Enchanted Woods: Quadra Island Miniature Golf

Scott McCartney — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 04:51:21 +0000

A modern, West Coast style miniature golf. Enchanted Woods Quadra Island Miniature Golf immerses itself in a forest grove nestled below the clubhouse, adjacent the first tee.

With the Island population at around 2400 people this project was not an easy investment decision but, the goal for the owners of Quadra Island Golf Club was to bring the non-golfer out to the course. 1. For the miniature golf experience itself 2. To increase food and beverage revenues and, 3. To introduce non-golfers and kids to the larger game. As golfers we all recall our first memory of the game…. Here, I bring the golfer from the 9th hole over to the 10th with a long, natural walk toward the first tee of the larger golf course. I envisioned an AHA moment when a young kid sees and hears the crack of a drive down the first hole. Perhaps that gets them to the driving range? On to the course? My personal introduction to the game came in much the same way.

This project was a total joy from start to finish. From exploring potential locations on-site right through to the last piece of turf to be installed, I enjoyed every minute. Below is a list of contributions that Golf Park Co. made to the project:

1. Consultation

a. Project Concept

b. Cost/Budget Analysis

c. Location Analysis

2. Site Mapping

a. Surveying/Elevations

b. Measurements

c. Course Routing

d. Feature Identification

e. Theme Development

f. Conceptual Design Strategies

3. Design

4. Project Costing

5. Land Preparation

a. Tree clearing

b. Drainage

c.. Design Alterations

6. Earthwork

a. Soil removal

b. Base construction

c. Contouring

d. Boulder/Feature Placement

7. Concrete Work

a. Forming

b. Placement

c. Advisement on finishing

8. Supply and Installation of synthetic turf surfaces

9. Supply of Miniature Golf Putters and Balls

10. Landscaping consultation and management

11. Brand, theme and marketing creation

a. Signage

b. Scorecards

c. Storyboards

d. Rack Cards

e. Theme

12. Community Promotions (hotels, resorts, campgrounds, etc…)

13. Maintenance Plan Development

14. Operational Consulting

The Ownership group were a total pleasure to work with, as was Chad Doolittle from Quadra Landscape. All parties involved sought to create something special that the Island could enjoy for decades to come. With permission from the Ownership group, I snagged a few of their comments/testimonials from email exchanges along the way and have posted them below:

“We are thrilled to share our experience working with Scott McCartney and The Golf Park Company who designed and installed our miniature golf course. From the initial consultation to the final touches, their professionalism and creativity were evident in every step. They took our vision and elevated it, creating a fun and engaging course that has become a highlight for our golf course members and visitors. The attention to detail in the design and construction, combined with the high-quality materials used, ensures durability and a visually appealing experience. We couldn’t be happier with the results and highly recommend their services to anyone looking to create a memorable miniature golf attraction.”

– Official Testimonial

“The Island was crying for this.”

– Local Resident

“Overall, it was a great year for us, ENCHANTED WOODS led the way with 7000 paying golfers so far. This greatly exceeded our expectations and it was so gratifying to see how incredibly well received it was by members, Quadra residents, their guests and the visiting tourists. We had the kindergarten class, two grade school classes, several company functions and we even incorporated it into our major tournament renamed the the “Dual Challenge where teams played 18 holes of golf and 18 holes of mini golf. The kids just loved it but it was the seniors that contributed the most. They were so appreciative that it was there and there were many repeat customers. It completely changed the dynamics of the golf course, there was always lots of people around and just a great place to be. So once again, we just have to express how much we appreciate what you created for us, it is an absolute gem.”

– Leslie Rombough

With each course that I design, I work to bring an external element into the course that you wouldn’t normally see; something that distracts from the miniature golf experience and gives a moment of wonder and reflection to the golfer. In this instance I discovered local driftwood artist Alex Whitcomb of Drifted Creations. He had a few pieces displayed at the hotel where I was staying and I knew immediately that I had to implement these pieces into the course. With total support from the late Bill Pirie we implemented 4 unique pieces that led to the theme of the course and the name of Enchanted Woods.

You’ll have to visit the course of you would like to read the storyboards and experience the “adventure” of Enchanted Woods but, I will give you a peak of these fascinating pieces by the talented Alex Whitcomb.

This Blog Post and the project itself are dedicated to the late Bill Pirie who was the majority owner of Quadra Island Golf Club. Bill had the courage to listen to his instincts and invest in an idea that would open the game of golf up to everyone on Quadra Island – to make everyone on the Island a part of the same great golf community. Bill passed shortly after the miniature golf course opened. He assisted the whole way through and was able to see a few successful weekends in that first month the course was open. My hope is that the course paid for itself the first time he listened to the gut bursting laughter from a few of its patrons.

Thank you, Bill for your vision and courage. It was honour to work with you, Sir.

Rest in Peace.

A special thanks goes to a member of the ownership group, Les “Ronnie” Rombough who was my main contact, motivator, budget keeper and co-visionary on the project. Battling hip surgery, Ronnie put 100% of himself into this project, thinking everything through to the nth degree so that we might achieve the best possible outcome – and I think we did. The walk from 9 to 10 I have named “Ronnies Walk” where it is my hope that one day we see a statue, made of driftwood or not, of Ronnie leaning on his walking stick putter and telling the kids to enjoy the back nine!

Another special thanks goes to Chad Doolittle who’s passion for perfection matched my own. Without Chad’s skills and expertise the project would not have been what it is today. Thank you, Chad for caring so damn much. And thank you for getting me out of my comfort zone to include a few more quirks for the kids! I have worked with hundreds of landscapers through the years and you are without a doubt one of the very best.

To anyone reading, please do yourself a favour and visit this beautiful island. The people, the nature, and the golf course will warm your heart and set your soul right.

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Enchanted Woods: Quadra Island Miniature Golf