Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1954, William “Bill” Ricigliano has spent more than five decades turning unconventional ideas into groundbreaking innovations. A successful entrepreneur and master craftsman, he built a distinguished career in custom flooring, completing projects at iconic New York landmarks including the World Trade Center and Bergdorf Goodman.
Driven by his lifelong passion for golf, he envisioned a revolutionary concept in the 1980s: a fully simulated golf experience that would challenge traditional course design and redefine how the game could be played. His vision earned its first design patent in 1993, setting the stage for decades of innovation in course strategy, scoring systems, and gameplay.
Today, that relentless pursuit of innovation has culminated in The Putting Zone, a first-of-its-kind indoor golf experience featuring a patented 18-hole, par-72 professional putting course that brings the strategy, competition, and excitement of golf to players of all skill levels.
The Ricigliano Story
Behind my entrepreneurial spirit lies a deeply personal story that shaped my outlook on life.
In 1979, my youngest daughter, Tiffany, was born with a neurological condition later diagnosed as athetoid cerebral palsy. Doctors initially predicted she would never walk or talk.
Refusing to accept that prognosis, my family pursued early physical therapy and dedicated themselves to giving Tiffany every opportunity to succeed.
Today, Tiffany leads an independent and fulfilling life, a testament to perseverance, determination, and the power of believing in possibilities. That experience profoundly changed my life and inspired my lifelong commitment to giving back.
For more than 36 years, I have served with Kiwanis International, holding leadership positions while dedicating my time and resources to improving the lives of children.
My passion for golf, innovation, and philanthropy continues to fuel my vision for The Putting Zone and its expansion into communities across the country.
For me, The Putting Zone represents far more than a business venture. It is the culmination of a lifetime of innovation, perseverance, and an unwavering belief that limitations are meant to be challenged.
My mission is not simply to transform the game of golf, but to create an experience that brings people together, inspires future generations, and leaves a lasting legacy.
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Who introduced you to golf and when was that?
I was first introduced to golf at 16 while attending high school in Sound Beach, New York. My first experience was at Tall Tree Golf Course (now Rolling Oaks Golf Course) in nearby Rocky Point, where I played with an old set of rental clubs. From that very first round, I was hooked.
My first set of clubs was a vintage hickory set purchased at a garage sale for $5.00, sparking not only a lifelong passion for the game but also a deep appreciation for its rich history and traditions.
The genesis of The Putting Zone came from what idea?
The idea for The Putting Zone came to me back in the 1980s when I asked myself a simple question: What if you could build an entire golf course out of carpet? With my background in custom flooring and lifelong passion for golf, I always believed putting was one of the most important parts of the game, yet it never seemed to get the attention it deserved.
I wanted to change that by creating something entirely new, and that vision eventually became The Putting Zone
What differentiates The Putting Zone from others in the same general lane space?
The Putting Zone isn’t miniature golf or just another entertainment venue—it’s an entirely new way to experience the game.
With our patented 18-hole, par-72 course, innovative scoring system, and proprietary turf technology, we’ve created a competitive putting experience that can play differently every time.
It’s where the excitement of competition meets the authenticity of professional golf training.
You have a facility in Nashville — what prompted you to start there?
Nashville was the perfect choice for our flagship location, with its booming tourism industry, rapid growth, and vibrant entertainment scene.
It gives us the opportunity to introduce putting as a sport of its own to millions of visitors and locals, regardless of their golf experience.
Plus, Nashville’s four seasons allow us to showcase the benefits of a year-round, climate-controlled golf experience.
How much growth potential to you see for The Putting Zone?
We see tremendous potential for The Putting Zone, with plans to open 15 locations over the next five years, starting in Florida and expanding into major golf markets nationwide.
But our vision goes far beyond building venues—we want to establish putting as a recognized competitive sport, with the ultimate goal of seeing it in the Olympics. After all, if breakdancing can make it to the Olympics, why can’t putting?
Have any of the major golf companies / organizations reached out to you and do you envision developing such relationships going forward?
Absolutely. We’ve built relationships with some incredible names in golf, including Bettinardi, Cobra/PUMA Golf, VICE Golf, Bobby Grace, SeeMore Putters, and the Tennessee Golf Foundation, among others.
These industry leaders recognize the potential of The Putting Zone to introduce golf to an entirely new audience, and as we expand nationally, we look forward to building partnerships that help grow the game and make it more accessible to everyone.
Do you see any value in product endorsements from those competing at the highest of levels on the various pro tours?
Absolutely. We’ve received incredible endorsements from some of the world’s top professional putters, many of whom consider The Putting Zone the premier professional putting venue in the world.
But our vision goes beyond the pros—we want to work with PGA professionals, collegiate and junior golfers, and Special Olympics athletes to make competitive putting accessible to everyone.
Ultimately, our goal isn’t just to attract the world’s best players, but to inspire and develop the next generation.
If you could change one thing in golf unilaterally — what would it be and why?
If I could change one thing about golf, it would be accessibility. Rising costs, time commitments, and private memberships have made it harder for families and beginners to enjoy the game.
That’s why we created The Putting Zone—to break down those barriers and give people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels an affordable way to experience the competition, camaraderie, and excitement of golf.
The greatest short- and long-term challenges facing The Putting Zone are what and what are the strategies you envision implementing to deal with each?
Our biggest short-term challenge is helping people understand that The Putting Zone isn’t miniature golf or putt-putt—it’s an entirely new competitive golf experience. We’re changing perceptions by introducing players to the skill, strategy, and excitement of putting through leagues, tournaments, and organized competitions. Ultimately, we believe the best way to understand what makes The Putting Zone special is to experience it firsthand.
Our biggest long-term challenge will be meeting the growing demand for The Putting Zone without compromising the quality and authenticity of the experience.
We’re already hearing from customers who want to see us in their hometowns, which is incredibly exciting. Our focus is on strategic, disciplined expansion that allows us to grow nationally while preserving what makes The Putting Zone truly unique.
Best advice you ever received – what was it and who was it from?
Most important quote: “commitment in and of itself, irrespective of whether you win or not, is, is something that truly makes your life more worthwhile.”
“When your plate gets full, get another plate”
“Always pay it forward.”
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For info go to:
The Putting Zone – The Ultimate Putting Experience – Nashville, TN
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M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”