Family-owned Willow Golf Range in Plum is in its 60th year in business

Frank and Rose Marie Borkovich had a vision to build a driving range, mini-golf course and ice cream shop.

He was a golf pro and Florida State amateur golf champion. She was a nurse anesthetist.

The Plum couple made their dream a reality in their neighborhood in 1960.

Willow Golf Range was built on a 10-acre lot along the 7600 block of Saltsburg Road where S&T Bank now stands.

The business outgrew that location and the family moved it in 1986 to its current location, an estimated 18-acre lot a few blocks away along the same road.

Both Frank and Rose Marie Borkovich have since died, but their legacy lives on through their children and likely their children’s children.

Sons David and Mark Borkovich learned a lot about life and golf from their parents and are celebrating the family’s six-decade legacy of providing outdoor family-friendly entertainment.

“We were born into golf whether we liked it or not, and we love it,” said David Borkovich, 68. “These businesses, if they sustain this kind of time it has to be because of the personal interaction that we have with people.

“We all have very fond memories of coming up being golfers and to be in the golf business. He taught us the game. The sportsmanship of the game and the integrity of the game, and also that it’s a game you can play all your life. Some of the other sports, as you get older, you can’t play.”

The brothers are both Plum graduates and went to college on golf scholarships.

David Borkovich studied business and marketing at East Tennessee State University. Mark Borkovich went to Old Dominion University to become a journalist.

Both inevitably decided to continue in their parents’ footsteps and even live on the property.

“It’s not like going to an office every day,” said Mark Borkovich, 54. “It’s something we’ve been doing our whole lives. We’re well into the game. I was going to be the next Bill Hillgrove, but there’s only one Bill Hillgrove, and he’s the best. I’ve got a better (thing) going selling golf balls.”

Hillgrove is a legendary Pittsburgh sports broadcaster, radio personality and sports journalist.

Mark Borkovich has two daughters, Brittany and Haley, who also went to college on golf scholarships. They occasionally help at the range.

Some notable customers include Dan Marino, Rocco Mediate, Jim McGovern and the late baseball player Bob Moose.

“If you treat them well, they usually treat you well, and it’s a happy experience at the end of the day,” Mark Borkovich said of customers. “We have a lot of regulars every day. We get to know them on a first-name basis. … It’s a great thing when you’ve had customers for 20, 30, 40 years. They’re part of your life, and hopefully we’re a part of theirs. That’s what it is, and that’s what it’s about.”

Paul Sides of Shadyside has been going to the Plum range the past 15 years. He practices his swing in preparation for rounds of golf at Meadowink Golf Course in Murrysville.

“It’s a good place to warm up,” Sides said. “It’s a very friendly place. There’s a lot of room, so you can use your driver and there’s no question about it being too loud.”

Willow Golf Range has 50 driving tees including several spots heated and covered, an 18-hole mini-golf course, an eight-spot batting cage and an ice cream shop with arcade games inside.

PGA teaching pro Scott Koontz gives lessons at Willow.

“You need multi-attractions,” David Borkovich said. “It’s good, fun family entertainment. That’s what we’re trying to strive for.”

Despite being shut down for nearly two months due to the covid-19 pandemic, the tees on both the range and mini-golf course have seen a major uptick this year compared to the last 10.

“We’re having a very good season this year,” said David Borkovich. “People don’t have a lot of things to do outside, and they’re looking for outside activities. From May 1 through Labor Day, everything was very good. I’m seeing families coming here together. They all have clubs. They’re all hitting balls. Before this pandemic, that wasn’t happening. It’s on the upswing again.”

The “season” for the driving range is usually from March through November, mini-golf from May through September, batting cages from April through early November and the ice cream shop from May through Labor Day.

David Borkovich said things start to slow down as the temperature drops, and staffing is reduced when students go back to school. However, the range is open all year.

More information about Willow Golf Range is available on its Facebook page or by calling 412-795-3887.