Entrepreneurs merge ideas to bring Mitchell first-ever axe-throwing, multi-sport simulator business

Oct. 31—MITCHELL — As he's been residing in Mitchell over the past year, Montana Walcott saw a void in activities and entertainment for younger and middle-aged populations in the area.

The Michigan transplant is hoping to fill that void with his new axe-throwing and sports simulator business he and his business partner opened in mid-October on the north side of Mitchell.

"I felt like Mitchell is just starving for entertainment. There just aren't enough activities and entertainment things to do here for a place this size," Walcott said. "It filled my soul to see a group of young guys with their girlfriends throwing axes and having a great time the other night."

Initially, Walcott was planning to pursue the business venture solo and open a venue that would feature axe-throwing. After linking up with Derek Evans, a Mitchell area entrepreneur with a passion for golf simulators, the two merged their ideas to create a combination of axe-throwing and multi-sport simulators — inspiring the name Bullseyes & Birdies.

Unlike other axe-throwing pubs that have a large piece of wood with spray-painted targets, Bullseyes & Birdies integrates technology in its six axe-throwing bays. Walcott uses a projector with a handful of games, such as zombie killing and duck hunter, that are displayed on the compressed logs axe-throwers chuck their axes into.

"You're throwing into actual logs here. It sticks better, and it's a lot more fun. There are a lot of axe-throwing games to pick from, so you're not stuck playing the same target the entire time," Walcott said, as he demonstrated how to use the technology that registers the axe throws.

With a golf simulator in his garage, Evans is well-versed in the emerging technology. Golf simulators entail a large screen displaying virtual golf courses that analyze a player's swing. Players use real clubs to hit golf balls into the screen, which is analyzed by a software system that provides data on the power and accuracy of each swing. The pair of simulators at Bullseyes & Birdies are equipped with artificial turf, mimicking grass and other sports playing fields.

"I already had the projector and launch monitors, and I had thought about opening a business with just simulators in the past. I never thought of the axe-throwing portion of it until Montana did. It's been a fun partnership," Evans said.

Throughout his time playing golf on his simulator, Evans has learned how to create virtual replicas of real golf courses he plays around the Mitchell area, including Lakeview and Wild Oak. And he made sure the pair of simulators set up at Bullseyes & Birdies have an array of Mitchell area golf courses and other popular ones across the nation that customers can play, virtually.

"The software has come a long way. It gives us a good couple options now to play an eight-person scramble, for example. You can play local courses as well that are almost identical to the courses," Evans said. "A lot of guys will want to play a popular pro course like Pebble Beach, but sometimes guys miss their home course in the middle of winter and want to play it on the simulator."

The golf simulators offer much more sports than just golf including dodgeball, soccer and disc golf.

The business website allows customers to reserve axe-throwing bays and golf simulators, but walk-ins are also welcome. Since opening in mid-October, Evans and Walcott said business has been going strong.

"We should get a good chunk of revenue from our two golf and multi-sport simulator bays. We have really good Eye XO launch monitors that are specifically designed for golf and the list of other sports you can play," Evans said.

Considering axe-throwing is new to Mitchell, Walcott and Evans help guide first-time axe throwers before competing among their group. Kids as young as 8 who are accompanied by an adult are eligible to participate in axe-throwing and the multi-sports simulators.

All participants are required to sign a waiver prior to tossing axes at the wall of compressed wood.

In addition to the axe-throwing bays and multi-sport simulators, Bullseyes & Birdies sells beer and pizza.

Finding more staff has been one of the first challenges the two have come up against like many service-oriented businesses are grappling with. Walcott and Evans, along with a full-time employee, have been handling the customer load.

"We knew finding staff would be tough at first, but this is a fun part-time job opportunity unlike anything in the area," Walcott said, noting the business is sticking to an evening schedule for now stretching from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday.

Finding a location was also a challenge. With few affordable rental options, Walcott and Evans found an ideal setup inside the newly renovated 12th and Main Business Plaza, the former Campbell's Supply building.

With years of building experience, Walcott remodeled the business suite into what it is now by himself.

"We're open to moving into a bigger space in the future if the demand is there," Walcott said.

Monitoring alcohol consumption is also a key element for the staff to ensure safety.

While Mitchell has yet to see an axe-throwing and golf simulator bar, it isn't a new business concept outside of Mitchell. Sioux Falls, for example, has an axe-throwing pub that's been operating for years.

Walcott and Evans have researched safety protocols that other axe-throwing businesses that mix alcohol follow. That's helped them adopt guidelines they are confident will ensure a "safe and fun" experience for all.

"Safety is just as important to us as proving a fun environment, and we've seen how much fun there is to be had with axe-throwing and the simulators without any issues," Walcott said.