All new energy

Nichole Inkel, shown at the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida, brings new energy to Windy Hill Golf Course.

MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA | On a late-morning weekday, traffic at Windy Hill Golf Course was bustling.

That’s largely a credit to owner Nichole Inkel, the possessor of enviable energy, who consistently has her finger on the pulse of the multi-use facility, located in the Richmond area.

She purchased Windy Hill in 2021 from two longtime owners. Built in 1989, once established, Windy Hill enjoyed steady traffic. But more recently, the facility fell into disrepair. Interest – especially among golfers – waned, and the complex wasn’t exactly keeping up with the times. The original owners were understandably weary from having to manage the place on a daily basis for 30-plus years.

When she took over, Inkel didn’t want to change a few things — she wanted to change everything. As a jumping off point, she devised a quasi focus group, asking different audiences 10...