New Mini Golf Course Tees Up Major Conservation Efforts
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) – South Florida Science Center and Aquarium leadership, board members, hole sponsors, project developers and community VIPs were on hand for an inaugural round of play at the Science Center’s Conservation Course, a new miniature golf course now open to guests.
Gary Nicklaus and Jim Fazio, sons of two local icons in the golf community, collaborated on the custom-designed course – a first for the typical competitors. Fazio was in attendance to officially open the course, leading attendees in a ceremonial opening round. Jim Walton of Southwest Greens was responsible for course construction.
According to SFSCA CEO Lew Crampton, the course was developed as a green space to provide recreational and environmental benefits to visitors while educating people about Florida’s native habitats. Each hole is named for a plant or animal found in the Everglades and has signage with educational language. The course was designed with science in mind, with a goal toward fostering interest in golf and conservation initiatives. “It’s a golf course laid out in a huge butterfly garden,” Crampton said.
“This is an important milestone for the Science Center,” Crampton said. “This course represents our ever-expanding programming that is geared toward inspiring the community to keep exploring. This is a one-of-a-kind, ‘destination’ course with no windmills or clown’s mouths to hit through. It’s a 100%, real golf layout designed by local legends and we are very proud of the results and grateful to our supporters who helps us bring these greens to life!”
Science Center educators will host putting clinics and tournaments and use the course layout to teach elementary principles of force, motion and angles. Students will learn how the course’s features, such as the use of native and pest-resistant plants, protect the environment all while learning the camaraderie of the sport. Players of all ages can enjoy the course and its babbling brooks, butterfly gardens and lush landscaping.
According to Crampton, there are even plans for the course to host the Conservation Cup putting tournament this spring with cash prizes for professionals and silver cups for amateur winners.
Now open for play during normal museum hours, rain or shine, the Conservation Course tickets are $5 for members and $7 for non-members. Student groups already attending the Science Center for another program will be charged a $2 fee to play. Members receive a complimentary allotment of passes depending on membership level.
The mission of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is to “open every mind to science” and the indoor/outdoor venue features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall, Pre-K focused “Discovery Center” and an interactive Everglades exhibit.
For more information about the Conservation Course or other Science Center programming, please call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @SFScienceCenter.