Green Bay Packaging succeeds at sustainability
December 15, 2025
OCONTO FALLS – Golfers looking to stay in swing through the winter now have a new place to do so in Oconto Falls.
Owners Steve and Jill Genett said In The Rough – which opened Nov. 1 at 323 E. Highland Drive – features indoor golf simulators designed for year-round play.
“We have what they call Apex on there, and that is streaming in thousands of different courses from around the world – [including local courses],” Steve Genett said.
Furthermore, Genett said the system provides golfers with a full breakdown of their data.
“So, how your club is hitting the ball, how that impacts the ball with the backspin and the way it’s going to fly,” he said.
During a demonstration for The Business News, Genett showed how the system works, and once he hit the ball, the screen immediately provided detailed information, covering distance, trajectory, velocity, rotation and the club used.
Golfers have the option of playing nine or 18 holes, and Genett said the system doubles as a driving range.
Pairing TruGolf’s advanced golf technology with a comfortable, casual atmosphere, Genett said the facility offers something for every type of player – from solo practice sessions to group outings, leagues and events.
For now, he said golfers are asked to bring their own clubs and balls, though he plans to offer rentals in the future.
Genett said weekday rates are $30 per person or $45 per hour for groups, while weekend play – starting at 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday – costs $55 per hour for individuals or groups.
Beyond the facility’s two simulator stations, he said the interior has a golfer’s lounge and a bar area – which offers domestic and craft beers, classic cocktails and non-alcoholic options.
One of the highlights of the menu, Genett said, is the Rotating Drink of the Month – which features a new specialty beverage each month.
How it started
Genett said to understand how he and Jill became first-time business owners, it’s important to know more about their background.
After spending six years in the U.S. Navy as a hull technician, Genett said he returned to school to study machining.
“It was a good experience being back in school and in college,” he said. “So, I went again a couple of years back, and I ended up getting an LLC [through a program] they offered. They said they would do the paperwork. It was free of charge for students at the time.”
Originally, Genett said the plan was to use the LLC to open a bicycle shop.
“But as soon as we started getting into that, we noticed a few of the big brands opening up closer to the area,” he said.
Deciding against competing in that space, Genett said the LLC sat dormant for roughly a year.
“We ended up going around and seeing a couple of places that were in the neighboring community… and decided that maybe indoor golf was the way to go,” he said.
Genett said changes in golfer demographics over the years make indoor options more appealing to a wider range of players – especially since in the wintertime, the sport “pretty much shuts down.”
“We took our chance, and here we are,” he said. “It’s a risk, and it’s terrifying at times, but it’s fun, too – especially when you get some people inside that are really having a great time and enjoying themselves. That’s what it’s all about really – watching community members come out and have a good time.”
Though being first-time business owners has been “a learning experience,” Genett said they are learning as they go, and Jill just finished her degree in accounting.
“That’s a big help to what we’re doing here also,” he said.
Selecting the location
Once they decided on an indoor golf facility, Genett said he and Jill began scouting various properties.
“This one just turned out to be the best one for us,” he said.
Genett said the location is conveniently close to home, and the remodel was minimal.
Renovations, he said, began Aug. 15 – shortly after signing the lease – and wrapped up in mid-October, prior to the November opening.
Most of the work, Genett said, they did themselves, except for the electrical work, for which they hired a local contractor.
Though the first few weeks were “slow,” Genett said things have started to pick up.
“We’ve got a lot of people coming in saying ‘we’ll definitely be back,’” he said.
Genett said In The Rough will start offering leagues in January.
Additional offerings
Beyond golf, Genett said the simulators have a built-in arcade.
“You can play major league pitching, quarterbacking, soccer,” he said. “There are kids’ games on there, too – dodgeball, zombies. There’s stuff for people who are not golfers.”
Genett said they have also partnered with the Milk & Honey Café next door to offer food and drink options.
In the Rough, he said, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., except on Sundays when it closes at 6 p.m.Though walk-ins are welcome, Genett said those who want to guarantee a spot can call ahead or schedule a tee time online at golfintherough.com.
