Our Story: 40+ Years of Peoria Golf, Reimagined

For more than 40 years, Illini Golf has been the local hot spot for Central Illinois golfers. We’ve been the place you come to get expert advice, the latest gear, and award-winning club fittings from people who live and breathe the game.

Today, we’re writing the next chapter of that story.

We’ve moved into our new home at the Peoria Metro Centre, a state-of-the-art, year-round “boutique golf experience” designed for the entire community. With triple the space, five Foresight Falcon simulators, and the only publicly accessible PuttView green in Illinois, we’ve created a new home for golf in Central Illinois—one that’s open 7 days a week, rain or shine.

This isn’t just an expansion; it’s a “full-circle” moment for our new owner, Matt Coulter.

A Full-Circle Journey

For Matt, this is more than just a business—it’s personal. His first job, back in 1994 at the age of 15, was right here at Illini Golf. It’s where he learned the ropes from our founder, Bill Ott, and developed a lifelong passion for the game and for serving the Peoria golf community.

After a successful career and years spent coaching junior high and high school golf, Matt has returned to where it all started. As a Peorian whose family has a 93-year history of investing in this community, Matt’s vision is to carry forward the Illini Golf legacy and give back to the hometown that shaped him.

“Golf has always had a positive stronghold here and I want to see than continue.” says Matt. “We’re investing in our hometown to create a facility that gives every golfer—from the beginner to the pro—the tools to get better and love this game all year long.”

Honoring Our Legacy: Bill Ott

You can’t talk about Illini Golf without talking about Bill Ott. For more than 40 years, Bill built this shop into the trusted, award-winning institution it is today. A Hall of Fame Bradley University Golfer and an expert, certified fitter, Bill’s commitment to the Central Illinois golf community is legendary.

We are proud to have Bill stay on as a mentor and key part of our team, ensuring his decades of wisdom and experience will continue to be a cornerstone of our shop.

Our Mission: The Future of Peoria Golf

Our new home isn’t just bigger; it’s built on a new mission: to make golf accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We’re here to “eliminate the stigma” that golf is only for experts.

Our new facility is a welcoming space for men, women, and junior golfers of all skill levels. It’s a place where a beginner can take their first lesson in a private bay, a high-schooler can practice on the PuttView green, and scratch players can dial in their skills on the same tech the pros use.