Miniature golf locale sells fun and family values

Miniature golf locale sells fun and family values

Written by Michelle Davis Wednesday, 07 June 2006

As a teenager, Joe Schaefer always thought that miniature golf was a great place to take a date.

“Growing up I used to take all of my dates to play,” Joe said. “You can tell a lot about a girl when you play miniature golf - whether or not she is competitive or too competitive; if she gets frustrated or knows how to have fun with the game.”

Impressions are important, and Putt’n Funn Zone leaves one with a feeling of a perfect place to bring the family. It is an entertainment venue focused on family values. Foul language is not tolerated, video games are non-violent and alcohol is not served nor allowed on the premises.

There is no entry fee, no pressure on its customers to purchase extravagant packages and no surprise service charges for group events.

“People like to come here because we know our customers, and we have an intimate family feel,” said Gisele, Joe’s wife. “You don’t have to worry about losing a child, and there is something for everyone.”

Gisele is a member of the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce and Partners of Education.

For the past two years during prom season, she worked with the Round Rock Police Department and Round Rock High School to help students think twice about drinking and driving. Seniors wore blurred vision goggles while driving the Putt’n Funn go-karts.

“If we as parents think that kids aren’t going to drink, then that’s just not realistic. Kids are going to make mistakes, but it’s not worth losing their lives,” Gisele said. “Our goal is to make this really successful and get more schools involved.”

Joe and Gisele moved to Round Rock in 1991, for a project with Teco Westinghouse.

After the project ended, they purchased a Putt Putt Miniature Golf franchise in 1995.

They began with an arcade, miniature golf course and batting cages, but it has grown to include a laser tag arena, monkey bounce, water wars, go-karts and paintball. They became independent in 2003, and renamed their business Putt’n Funn Zone.

“We didn’t have any desire to go back to corporate America and back in 1995 there was nothing for family entertainment except Celebration Station which was way south,” Gisele said.

“ ‘We Sell Funn,’ that’s our slogan, but it really is fun to hear kids say how much fun they’re having, and to see kids laugh and play, as well as watching adults have a good time.”

Putt 'N Funn, 301 Chisholm Trail, Round Rock, TX 78681, 512-255-3866