No windmills or clown mouths at UK-first 'upmarket' mini golf

BRITAIN’S first US-style golfing attraction will open in Wales next week.

- ANDREW FORGRAVE

The 18-hole “mini golf” course has undulating Astroturf holes, white areas for bunkers and can be played at night under floodlights.

The venture, in Llangefni, Anglesey, will have a pizza shack along with a “Halfway House” bar where players can enjoy a tipple or two before resuming their rounds.

Unlike traditional crazy golf courses, it's meant to be a miniature version of the real thing. Windmills and clown mouths are conspicuous by their absence.

The other thing missing is its original name - it was meant to be a homage to PopStroke, a company backed by Tiger Woods that has pioneered upmarket mini golf in the States.

But on hearing the venture's name, lawyers representing the golfing superstar issued a “cease and desist” letter. All usage was to be banned in print and online within 14 days.

Golf professional Matthew Wharton, who owns the Golf Môn complex in Llangefni, initially toyed with the idea of ignoring the ultimatum. “It was a bit of a game, to be honest,” he said.

“I'd always hoped Tiger's lawyers would be in touch, because of the publicity it would generate. But my wife was less keen - she didn’t like the idea of legal action.”