Mini golf course coming to Tega Cay

Tega Cay is getting another 18-hole course.

It’ll just be a little smaller this time.

The Scuderi family plans to open Mr. Putty’s Fun Park in Stonecrest this May. The 1.5-acre site at 2333 Dam Road sits between the Wal-Mart and a gas station, with parking on-site and shared parking with the retailer. Plans include a variety of games and activities for ages preschool and up.

“It’s an 18-hole championship mini golf experience,” said owner Chris Scuderi. “It will include waterfalls, raging rivers, fountains, unique features and lush landscaping.”

Scuderi and wife, Carol, live in Fort Mill. Since they arrived five years ago, they’ve consistently heard how few affordable activities there are for families with young children.

“It’s not just a Tega Cay issue,” Scuderi said. “It’s a Fort Mill issue, too.”

So they’re making a family business out of family fun. Son Robert Casatelli will be the general manager. The course will be American Disabilities Act compliant, and will be open around local school schedules. The site will have a snack stand partnering with at least one local restaurant for parties.

An 11,000-square-foot adventure park will include several “adventure stations,” some initially and others to be added. There will be an eight-person agility game, a junior version, a trampoline basketball game, water balloon slingshot and coconut climber.

Games should appeal to guests as young as 3. Scuderi said that decision was intentional.

“You’re adventure only lasts as long as the youngest child,” he said.

The Scuderis hope to open May 7. The anticipate between 60,000 and 75,000 people to visit Mr. Putty’s in the first year.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Scuderi said of the venture, “but it’s a lot of work.”

There are a handful of mini golf locations in the greater Charlotte area. There are many in coastal, tourist areas in both Carolinas. Rock Hill had a Putt-Putt course on Celanese Road more than a decade ago, replaced by a Starbucks. The nearest mini golf facilities to Mr. Putty’s are in Belmont, N.C. and Pineville, N.C.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Mini golf course coming to Tega Cay."