Families looking for fun this Homecoming weekend can hit the ‘links’ Friday, Saturday or Sunday during the Homecoming Mini Golf tournament hosted by Airway Hills Driving Range and Miniature Golf.
“It’s something where people can come at their own leisure,” said Trent Goetze, Professional Golf Association Professional and course owner. “We just keep a scoreboard going.”
Tee times start at 9 a.m. and are available until dark, first-come-first-serve. Cost is $10 per person for 18 holes of mini golf. Winners will be announced via email following Sunday’s final round. Prizes will be awarded for teams in first through fourth place.
“If there’s a family that comes, we call that a team,” Goetze said “It’s a team best ball, so the lowest person’s score counts as your team score … if you, your mom and your dad are playing, and Mom gets a hole-in-one it’s a one on the scorecard for your team.”
Goetze said this is the second year he’s hosted a Homecoming tournament, although he hosted one for Dads Weekend, in which many people participated.
“Last year as I remember the weather wasn’t that great, and we only had 50 or 60 people show up,” Goetze said. “Times like Moms Weekend we’ll have 150 or 200 (people).”
Although this tournament is not an official University of Idaho-sponsored event, Homecoming planners said they were pleased to include this and other community-related events.
“We’re always happy to promote events if they are at all affiliated with the university,” said Katie Dahlinger, Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni Programs.
Located at 4811 Airport Road in Pullman, Airway Hills opened in 2005. Goetz said the 300-yard driving range is popular with students. Students often come as a group and hit a family-size bucket of 350 balls for $25. Normal buckets of 51 balls cost $5.
“I’m a golf professional, so I teach golf for a living,” Goetze said. “I’ve always dreamed of having my own golf place.”
In 2008 the 18-hole mini golf course was added, complete with two water hazards, several sand traps, challenging boulders and tricky contours. The mini golf course is much like a real golf course, rather than the type of course found at amusement parks.
“You know when you fly over a course in an airplane? Well, this course is made to look like that,” Goetze said. “It’s been very well received. In fact several people have told me it’s the best mini golf course they’ve played.”
Goetze, a graduate of UI, said he has plans for the former farmland, including a 9-hole, par-3 course that is scheduled to open April 2012. Fairways will range from 35 to 180 yards. Goetze said he plans to have a full par-3 golf tournament next Homecoming.
“We’re very excited for people to come,” Goetze said. “I am a Vandal, I am a U of I grad, and we’re happy to host the Homecoming tournament.”