Organizers hope downtown mini-golf tour is good fore business

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/09/2019 (2499 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeggers will be teeing off downtown for the next few weeks and — best of all — no previous golf skill is necessary.

Mini Peg Golf, a type of mini golf course reminiscent of a large Plinko game using golf balls instead of marbles, has been created by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and the Mart Design Company.

Nine golf holes, made of wood and about the size of a pinball machine without legs, have been set up outside nine participating businesses across several blocks of the downtown.

The games are expected to stay outside until the snow flies.

Kate Fenske, CEO of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, said Thursday they are always looking for ways to attract people downtown and, once they are there, to give them something different to do.

“We really wanted to help people explore downtown and have some fun this fall,” Fenske said.

“You can start in any order you want. You can play all day or play all nine over the next few weeks. Until the season changes, we’re hoping to have it out as long as we can.”

Participating businesses, which have the holes outside their doors on the sidewalk, are Capital Grill and Bar, The Fyxx Espresso Bar, Best Western Plus Downtown Winnipeg, East India Company Pub and Eatery, Tavern United, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Alt Hotel Winnipeg, Second Cup and the Holiday Inn and Suites Winnipeg Downtown.

“I’m excited to bring a little bit of fun and whimsy to downtown Winnipeg,” Lucas Pauls, owner of Mart Design Company, said shortly after “launching” a golf ball and missing the hole.

“They are all different. A lot of the obstructions are similar, but they’re different. And it’s the opposite of golf — here you’re trying to get a higher score.”

To play, Winnipeggers can go to each of the participating businesses to get a scorecard, map and pencil. The golf balls are free if a purchase is made at the business or $1 on their own. Proceeds go to the business where participants play.

Fenske said the game relies only on “gravity and movement,” with users rolling the ball down the game’s slope, eliminating the need for a golf club. She said participants completing all nine holes, and turning in their completed score cards with stickers from each business verifying they played, have a chance of winning prizes including a free night at a hotel or dinner.

Players can also pick up a free golf ball if they visit the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ information tent at this weekend’s ManyFest, which starts Friday.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca