The
In(door)s and Out(door)s of Miniature Golf
The management of each facility has made the most of their chosen locales
and
The course at Fun & Games has a tropical theme using fountains, murals
on the walls and plastic plants. The course also incorporates sound
effects. At one hole where the obstacle is a tiki mask, making the shot
elicits a Tarzan-style yell. There are eight other calls and the last hole
is custom-made and mimics the game of ski ball. Making that shot gets the
player redemption tickets.
Gordie Potratz of Fun & Games agreed that a good reputation is
important. "In this industry people start out with a bang.
Maintaining that is important," he said. "The quality of your
staff and how you treat the guests, I can't say enough about that."
Mini-Golf, Inc. makes about 50 traditional obstacles like barns, churches,
windmills and traffic lights plus approximately 40 fiberglass obstacles
such as dinosaurs, lions and tigers. Their Pro Putter Model is a portable
course that tests the putting skills of the player to the extent of a
permanent cement course. Its features include rolling hills, undulations,
two tier greens, sand and water hazards, and even the ability to change
pin placements.
The company also offers its expertise in designing a course to fit the
space available for it. An 18 hole course can be put into an area as small
as 3000 square feet or, with a more elaborate layout and landscaping, as
large as 15,000. "We're always happy to meet with prosepctive owners,
find out what they have in mind, and share some of our ideas and
experiences," said Joseph Rogari, vice president/marketing at
Mini-Golf, Inc. To reach Mini-Golf, Inc. call 570-489-8623.
Two family fun
centers are moving into their second decades of operation. That's a
milestone for any small business. Costa's Family Fun Park, an outdoor
facility in Hawley, Pennsylvania, and Fun & Games Family Fun Center,
an indoor facility in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, have both incorporated
miniature golf as a main feature. Their courses were designed and
manufactured by Mini-Golf, Inc. of Jessup, Pennsylvania.
Fun & Games features an indoor miniature golf that can stay open all
year. They also have a soft play arena, redemption and arcade games,
bumper cars, a two seat motion simulator, a gyro-sphere, craft center, and
rock climbing. This facility also features an area especially for parties.
In operation for fourteen years, Fun & Games added miniature golf ten
years ago. "No matter what else we've done, miniature golf has held
its own," said Gordie Potratz, co-owner of Fun & Games.
Costa's went with a more traditional theme incorporting obstacles like a
windmill, a wishing well and a tree house. "Changing the course has
not really been necessary. Business has been very good, we have lots of
repeat customers," said Ken Lauerson. "We keep everything
reasonably priced and we and the employees keep the place absolutely
spotless. People appreciate that," Lauerson said. "We have a
great staff and a member of the family is always there," he added.
