Kāpiti’s New Mini Golf Course Opens with Community Focus

A newly opened miniature golf course in Kāpiti is generating excitement with its unique community-oriented model. Named Golf for Good, the course opened on March 2, 2024, in Paraparaumu and is notable for its commitment to reinvesting profits back into local charities.

Designed by Canada’s Himalayas Golf company, Golf for Good features 18 holes crafted to resemble a full-size golf course. The design aims to provide a challenge for adults while remaining enjoyable for children. Unlike traditional miniature golf venues, this course incorporates local culture, with putting tees shaped like the region’s iconic island and signage highlighting local businesses.

The course emerged from a collaborative effort between the Kāpiti Lions Club and the Kāpiti Rotary Club, with a total investment of $800,000 sourced from donations and sponsorships. “Built for the community, by the community,” emphasizes Rex Bullard of the Waikanae Lions, highlighting the project’s grassroots origins.

The concept for Golf for Good was conceived about a year ago, intending to operate as a business while relying on volunteers from various clubs. The arrangement allows the clubs managing the course to earn around $250 for each day’s shift, which can then fund their charitable initiatives.

Community involvement has been exceptional. Each hole is sponsored by local businesses that contributed $10,000 each, while over 100 individuals and companies provided services at reduced or no cost. An auction raised an additional $37,000 to support the project, and arrangements have been made for the course’s waste removal at no expense to the clubs.

Despite concerns about expenses, such as the annual rent of $50 charged by the local council, the course aims to generate significant revenue. The Lions Club-operated course in Palmerston North reportedly brings in about $150,000 annually for community causes, including the Ronald McDonald House and the Hawke’s Bay Cyclone Relief Fund.

Early signs for Golf for Good are positive. The course opened debt-free, and initial bookings have been strong. Membership applications are rolling in, and feedback from early visitors has been overwhelmingly favorable.

One of the organizers, Tony Lester, who is also the chairman of the Waikanae Golf Club, expressed his hopes that children who enjoy mini golf will transition to the full-size course. “I’m hoping the kids will fall in love with the mini golf and come along to us for the real thing,” he said.

Located in Mazengarb Park, Golf for Good represents not just a recreational space but a commitment to community welfare, making it a promising addition to the Kāpiti landscape.