With summer fast approaching, many Chico State students will be going off for summer internships, going on vacation or returning to their hometowns. But for those brave souls who decide to sweat it out in the Chico heat, the summer can at times be repetitive.
Work and summer school can easily fill up a schedule, but what is there to do in Chico in your free time?
Well, there is always exploring Upper and Lower Bidwell Park, which is probably Chico’s most entertaining summer activity. But for those upperclassmen who have already done the Bidwell thing countless times, finding summer recreation can be a chore.
One such option for summer fun is the Chico miniature golf course at Funland.
Yes, the miniature golf course. The place where Happy Gilmore found his putting stroke and the only place where a kid has a chance of beating his or her dad at golf.
Before jumping to conclusions and saying miniature golf is a juvenile pastime, take the time to play a game for yourself. Surprisingly, Chico has a quality 18-hole course that is in good shape and is relatively cheap.
The course is highlighted by the rugged 16th hole that consists of a small bridge built over a flowing stream. There are two options on this hole. It can be played by going over the small bridge — the only way to get a hole-in-one — or you can lay up and possibly two-putt for par.
The coolest part of the hole is that if the ball fails to make it over the bridge, the river takes the ball down to the green so there is no risk of losing it.
Butte college student Spencer Murphy spent this past Sunday enjoying the pleasant weather with his girlfriend while playing some miniature golf.
“Playing this course reminded me how much I used to enjoy this stuff,” Murphy said.
The 16th hole seemed to be the toughest hole based on how other people on the course faired that day, Murphy said.
The course also offers a hole at which the golfer must try to hit the ball into a bowl-shaped oval that’s uphill from the tee box. If the ball reaches the oval, it rolls into a hole which leads to a tube through a pile of rocks. Once it rolls through the tube, it exits and heads straight for the hole.
But there’s a risk to playing that strategy because the hill to get to the oval is enormously steep and, if it isn’t hit hard enough, the ball will roll back to the tee box and will result in a penalty stroke. If the ball is hit too hard, it will roll over the oval and into the water hazard. So the smartest play would be to lay up to the left.
“But nobody lays up in mini golf”, Murphy said. “You have to go for the hole-in-one every time. That’s the fun in it.”
In addition to golf, Funland has other gaming options such as an outdoor batting cage.
Funland offers big fun without taking a big toll on your wallet. The mini-golf course is especially affordable at only $5.95 for 18 holes for those 12 years old and over.
“The price is what got me to come out here,” said Chico State sophomore Christian Cooper. “It’s cheaper than going to a movie and you get to be outside.”
The highlight of Cooper’s day was when he ricocheted a ball off a rock and into the hole for a hole-in-one on the 9th hole, much to the dismay of his competition.
“I really just hit it and prayed it didn’t go in the water,” Cooper said. “I definitely got lucky, but that shot was definitely the best of the day for me.”
The course also offers later hours so players can avoid the blistering daytime heat. The course stays open until 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
So when trying to find summer recreation, think about giving Funland’s mini-golf course a try. It’s challenging with many water obstacles and bridges that can drive golfers crazy. If frustrated on the course, just remember the words of Happy Gilmore’s mentor Chubbs Peterson and, “Just tap it in.”
Shane Zanze can be reached at
szanze@theorion.com
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