Rhode Island range once slated for Costco sells to Golf Ranch

A Rhode Island practice facility once headed for redevelopment as a Costco will instead stay in golf. Mulligan's Island Golf & Entertainment announced on August 19 that it is selling its 64-acre property on New London Avenue in Cranston to Golf Ranch, a Dallas-based operator of technology-equipped driving ranges. Terms were not disclosed; the sale is expected to close September 1.

When does Mulligan's Island close?

The complex, open since 2001, runs under current ownership through September 20. Renovation begins the week after, with a reopening targeted for spring 2027. Michael Friedman, managing partner of Mulligans Island LLC, said the buyer will give the site “the reinvestment it has earned” and that after 26 seasons it needed more than one family could put in.

What is Golf Ranch?

Golf Ranch is owned by Blue Jeans Golf, started by two former Topgolf executives to pair that format's entertainment side with a facility serious golfers would use. It bought its first range in Brookfield, Connecticut, in 2021 and has added five since — two near Dallas, two around Kansas City, one in Phoenix. Cranston will be the seventh, less than two miles from an existing Topgolf in the same city.

Planned work includes Trackman in every hitting bay, a three-bay outdoor center, a longer covered tee line, and refurbishment of the mini-golf course, batting cages and short-game area.