CHARDON, Ohio — In a time when it seems the cost of practically everything’s gone up, there’s still at least one family-friendly activity that doesn’t have to break the bank.
Emily and Jake Kouwe picked up putting when their 2-year-old twins were on the way.
“Took it up as a new hobby because we couldn’t do a lot of the hobbies that we would always do,” Emily said. “And so, we just kept coming back and saw so much potential in it.”
That’s potential they’re hoping to fulfill after purchasing Chip’s Clubhouse this year.
“Putt putt’s kinda just silly and fun, and you can take it seriously or not, and you can all play together as a family,” Emily said.
They want to share the joy with others as an affordable activity.
“That’s one of the things that excites me the most about this place,” Jake said. “This specific year.”
He said they haven’t raised the cost of a round of golf and offer multiple special prices, even in the face of inflation.
“It’s wonderful to get them outside, and it’s good to have our grandchildren with us,” Ann Kinser said.
She and her husband Don treated their grandkids Aiden and Brynn to a round of mini golf for some quality time.
As the Kinsers finished up their round, the Kouwes kept chipping away at the course.
The couple is used to playing together. A wall inside Chip’s Clubhouse is a tribute to their time performing with the Chardon Polka Band.
Jake said he’s happy to continue entertaining people in a new way.
“You’re being a part of these happy memories that families are building, and you’re facilitating this place where they can have those moments and those memories,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The Kouwes said they have five different sizes of putting clubs available for mini-golfers and their course is accessible to people with disabilities. They also have an ADA putter.
