Mini-golf course opens at Channahon Lanes

CHANNAHON – The weekend is going to be a special occasion for the owners and workers at Channahon Lanes at 25306 W. Eames St.

Not only are the owners celebrating 20 years at the bowling alley, but the business is also hosting a grand opening for its new miniature golf course.

“It seemed a good fit for another family activity,” co-owner Tom Doud said.

The development of the mini-golf course originally began about 2008, with the first idea to have mini-golf at the location.

However, the economic downturn put those plans on hold for a few years. When the came back, it still took a few years of research, Doud said, including deciding what kind of course they wanted.

Options included a retro look, the kind with clowns and windmills and such. Doud said they instead opted for a more modern look, with gravel sides and the challenge in the slopes and hills of each hole. One includes a water hazard.

They thought choosing that style of course will give it a longer lifespan.

After two years of research and debate, they broke ground on May 30 of last year. By Aug. 1, people were playing on the course.

“It went much faster than I ever thought,” Doud said.

The construction required raising the area up to 9 or 10 feet above the ground. Although the course as designed by a firm in New Jersey, Doud said the business made a conscious effort to hire local contractors for the construction work.

As a sign of appreciation, they had a night to come play the course with friends and family before the grand opening.

The opening weekend will hold a number of activities, including a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. Friday, and
$5 rounds of golf all weekend. Fired Up Chicago food truck will be there Friday and Sunday and Taco Burrito King on Saturday.

Drawing prizes include free bowling league fees and weekly gold passes.

Not to leave bowling out of the celebrations, Channahon Lanes is taking its bowling, pop and show rental prices back to where they were at their 1998 grand opening.

The feedback from those that have played the course already?

“Everbody likes it,” Doud said.