Dr. Wayne Pasanen was 16 when he scored a hole-in-one.

“It was more luck than skill,’’ said Pasanen, now 70. “But it grabbed me and I got addicted to golf.’’

Pasanen attended Brown University and the University of Vermont Medical School, and became Lowell General Hospital’s first full-time emergency physician in 1973.

He rose to vice president of medical affairs at the hospital in 1993 until retiring in 2014.

Now, a lot of the focus is on golf.

“I’ve played all over the world,’’ said Pasanen, of North Andover. “I’m a golf nut.’’

In 2009, he discovered golf simulators, which allow golf to be played indoors on a graphically or photographically simulated course.

“I had to have one,’’ said Pasanen, who set up a simulator in his barn for family and friends to try. “They loved it and I thought it could be a business; a fun way to be an entrepreneur.’’

Pasanen opened OptiGolf in Middleton last year and it is already expanding.

Q. Customers?

A.It’s primarily for people who want to play golf in the offseason, November to early May, when they can’t play outdoors. People learn different aspects of their game and keep it sharp.

Q. Demographics?

A.From kids age 10 to golfers 82 years old. But most are 25 to 45 years old and not generally members of a private club. Indoor golf is great for teaching and for people being introduced to the game.

Q. Simulators?

A. Nine simulators projecting more than 85 championship courses. They are amazingly accurate. It’s a like a video game but you play with real balls and clubs. [Rates per simulator, which can be split between one to four players, $23 for a half-hour, Mondays through Thursdays, and $26 Fridays through Sundays and holidays; for one hour, $45 and $50.]

Q. Instruction?

A. We have a teaching professional. Sessions include evaluation of a player’s ball flight, equipment, and fitness; coaching and feedback; practice plans and drills. [Private lesson, $85/hour; group lesson with two or more players, $100/hour]. There is also a junior golf program.

Q. Leagues?

A. Open and private leagues.

Q. Other offerings?

A.Pool tables, table tennis, shuffleboard, darts, big-screen televisions, and a full bar. Fund-raisers, private, corporate, and other functions.

Q. Bottom line?

A. Entertainment and people having fun. I enjoy seeing people there rather than in the emergency room.

WENDY KILLEEN

Wendy Killeen can be reached at wdkilleen@gmail.com.