This year, we celebrated Airway Hills’ 20th year. This milestone has prompted us to reflect on the people, situations, and events that have shaped us into the Airway Hills you know today. It occurred to us that although we have a few people who have been with us from the very beginning, many of you don’t know the full Airway Hills story – a story no one could have predicted, but for which we couldn’t be more grateful. Here is our story…
As can happen, small beginnings often occur after a hardship. This was the case for Trent. In 2004, after being let go from his previous golf pro position (due to a facility restructuring), he was desperate to find a place to teach those to whom he owed lessons.
He remembered his neighbors, Jerry and Tammi Motley, mentioned they owned some farmland that was sitting idle out by the airport. Generously, they agreed to let Trent use it for teaching. He set up some hitting mats and got to teaching. Soon, Trent realized this opportunity could be the answer to his dream of owning a golf facility. After showing them his plans, the Motleys took a chance on Trent. With only a small down payment and the hope of his success, they sold him the land. In 2005, with nothing but his faith in God, his family, a handful of dedicated clients, and a few (very generous) friends, he and his family began the journey of building Airway Hills Golf Center.
From Farmland to Fairways
With only a few hitting mats and a little riding lawn mower (gifted by his parents), Trent and his mom and dad tirelessly plowed through fields of weeds, debris, and wheat to create a driving range for teaching. On evenings and weekends, his wife and daughters made the drive from town to hang out with their dad, have some dinner, and pick up some golf balls.
Now that he had a place to teach, he wondered how he would come up with the capital to build an actual pro shop. But God…
One day, while he was out on the property, he got a call from WSU athletics. Little did he know, the same year he started his business, the WSU course would be closed for the next year due to renovations. The golf team needed a place to practice, and PE classes still needed to happen. Within a day, they had signed an 18-month contract with Trent, and we had our startup capital!
The news stirred up excitement for the whole family. Within a week, Trent’s parents had packed up their motorhome and moved over to Pullman to help. Little by little, Trent, his parents, and a handful of good friends built the first structure on the property— the pro shop.
This build couldn’t have come at a better time, as fall rains and winds were soon approaching, creating a constant battle of mud and dust storms. By the fall, the range was becoming a giant mud pit. Something had to change.
One evening, as Trent and his family sat on the Pro Shop porch eating dinner, they noticed truck after truck hauling turf to the nearby dump. Intrigued, Trent went to investigate and soon discovered that the old WSU football field turf was being discarded. He was able to repurpose the turf for his range, laying out target greens to keep golf balls from sinking into the mud. If you visit today, you can still spot remnants of yard lines and the WSU logo, a reminder of those early days and God’s faithful provision and timing.
With new targets and a beautiful golf shop, they couldn’t help but wonder if people would come after the WSU contract was over; after all, not very many people drove out by the airport in those days. But God…
Around the same time that the contract ended, another miracle happened. Highway 8 (the main road between Moscow and Pullman) was diverted due to major construction. For the next year or so, all traffic between Moscow and Pullman was going through Airport Road, and passing our newly constructed golf center! The best advertising we could ever have.
Building a Legacy, One Step at a Time
Business was growing, and Airway Hills had become more than just a place to hit golf balls; it was a family-run establishment where guests were greeted by the smiling faces of Trent, Sherri, and his three little girls, Abbi, Alyssa, and Annie, who helped with small jobs and even ran the cash register. This sense of family and community was what kept people coming back.
Next came another big milestone—the mini golf course. Built through long hours of hard work, heavy lifting, and a little lemonade from the girls, it quickly became a favorite attraction in the Pullman-Moscow area. With every addition, Airway Hills continued to grow, drawing in new visitors and deepening its roots in the community.
Tough Times Call for Creative Solutions
Winters were long, and times were tougher after the crash in ‘08. Around this time, Trent and his family were also blessed with an addition to their family, their son RJ. RJ was born with Down syndrome, a total surprise to them. Everything kind of went on hold a little bit during those first couple of months.
Finances got tighter, so tight that bankruptcy was just 45 days away, and needs grew bigger. But, God… He always had a plan and always made a
way. After praying with and getting guidance from their Pastors, they were encouraged to consider putting their house up as a vacation rental for WSU football weekends (an unheard-of concept back then).
They decided to turn their home into an Airbnb to generate extra income and help sustain the business during the winter months. His wife, Sherri, ever the supportive partner, embraced the
challenge alongside him. Sacrifices and memories were made as the family would pack up each weekend and set up “camp” in the golf shop.
Thus, “The Retreat” was born—a warm, welcoming home allowing families and groups to experience the beauty of Airway Hills firsthand.
As the years went by, Trent’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to continue expansion, including hosting events, building our par-3 course, and taking his clients on golf trips across the country.
A Game-Changing Vision – The Event Center
Only 13 years after the first golf balls were hit on the range, Trent and his family embarked on their biggest project yet—the Airway Hills Event Center. The idea for this space was born from a week Trent and his daughter spent at “Be the Entrepreneur” Bootcamp, an experience that ignited a new vision for the future. Initially, he imagined a simple metal barn with garage doors and hitting bays, but with time, research, and prayer, he discovered golf simulator technology (a newer concept at the time). Could this innovation keep his business running year-round? Could it provide his family with a steady income, even in the Palouse winters? The answer was clear—it was time to take the leap.
He still remembers the morning when his family gathered together before school to break ground on the new building. That moment in 2018 marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter. It didn’t come without its trials, however. Higher construction costs and delayed financing from the bank meant that they had to get creative once again. By now, their relationship with the Motleys had grown into a true partnership. The Motleys’ belief in the success of Airway Hills once again inspired their generosity. They extended a loan to help Trent get the Event Center built. This loan, and the generosity of several others, helped Trent and the business through construction (and “Covid”, only a year and a half later).
The new building and the winter income it brought were a turning point for Airway Hills. The simulators provided an indoor, all-season golf experience, while the event space became a go-to destination for corporate events, team gatherings, and celebrations. The investment paid off, turning Airway Hills into more than just a golf center—it became a year-round experience-driven destination for groups, families, and golfers alike.
2025 – Still Growing
As 2025 (and their 20th year) comes to a close, it’s important to mention some of the improvements/additions that have been made this year alone. The upstairs event center space has been turned into an upscale vacation rental called “The Crow’s Nest” (a nod to Augusta National Golf Course). This golf-themed vacation rental is the perfect extension to any business outing or a unique space for families and groups. The old pro shop has also been fully transformed into a cozy little “Cottage” vacation rental for smaller groups and families to enjoy.
Another significant investment was the upgrading of the simulators. People have commented on the accuracy of the golf, and even non-golfers are loving some of the other simulator activities, such as football and soccer. The new sims have also allowed for stronger simulator leagues and events.
Additionally, over the summer, a second 18-hole mini golf course was built (around the same time, a movie production company reached out about using the original course as a set for their new movie). This exciting addition has already made for some great events and exciting all-day fun, as visitors often decide to play unlimited mini golf, taking on 36+ holes during their visit.
Still a Family Business
Today, Airway Hills remains a family affair. Sherri manages the books, events, and Airbnbs. Abbi oversees marketing and landscaping. Annie helps maintain the grounds when she’s home from college. Alyssa can often be found hitting some balls on the range. RJ will frequently come and say hi when he gets off the school bus. The grandparents can still be found helping with construction planning and picking up golf balls when they come to visit. And Trent continues to be the driving force—CEO, head pro, visionary, and a friend to so many who visit.
If you have the chance, take a moment to talk to Trent or Sherri and their family during your visit—you’re bound to find them around the property, continuing the work they started all those years ago. And just like that first piece of turf laid on the range, every part of Airway Hills has a story to tell. We invite you to become a part of it.
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