VANCOUVER, B.C. — Endless Surf, innovator in surf pool technology, is celebrating a landmark year recently highlighted by high-profile project announcements and the growing success of its next-generation wave technology. Making global headlines with news from the Gold Coast of Australia to the shores of Brazil and Cabo, Endless Surf is gaining serious momentum heading into 2025 after debuting its first waves in Munich this past summer. With surfing’s popularity surging worldwide, Endless Surf wave pools are proving to be transformative anchor attractions for venues looking to meet the demands of modern visitors.
Palm Valley Gold Coast: A World-Class Surf and Golf Destination
Three-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning recently unveiled Palm Valley, Australia’s first surf and golf resort, located just 7 kilometers from Main Beach at Parkwood International Golf Club. This project, powered by Endless Surf’s cutting-edge wave technology, will be a staple for outdoor and leisure tourism in Australia by blending a championship golf course, a luxury hospitality resort, and a high-performance surf lagoon.
The Endless Surf lagoon at Palm Valley will cater to all skill levels with customizable wave settings, creating an inclusive surf experience for beginners and professionals alike. Set to open in mid-2027, Palm Valley is positioned as a premier training venue for elite surfers preparing for Brisbane 2032, with the potential to even host Olympic events.
“Surfing has given me everything,” said Mick Fanning. “Palm Valley is my way of giving back, creating an inclusive space that showcases the future of surf parks.”
Cabo Real Surf Club: Endless Surf’s Expansion into Mexico
In Los Cabos, Endless Surf is powering the upcoming Cabo Real Surf Club, a destination combining surf and luxury living. The new community marks North America’s first development with a private Endless Surf wave basin, complemented by a wide range of sport and wellness-driven amenities. With Endless Surf’s advanced wave technology at its core, Cabo Real promises to deliver a world-class surf experience while embracing the region’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. With $50m in homesite sales already achieved, construction is well underway, and the community is set to open in 2026.
Brazil Surf Clubs: Two Landmark Destinations
Endless Surf, in partnership with Brasil Surfe Clube (BSC), has announced two groundbreaking surf lifestyle hubs: BSC Costa Verde and BSC at Região dos Lagos. These projects will feature the largest wave pools in the Southern Hemisphere, utilizing Endless Surf’s ES48 technology capable of producing over 750 waves per hour. Scheduled to open in 2026, these clubs will redefine surf culture in Brazil by integrating surfing, wellness, and the arts into vibrant community spaces.
“These projects represent a new era for surfing in Brazil,” said Ricardo Laureano Siqueira, CEO of BSC. “With Endless Surf’s world-class technology, we’re creating destinations that celebrate Brazil’s passion for surfing while strengthening communities.”
Surf Proving Itself as an Anchor for any Venue Type
These recent announcements highlight the versatility of surf parks as anchor attractions across various business models. From Palm Valley’s integration of sport and lifestyle to Cabo Real’s real-estate-driven approach and Brazil’s membership-based community hubs, each venue is capitalizing on surfing’s universal appeal and adaptability to help anchor its specific masterplan. These examples demonstrate how the surf park market is booming and how developers can capitalize this global trend to support nearly any venue type.
Earlier this year, Endless Surf launched its first surf lagoon at O2 SURFTOWN MUC in Germany, which can be categorized as a pure-play surf park. From booked out session calendars to electric events and festivals, SURFTOWN has seen major success. The surf park is exemplifying the maxim “if you build it, they will come” and validating the business case for solely surf-focused destinations.
Endless Surf is also proving its place within the themed entertainment space as well. The company’s second project is now nearing completion at Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia, where an ES lagoon will serve as a major attraction within the Aquarabia water theme park.
Shaping the Future of Surf Parks
As Endless Surf closes out a remarkable year, the company’s momentum is undeniable. From the global debut of its technology in Germany to high-profile projects in Australia, Mexico, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, Endless Surf is well positioned to continue shaping the inland surfing movement worldwide.
Heading into 2025, Endless Surf is poised to expand its global footprint further, with over a dozen additional projects in development. With this strong pipeline of projects, Endless Surf is setting new standards for inland surfing worldwide and helping developers capitalize on the surging global interest in surfing.
ST. LOUIS — Intercard’s global family of customers continues to grow with installations of its cashless technology at leading venues in Australia and Canada.
Village Entertainment’s Action Zone Arcade was recently launched at the popular Warner Bros. Movie World theme park on Australia’s Gold Coast. This 30-game family entertainment center offers a high energy arcade experience boasting Australia’s first Goatz N Ropes and Wizard of Oz Emerald City Edition games.
RécréOFUN, a growing indoor playground chain in Quebec, Canada, recently opened its fourth location in Sherbrooke. It features a 20 game arcade, as do the RécréOFUN centers in Montreal, Quebec City and Trois Rivieres. All of them have switched from tokens to Intercard cashless technology.
ORLANDO — This holiday season, Fun Spot America is bringing the magic of Christmas to life with its HUGE Christmas celebration, inviting families to create cherished memories at its three theme parks—Orlando, Kissimmee, and Atlanta. With dazzling holiday lights, exciting seasonal treats, and free admission for all, Fun Spot America is the perfect destination for holiday fun.
Fun Spot’s parks offer the perfect mix of thrilling rides, family-friendly attractions, and festive cheer. Each location transforms into a winter wonderland featuring breathtaking light displays and special seasonal activities that promise something for everyone. Best of all, true to Fun Spot tradition, admission to the parks is always free!
“This season is all about togetherness and creating lasting memories,” said John Arie, Jr., CEO, Fun Spot America. “At Fun Spot, we’re proud to offer; safe, clean, fun, and affordable holiday experience for all families. A HUGE Christmas isn’t just an event—it’s our way of making the holidays unforgettable for everyone.”
HUGE Holiday Highlights to Enjoy:
- Always Free Admission: Whether you’re here for the festive atmosphere or the thrill of our attractions, your holiday fun starts with no admission fee required.
- Dazzling Trees of Light: Each Fun Spot Park lights up the night with stunning Christmas tree displays, perfect for family photos.
Exclusive “Bites of Light” at Fun Spot Orlando:
- Gator Spot transforms into a winter wonderland of snow each weekend during the holiday season, featuring a spectacular display of lights.
- “Santa Gator Selfie” photo ops with baby gators dressed in seasonal attire.
- Enjoy Unique Seasonal Delights:
- Mistletoe Margarita: A festive blend of cranberry and pomegranate flavors.
- Apple Pie A La Mode Funnel Cake: A warm funnel cake topped with ice cream, caramel-drizzled apple slices, and powdered sugar.
- Santa’s Kicked-Up Chicken, Ribs, and Waffle Fries: A savory holiday twist with maple-infused waffle fries, popcorn chicken, pork spareribs, and Mike’s Hot Honey.
- Festive Ride Nights: Enjoy your favorite rides illuminated by twinkling lights for an unforgettable nighttime experience.
- HUGE New Year’s Eve Fireworks: Ring in 2025 with dazzling fireworks displays at both Florida parks—Orlando and Kissimmee—on New Year’s Eve at midnight.
- Mistletoe Margarita: A festive blend of cranberry and pomegranate flavors.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — “This is so much more than I expected from a Children’s Zoo!”
We have heard the phrase echoed for so long that we’ve grown used to the surprise in a new guest’s voice when they discover that the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is an accredited institution and more than just an ordinary zoo, or a small “petting zoo”. After almost 60 years it’s an exciting time to make a change.
Effective January 1, 2025, the zoo will be known as the Fort Wayne Zoo.
“Adhering to our own high standards, working hard each and every day to exceed the Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation expectations, all while inspiring guests of all ages to care is what makes the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo so much more than just a typical children’s zoo,” states Rick Schuiteman, Zoo Executive Director. “This new name will better reflect who we are and what we do, and our mission won’t change. This name change will also help widen our audience, engage more people in our mission, our conservation efforts, and in our future growth. We are more than a zoo for children, we are a zoo for all.”
Since the early 60’s, the Zoo has gone through a series of name changes and logo changes, originally being called the Franke Park Zoo before shifting to the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. In 1999 – 2004, the zoo was simply called the Children’s Zoo. For the last 20 years, the Zoo has been identified by its iconic zoo letters which will remain.
“The Zoo is a beacon in the Fort Wayne Community, and it was with that mindset that the Zoo’s Board of Directors voted in support of updating the name to the Fort Wayne Zoo,” said Tom Ackmann, President, Board of Directors. “This isn’t a new debate, but a topic that has come up frequently for many years. In October the board voted in support of the name change.”
In 2023, with the support of the Zoo’s Board of Directors, groups of employees at all levels were involved in the creation of a new Strategic Plan to examine our future and set goals. Many voices contributed to solidifying who we are and a renewed vision. Throughout those conversations about our mission and core values, we took a hard look at our name and what it represents. As a result, the Zoo created a new vision: To create future generations of nature
enthusiasts through leadership in animal care, educational experiences, and conservation. We created four main objectives as part of that plan which focus on our love for wildlife, organizational excellence, incredible experiences, and creating a zoo for all. To bring that future to light, we must continue to excel in our field, while being a zoo for all that welcomes all.
We are more than a children’s zoo. We are the Fort Wayne Zoo.
The mission of connecting kids and animals, strengthening families, and inspiring people to care remains our guiding light. We will continue to be leaders in animal care, create unforgettable experiences, be a conservation partner to those at home and around the world, and inspire all who enter through our front gate to join us.
This holiday season, spread festive cheer with LEGOLAND Florida Resort at a special Coca-Cola community activation outside the Park, at the bus loop located between Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida and LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Coca-Cola will bring its iconic holiday truck, decked out in Christmas lights, and even Santa is coming along for the ride! To help Santa and his elves bring joy to kids in need, the community is invited to bring toys for a Toys for Tots donation. For every toy donated, LEGOLAND Florida Resort will match the donation, ensuring even more children receive gifts this holiday season.
To thank our generous guests, those who bring a new, unwrapped toy will receive a FREE kids’ ticket to LEGOLAND Florida for the day (one per toy). Plus, accompanying families can enjoy a special $79 adult ticket offer only on Dec. 15. Don’t forget, a toy must be donated to receive the free kids’ ticket as part of this promotion! Coca-Cola will also be handing out delicious drink samples and other surprises. Best of all, this event is free and open to everyone!
During the event, the festive fun continues inside the Park. Guests will be greeted by a stunning 32-foot-tall LEGO® Christmas tree, crafted from nearly 365,000 LEGO and DUPLO® bricks, seasonal shows, activities, limited-time holiday-inspired food and drink offerings, and exciting new additions like the Elf Extravaganza which features new LEGO® Holiday Elves Frode and Ivy at the all-new Elf Training Academy.
To continue the spirit of giving this holiday season, guests can participate in the Build To Give campaign, part of the LEGO Group’s global initiative to bring joy to children in need. Inside the Build to Give workshop, Park guests can create heart-shaped LEGO creations. For every heart posted on social media (Instagram, Facebook, or X) with #BuildToGive, the LEGO Group will donate a LEGO set to a child in need, spreading holiday cheer worldwide.
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — A lineup of talented performers is set to take the stage during this year’s Winter Music Series, creating unforgettable memories at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa. Sounds of unique and harmonious melodies fill the Smoky Mountain air as event guests enjoy a series of musical performances in an intimate setting.
The 2025 Winter Music Series is a ticketed event open to both resort guests and non-resort guests, providing an extraordinary experience during winter weekends throughout the months of January and March. Each performance begins at 7 p.m.
The event kicks off on Friday, Jan. 24-25 with performances featuring Linda Davis, a Grammy award-winning country star. Her duet with Reba McEntire, “Does He Love You,” reached No. 1 on the Billboard country charts and won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Collaboration. Davis has recorded more than 15 singles and has acquired three Grammy wins in her career.
Michelle Wright takes the stage Jan. 31- Feb. 1 to entertain attendees with her amazing voice and stage presence. Asa Canadian born artist who has won more than 40 major awards, Wright has made a name for herself in the U.S. with multiple Top Ten hits. In addition to her awards, she has sold millions of albums and has graced the stage on six continents.
Aaron Tippin’s undeniable talent takes center stage Feb. 7-8. Tippin’s debut single “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” became a popular anthem for American soldiers fighting in the Gulf War, establishing him as a distinct act tailored for the American working class. His achievements over the years include one platinum album and six gold albums.
The unique sound, range and depth of Gary Morris will take the stage Feb. 14-15. His 15 Top Ten hits paired with his five No. 1 singles have made him one of country music’s biggest stars. Morris is a multi-talented act, bringing experience from Broadway with him on stage.
Ruby Leigh, one of the stars of Season 24 of “The Voice,” will grace the series Feb. 21-22. Her impressive audition onthe show prompted all four judges to fight to get her on their team, and she enthusiastically picked Reba McEntire as her coach. Her all natural and remarkable voice led her to finish as runner-up in her season.
With eight Top Ten hits under his belt, Mark Willis will close out the Winter Music Series from Feb. 28 to March 1. Willis has recorded Gold and Platinum albums, and his song “19 Somethin’” spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Guests can purchase the Winter Music Series room package that includes a standard room at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and admission for two to each evening of music. Winter Music Series tickets are $20 for general admission; $15 for Dollywood Season Passholders and guests of DreamMore Resort and Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort; and $5 for resort guests who are Dollywood Season Passholders.
GOSHEN, N.Y. — LEGOLAND New York Resort built on the spirit of the holiday season with its 2nd Annual LEGO Christmas tree lighting during last weekend’s Holiday Bricktacular, presented by Hallmark Channel. Guests gathered to witness the illumination of the Park’s iconic LEGO Christmas tree, a towering masterpiece constructed from more than 364,000 LEGO DUPLO bricks. The evening featured exclusive tree lighting entertainment, appearances of all the LEGO Holiday Costume Characters and an appearance by special guest Wes Brown, fan favorite Hallmark Channel star and host of the upcoming “Ready, Set, Glow” unscripted series, part of the Countdown to Christmas. Guests can visit the tree and enjoy the event’s other festive activities on select dates through Jan. 4.
‘Tis the Season for Shows
In addition to the LEGO Christmas tree, guests can enjoy holiday shows and activities across the Resort this season. Put your holiday skills to the test during Elf Training Academy with a festive new friend, LEGO® Holiday Elf Frode! Then get into the spirit of the season with Reindeer girl at Holly Hype Dance Party and get swept into winter fun during the frost-filled Festival of Flurries with LEGO® Snowman!
Festive Fun + Merry Meet & Greets Inside Holiday Headquarters
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a visit from some LEGO characters from the North Pole. Guests can find their favorite yuletide friends inside Holiday Headquarters in LEGO® City, including LEGO Santa, *new* Holiday Elf Ivy, Gingerbread Man and Toy Solider. Plus, LEGO Santa’s best elves are helping guests write and send him letters inside the North Pole Postal Service, where you can watch your letter magically mailed to the North Pole right before your eyes!
Gliding Through Icicle Alley
Step into a bricktastic winter wonderland and glide across the all-new glice skating rink in LEGO City! Build your holiday memories as you skate around in true LEGO style. There’s no added fee – skating and skate rentals are included with Park admission!
Build to Give Campaign
For more fun-filled holiday experiences, guests are encouraged to get involved in the Build To Give campaign, a part of the LEGO® Group’s global initiative to bring joy to children in need. At the Park’s Holiday Headquarters, visitors can participate in the Build To Give initiative where they can create their own heart-shaped LEGO creations. For every heart posted on social media (Instagram, Facebook, or X) using hashtag #BuildToGive, the LEGO Group will donate a LEGO set to a child in need. This heartwarming activity gives families the chance to share the spirit of giving while celebrating the season.
Holly Jolly Nights at LEGOLAND Hotel
The popular Sleepover Series is back! Hotel guests will have the opportunity to eat breakfast with LEGO Santa, become master toy makers through holiday themed LEGO build challenges, join in on a holiday dance party, and join in on elf games throughout the night.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Legoland Florida Resort kicked off the holiday season in spectacular fashion with an iconic tree lighting ceremony for its brand-new tree at its annual Holidays at Legoland presented by Hallmark Channel event. Guests gathered to witness the breathtaking illumination of the Park’s Lego Christmas tree, a towering masterpiece constructed from nearly 365,000 Lego Duplo bricks. The evening featured exclusive tree lighting entertainment and appearances by special guests Steven and Mark Erickson, champions of the hit television show “Lego Masters,” who had the honor of flipping a special Lego switch to light the tree.
Legoland Florida Resort kicked off the holiday season in spectacular fashion with an iconic tree lighting ceremony for its brand-new tree at its annual Holidays at Legoland presented by Hallmark Channel event. Guests gathered to witness the breathtaking illumination of the Park’s Lego Christmas tree, a towering masterpiece constructed from nearly 365,000 Lego Duplo bricks. The evening featured exclusive tree lighting entertainment and appearances by special guests Steven and Mark Erickson, champions of the hit television show “Lego Masters,” who had the honor of flipping a special Lego switch to light the tree.
‘Tis the Season for Shows
In addition to the LEGO Christmas tree, guests can find new and returning shows and activities across the Resort during event days. New this year in Fun Town, get ready to put your holiday skills to the test during the Elf Training Academy featuring a new festive friend, LEGO® Holiday Elf Frode! LEGO Reindeer Girl is also getting into the spirit of the season with the new Holly Hype Dance Party! Over in LEGO Kingdoms, get swept away into a winter FUN-derland during the high energy, frost-filled Festival of Flurries with LEGO Snowman! Sing and dance to your favorite tinsel tunes while you await a snowy surprise. Inside Fun Town Theater, stir up more holiday spark and join LEGO Gingerbread Man to solve a delicious dilemma during The Very Merry Mix-up!
Merry Meets with LEGO Characters
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a visit from some LEGO characters from the North Pole. Guests can find another new friend, LEGO Holiday Elf Ivy and LEGO Santa inside Heartlake Hall, featuring a wheelchair accessible sleigh for the perfect family photo. Meet other yuletide friends including LEGO Nutcracker in DUPLO Valley, LEGO Gingerbread Man in Fun Town, and LEGO Snowman in Kingdoms.
Festive Fun
LEGO Santa’s best elves are helping guests write and send him letters inside the North Pole Postal Service, where you can watch your letter magically mailed to the North Pole right before your eyes! Those looking to put their brick building skills to the test can find a variety of activities sprinkled throughout the Park, including Santa’s Toy Build in Fun Town and a competition sleigh build in LEGO Kingdoms. Around every corner, guests can experience a winter wonderland with stilt walkers, special bricktastic décor and lights, and even snow in Florida!
Kids’ New Year’s Eve Celebration
End the year with a bang during the Kids’ New Year’s Eve celebration, happening nightly Dec. 26 – 31. Ring in 2025 with a DJ dance party and a 3D LEGO brick-bursting fireworks show nightly. Plus, only on Dec. 31, help countdown to the new year with the signature “brick drop” near Lake Eloise and special finale at a kid-friendly time!
Build to Give Campaign
For more fun-filled holiday experiences, guests are encouraged to get involved in the Build To Give campaign, a part of the LEGO Group’s global initiative to bring joy to children in need. At the Park’s annual holiday event, visitors can participate in a Build To Give workshop where they can create their own heart-shaped LEGO® creations. For every heart posted on social media (Instagram, Facebook, or X) using #BuildToGive, the LEGO Group will donate a LEGO set to a child in need, spreading holiday cheer worldwide. This heartwarming activity gives families the chance to share the spirit of giving while celebrating the season.
Additionally, during the most giving season of the year, join LEGOLAND Florida Resort on Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a special community Coca-Cola activation at the bus loop located between Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida and LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Coca-Cola will bring its most festive Christmas truck, along with a very special guest—the REAL Santa. To help Santa and his elves spread holiday cheer to children who need it most, the Resort is asking guests to bring toys to benefit Toys for Tots. For every toy donated, LEGOLAND Florida Resort will match the donation, ensuring even more children receive gifts this holiday season. Guests who donate a new, unwrapped toy will have access to free parking and receive a FREE kids’ ticket to LEGOLAND Florida for the day (one per toy). Plus, accompanying families can enjoy a special $79 adult ticket offer via QR code. Coca-Cola will also offer samples of its drinks and more. Best of all, this event is free for the entire community to enjoy.
CARLSBAD, Calif. — Fireworks filled the sky and snow flurried onto the crowd as Hallmark Channel stars Daniella Monet and Lyndsy Fonseca helped LEGO Santa pull the switch to light the family theme park’s 35-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree during the 22nd annual tree lighting ceremony!
At the ceremony, “Move With Kindness Foundation,” founded by “So You Think You Can Dance” star Allison Holker, was gifted a $10,000 donation from LEGOLAND California on behalf of Monet and Fonseca. The Move with Kindness Foundation, a charity honoring Holker’s late husband, tWitch Boss, a former DJ and executive producer of the “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” was founded with a mission to promote love and mental health awareness.
Prior to pulling the switch to light the more than 360,000 LEGO® and DUPLO® brick-built Christmas tree, Monet and Fonseca were presented with a special LEGO® Driving School car ornament as an invitation to return when the Park unveils its new Driving School attractions in 2025. Guests were treated to a look at Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas movies, including Monet and Fonseca’s new original Hallmark Channel movie “Holiday Crashers.”
Monet is best known for her role as Trina on Nickelodeon’s “Victorious” and her starring roles in “Baby Daddy,” and “Cousins for Life.” Fonseca is best known for portraying Colleen Carlton on the CBS soap opera “The Young and the Restless” and Alexandra “Alex” on The CW show “Nikita.” Monet and Fonseca star as two best friends, Bri and Toni, in “Holiday Crashers” as part of this year’s Countdown to Christmas lineup on Hallmark Channel.
The annual tree lighting ceremony is part of the Park’s winter celebration, Holidays at LEGOLAND California Resort. Following the special tree lighting, a stunning fireworks display lit up the sky, marking the start of the Resort’s festive fireworks shows. These will take place every Saturday in December and nightly from Dec. 21 to 30.
This year’s Holidays celebration at LEGOLAND® California Resort features tasty treats, new shows, and for the first time ever, an Elf Extravaganza! Guests can train to become an elf at the new Elf Training Academy, take “elfies” with the all-new LEGO® elf characters, Ivy and Frode, mail letters to LEGO Santa, or master their jolly good dance moves at the new Holly Hype Dance Party on select dates now through Jan.5. Guests can also give back this season by building a LEGO heart inside the new Build to Give Workshop! For every heart that is built and shared with #BuildToGive, the LEGO® Group will donate a set to a child in need of play. All holiday festivities, are included with general Park admission and select annual passes.
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — An 18-hole Modular Advantage Mini Golf course was recently designed and installed by Adventure Golf & Sports (AGS) at the Sherwood Forest Campground in Aitkin, Minnesota. Sherwood Forest is a private & gated RV resort on 400 acres of land with over 800 private campsites laid out in six separate “towns” – London, Derby, Banbury, Cannock Chase, Nottingham and Canterbury, all located on the Northwest side of Mille Lacs Lake, approximately 100 miles north of Minneapolis/St. Paul on U.S. Highway 169. At Sherwood Forest, residents own their own deeded RV lot and are members of an association that owns and operates the campground with year-round access available.
According to Andy Bober, Campground Manager at Sherwood Forest, the new miniature golf course replaced a mini golf course built by association member volunteers over 20+ years ago. “It’s one of those amenities where different generations can enjoy it,” says Bober, “but the old course was in pretty rough shape. It wasn’t built in the best location. They built it with wood on the ground and it ended up rotting and becoming a hazard.”
The new Modular Advantage miniature golf course at Sherwood Forest was built using interlocking, flexible, patented panels made from recycled materials that are also permeable to allow easy water drainage. While the looks and durability of the AGS Modular Advantage system can match that of a concrete course, the permeability makes the course eco-friendly and ready for play soon after a rain shower since there is no pooling of water that is common with non-porous surfaces like wood or concrete. The interlocking panel construction also avoids the freeze-thaw surface-cracking cycle that concrete courses often experience in cold climates. Bober says the most appealing features of the Modular Advantage Course were its ability to handle the seasonality of their location, its low maintenance and ease of construction and implementation.
Nine of the 18 mini-golf holes at Sherwood Forest are ADA compliant while the other nine holes feature more contours, sloping and different elevation levels. Faux sand traps are also used throughout the course to make it more challenging with a par-4 and several par-3 holes.
The mini-golf course joins a number of other amenities Sherwood Forest provides its residents, including a half-sized basketball court, two pickleball courts, bocce ball, horseshoe pit, a pavilion often used for monthly dances during camping season, and four pools (main pool, sports pool, wading pool and whirlpool).
Before contracting with AGS, Sherwood Forest had reviewed some local businesses in the area and also thought about building their own mini golf course again. However, Bober says the complexities of mini-golf course design and construction soon encouraged them to engage AGS, especially since the AGS Modular Advantage Course could be designed and installed quickly and easily. Says Bober, “And it appeared to be a good quality product and the membership appears to be enjoying it. They’re having fun with it. I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback regarding it.
“They (AGS) checked all the boxes. They were very easy to work with from the design on. It was pretty seamless. If we had a question, the AGS sales associate answered it in a hurry.
When it came to the installation of it, the crew was fantastic.
“We changed the whole location of where the golf course had been before. We moved it from under trees to an open grass area. We put it in a wetter area, so we built up the land a little bit. And we had our challenges, but with AGS and our maintenance team working together, we got it done…Everybody we worked with was a pleasure to work with. The product appears to be holding up as they said it would, but their service to get it from beginning to end was fantastic.”
Most importantly, Bober says the membership “…enjoys it. It’s a challenging, fun course.”
Adventure Golf & Sports (AGS) is a global leader in the design and installation of fun, interactive, cost-effective entertainment attractions like Miniature Golf, Pickleball, Shuffleboard, Bocce Ball, Duck Pin Bowling and other recreational courts. Besides traditional, permanent concrete installations, AGS has long term experience installing interlocking panel system versions like the environmentally-friendly Modular Advantage® Mini Golf system and Bunkers & Bumps™ for a variety of indoor and outdoor applications for campgrounds, RV parks, family entertainment centers, amusement parks, retail centers, hotels and resorts, as well as designing and installing on rooftops, piers and cruise ship decks.
