Still A Leader
This is part of a continuing series of articles spotlighting former Butler County area athletes and what they are doing now.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Marissa DeCola was a leader on the golf course for Butler High School.
Now she's a leader for two entertainment venues in South Carolina — and looking for more.
DeCola, 25, is the Director of Events and Marketing for The Grand — a boutique bowling alley and restaurant — and Top Golf Swing Suite, where patrons can enjoy various sports through simulated bays.
“I put together corporate events at these places and am heavily involved in marketing planning,” DeCola said. “Part of my job is making sure theses businesses have the right target market.
“The Grand isn't your typical bowling alley. There are only seven lanes, but the atmosphere is upscale with nice couches and the food served there is amazing.”
She described the Swing Suite as hitting golf balls at screens, simulating the top 80 courses in the world. Baseball, football, hockey and other simulated sports are available.
“These are very unique venues,” DeCola said.
DeCola, 25, is using the marketing/professional sales degree she earned at Indiana University of the Big Ten. She received a scholarship there through golf.
DeCola was on a pair of Indiana teams that reached the NCAA Regionals.
“I don't play anywhere near as much golf anymore,” she said. “I play maybe once every two weeks. It's like 100 degrees down here during the summer and I don't like golfing in the heat.
“Winters are beautiful. I play a lot more golf then.”
DeCola is engaged to be married, the wedding date set for July 11 of next year. She met her fiancé on a golf course, actually.
“I moved to South Carolina after college and took a job as an assistant at Orangeburg Country Club,” DeCola said. “I didn't know anybody at the time and one of our members thought I'd have a hard time meeting people, so he introduced me to his grandson.
“He told me his grandson knew a lot of people ... Three years later, here we are.”
DeCola said her place of employment is planning on operating a brewery along with marketing an “upscale” simulation bay sporting complex “that would have members and a country club atmosphere.
“I love what I do,” she added. “Maybe someday we'll move back up north, be closer to family, but I hope I'm always doing this type of work.”
A 2012 Butler graduate, DeCola placed in the top 10 in the PIAA Girls Golf Tournament three times in high school, including a fourth-place finish her senior year. Her eighth-grade year was the first year Butler High School provided a girls golf team.
“I still follow the program and talk to Coach (Sarah) Zediker,” DeCola said. “Last year's team did really well and I love seeing that.
“It's cool to be part of an inaugural program and see it continue to prosper and help so many girls learn and play golf, and get to college through the sport. I'm proud I was a part of that.”
