When Landers Pocket took over a green fields site near the Brisbane Airport 12 years ago, the team had a vision: create a space where golf lovers could enjoy the sport without committing to a full 18-hole round.
A team of 20 started out running the golf driving range, mini golf, a bar and café. The entertainment precinct has now expanded into a hub combining sport, hospitality and lifestyle, employing 170 staff.
The turning point came in 2018 when golf technology began changing the industry. Golf Central invested in ball tracking technology across each bay, becoming the first facility in the Southern Hemisphere to do so.
Landers Pocket managing director James Cooper said the innovation completely changed who the golf range appealed to, attracting players who wanted data-driven practice without the time commitment.
“We always knew people loved golf,” James said, “but they didn’t have time to play 18 holes on a Saturday. The technology transformed everything.”
As golf entertainment became more popular post-2020, Landers Pocket scaled rapidly. Today, they operate 56 golf bays, two mini golf courses, and 4 Pines Brewery, an 800-seat bar and restaurant.
Increasing to an organisation with 170 staff in a short timeframe presented challenges with the business now balancing golf and hospitality, each with their own operational requirements, award systems, and expectations.
“Workforce planning has become critical for us, encompassing everything from brewing staff to chefs to golf professionals,” James said.
As a member of the Business Chamber Queensland, James utilised the expert advice on workplace awards, human resources, recruitment and sustainability, including a site review with ecoBiz.
“That kind of practical, ongoing support is invaluable when you’re growing a business in Queensland. It’s about having a partner who understands the real challenges you face and can help solve them,” James said.
“It basically means we can focus on growing the business rather than worrying about whether we’re doing things correctly.
“The team were able to give us information that isn’t shaped by what’s happening internally in the business – it’s objective. Sometimes when you have HR within the business, you can have quite a different experience.”
Landers Pocket continues to evolve with concrete pouring for four padel tennis courts (the world’s fastest-growing sport) completed. The organisation’s future plans include an expanded outdoor beer garden and an outdoor concert space for 3,500 people.
Business Chamber Queensland provided support with:
- Workforce change consultation
- Award interpretation
- Communication strategy and employee support
- Employment contracts and onboarding
- Policies, procedure review
- Organisational structure review
For more on the support and services Business Chamber Queensland can offer you, visit Workplace and HR support » Business Chamber Queensland
