Tracer awarded Shanks “Rookie of the Year” at the 2024 Tracie Awards for exceptional technology integration. Shanks is the first company in Canada ever to win a Top Tracer award. Another cool statistic shared by Sean Dandy, “the weekly maximum for balls hit was accomplished between April 11-18th this year with a whopping 60,000 balls hit!” Dandy jokes that you can probably average one beer for every 30 balls hit meaning the bar is as busy as the range!
“We installed four Furrion outdoor TVs per bay in a 2×2 configuration with custom fabricated mounting arms. Working closely with trusted distribution partners Gemsen and Evolution Home Corp., myITsource sourced premium Furrion Outdoor TVs and Kanto Mounts for the project, highlighting the company’s commitment to quality partnerships and full-service commercial A/V expertise available to businesses across Western Manitoba and surrounding areas” concluded Dandy who is justifiably pleased with how the Shanks Driving Range project unfolded.
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