Miniature golf course 'glows in the dark'

Business Today

WAPPAPELLO -- Many people want to grab a golf club and hit a little, white, dimpled ball into a hole not much larger than a coffee cup. But not everyone has the patience, skill and stamina necessary to succeed on an 18-hole golf course.

Many individuals and families in the Poplar Bluff area have discovered the joys of miniature golf by playing a round or two at Puttin-A-Round Miniature Golf in Wappapello.

Owner Gary Green and his wife, Flora, purchased the miniature golf course last summer. This was something quite different for Green -- he has worked 16 years in retail as a lawn and garden merchandiser.

Since purchasing the course, the Greens have seen their business grow as families discover the fun of playing miniature golf. The business is family-oriented, and the course is managed by the Greens' son, Brian.

Gary Green says the greatest draw for players to visit the course is "glow in the dark" golf. If you haven't heard of it before, you aren't the only one.

To play the game, golfers use a clear golf ball that has a hole drilled in it. A glow stick featuring one of eight different colors is placed in the hole. Regular lights are turned off on the course and black lights and a strobe light are turned on.

Each group of golfers is given a flashlight and the other game rules remain the same.

"I've had people tell me they just like to watch the colors of the balls as they zig-zag across the course," said Green. "We've had a lot of people tell us they look forward to coming out here just to be able to play 'glow in the dark.'"

The course offers "glow in the dark" golf every other week, weather permitting.

Puttin-A-Round originally featured an old-town theme, but the Greens are making stylistic changes to the course.

Green said they have removed much of the previous decor and left the rocks, a gargoyle, a pagoda and a 5-foot-tall tunnel. He said a popular item at the park is an artificial alligator -- named Ali Gator -- that resides in a pool on the course.

The course features a covered picnic and snack area. Popcorn, sodas, ice cream, nachos and hot dogs are served.

Green believes there are several ways to improve the course in years to come.

"We have a lot of room to expand. There are all kinds of possibilities," said Green.

Children as young as 2 and people in their 80s have enjoyed playing miniature golf at Puttin-A-Round, according to Green. The course offers special rates for various groups such as churches, companies, birthday parties and boys and girls clubs.

BIG -- To play the game, golfers use a clear golf ball that has a hole drilled in it. A glow stick featuring one of eight different colors is placed in the hole. Regular lights are turned off on the course and black lights and a strobe light are turned on.