SCRANTON — A group of friends who bonded through golf aim to share their love of the game with the community through a new sports bar and practice facility.
The men plan to open 7 Under Golf & Social, 102 Wyoming Ave., inside the Oppenheim building by Jan. 15, co-owner Jake Dougherty said.
“It started with seven friends, who are golf enthusiasts, and one of the members has some experience with the Trackman technology they’re using on the (PGA) Tour,” Dougherty said. “We started seeing how popular indoor golf has become and this is going to give people the option and ability to play, practice and enjoy the game.”
The group consists of Dougherty, Matt Perry, Michael Perry, Nick Paone, Mike Manci and two silent partners.
7 Under Golf and Social on Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Co-owner Jake Dougherty talks to the Times-Tribune at 7 Under Golf and Social on Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Co-owner Nick Paone speaks to the Times-Tribune at 7 Under Golf and Social on Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The future bar area at 7 Under Golf and Social on Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Co-owner Mike Manci talks to the Times-Tribune at 7 Under Golf and Social on Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
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7 Under Golf and Social on Wyoming Ave. in downtown Scranton on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
“I played high school golf against Jake and some other guys, so it’s been cool that that’s part of our story that we’ve known each other going back that far,” Paone said. “I’m from Valley View, Jake and Mike went to (Scranton) Prep. We have some Dunmore guys, North Pocono (guys). It’s kind of a collection of friends around golf.”
Dougherty added that playing a round of golf on the simulator is more efficient than playing outside on a course.
“It’s quicker — it’s not four or five hours away from family or friends,” he said. “And from a technology standpoint, I don’t think there is anything like it in the area. It’s high-end, high-quality.”
Dougherty feels the atmosphere will make the spot attractive for players of all skill levels.
“Golf has become less serious over the years,” he said. “People listen to music, drink and socialize. There has been a big transformation from the ’90s golfer to today.”
Dougherty noted Picciocchi’s Pasta, another commercial tenant in the building, will provide food for 7 Under.
Casey Donahue, a partner with D&D Realty Group, which owns the building, believes the new business will be a great addition to the property.
“The golf simulator and bar is something entirely new to the downtown, which is going to be great,” he said. “We’ve been saving that space for someone good and we think that’s the perfect fit to activate that corner. I think it will bring a bunch of foot traffic to other businesses and I know the tenants are going to love it — they’ll be able to walk downstairs, not even have to go outside, and play a round of golf.”
The bar aspect will include 12 big-screen TVs, and the three simulators will transition into viewing screens after 10 p.m.
“This will be your favorite sports bar with the ability to play golf inside of it,” Manci said.
The new golf simulators coming to downtown Scranton add to the trend started at the Greater Scranton YMCA on North Blakely Street in Dunmore in January 2024.
The local YMCA introduced a TruGolf simulator to cater to the interests of its members, said Brandon Whipple, senior program director.
“I was traveling to different YMCAs, both in state and out of state, and I saw a YMCA had it set up, and I saw how successful it was,” Whipple said. “Being that we have a big golf community within our YMCA, we explored ways that we could potentially bring this to our facility and get our members engaged with it. After contacting some local golf professionals, we were able to find somebody that was selling a simulator. We purchased it and set it up in our facility.”
The simulator is available to members and nonmembers; however nonmembers must sign a liability waiver at the desk, Whipple said.
Players must bring their own clubs, but golf balls are provided, he added.
“We see a lot of people coming in who want to keep developing their golf game, or work on their swing, and we’re giving them that environment to continue to play year-round as opposed to having to wait until the spring,” Whipple said. “We see people even in the summer, trying to beat the heat.”
Whipple stressed the technology associated with the simulators serves as a quality teaching tool.
“Everything is moving toward artificial intelligence,” he said. “It tells you the speed of the ball you’re hitting, the curvature, the direction, and the force coming off the club head. I’m not a golfer, but the guys I talk to say the info it spits back out after you swing is pretty thorough and gives them more information on how they can correct their shot.”