| It’s crazy, but is it golf? |
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Often a game associated with class, golf is now gaining popularity among youngsters at Village Markets’ crazy golf, who are taking to the game as regulars, even as the number of adults playing the mini-golf falls. Francis Ogada, assistant recreational manager at Village Market, says more youths are now playing golf at the mini golf course, started in 1999, but now with a new green, after it was recarpeted two years ago, giving the putters a chance to do their putting on a smooth green amidst a flowing artificial river and beautiful flowers and plants. Some 60 golfers now use the course daily, and although Francis says this number has fallen since they moved to close the course at 6.30pm each day instead of at 8pm, more youngsters are now playing the game than before. It is the number of adults that has reduced. Also known as mini golf, miniature golf, mini-putt, adventure golf or goofy golf, crazy golf is a miniature version of golf, covering a relatively small area and mostly involving ‘the putting’ part of the sport where you play a stroke with the putter(club), without letting the ball leave the ground. Unlike the real golf sport, where one needs different types of clubs for striking the ball in different surfaces – which are carried in a golf bag and pulled by a caddie - the crazy golf requires just one putter and the golf ball, which are both supplied by the course. The golf balls for crazy golf are also smaller than for the full game. The origin of golf is not exactly clear as various forms of the sport were played in England, Rome and even China from early history, but the modern form of golf is believed to have evolved from a game played in Scotland during the 15th Century, where ‘golfers’ would hit a pebble instead of a ball around the sand dunes using a stick or club. The game evolved to the golf as it recognized today after 1750, with the first standardized rules written by Edinburgh golfers in 1774. In Kenya, golf has gained popularity especially among the elite, with 40 golf clubs with 18 hole golf courses already established. However, just as for mini golf, the aim of the game is to put the golf ball into the small hole with the fewest swings of the putter, a notion easier said than done; with this reporter ahieveing six strikes getting the ball into the hole. The more strikes you make before you pot the ball, the poorer at the game you are. Also known as Putto Mania, the mini golf at the Village Market is an 18 hole golf course, with all the 18 holes uniquely designed with different challenges and obstacles on each hole. Beautiful flowers and ridges separate the eighteen holes from each other, giving the golf course a natural look .Obstacle on the holes include artificial tributaries that are currently without water, stones, and tunnels that can be confused for with the cups where you are supposed to get the ball in, all making the game more challenging and exciting. The crazy golf has designed score cards that allow a maximum of four golfers to play together. Each golfer is allowed a maximum of six strokes on each hole, and the more one strikes the more points one get on the score card. However, one can play the crazy golf alone too. Davis, an attendant at the crazy golf says there are two golfers who do play the game alone, almost every day. ‘One plays against himself with two balls of different colors and actually ‘talks’ to the balls, while the other plays the right hand against the left hand!’ he said . Though the Village Market has previously hosted schools such as ISK and Rift Valley Academy for competitions, golf is usually considered a leisure activity rather than a sport, mostly attracting families wishing to have a team activity together. Apart from being a perfect form of exercise, golf is ‘a very mind relaxing game’ according to Davis, who also plays the game. The game is suitable for all, including even young kids and there are no skills required, so long as you can putt the ball. There is a ‘practice hole’ before you get to the course, where first timers are shown the rules of the game by an attendant. ‘It’s a game for everyone so long as one can walk,’ said Francis For the very young, there are shorter, lighter plastic putters for them to use. The balls come in different colors so that golfers playing each other can distinguish their own ball. The crazy golf is open everyday from 9.3oam to 630pm Charges are Sh150 for adults and Sh100 for kids on week days; and Sh200 for adults and Sh150 for kids on weekends Written by Rose Muragu for African Laughter. |
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inform Kenya Kidz that the Putt-o-Mania Minigolf Staff can't wait to transform
them into kings of their own world during their next visit @ The Village
Market.Kidz please ask for Francis or Davis any time you wish to golf and get
tips on how to become a Village Market King Club Member 2010...Direct Contacts:
Ogada Francis
email:recreation@villagemarket-kenya.com and book your round of golf, who
knows! You might be the King we are looking 4.Cheers!