The last time the greens saw action was four years ago at what was then Shawano Sports Park. That changed earlier this month when Dusty and Stephanie Delorme opened Shawano Mini Golf, an 18-hole mini-golf course at 1056 E. Green Bay St.
“The last few years, my business had me traveling a lot in Wisconsin,” Dusty Delorme said. “We have two young kids, so I wanted to find something close to home. Stephanie used to work here when she was in high school, so she had a desire to see it open again.”
Shawano Sports Park, which included mini golf, go-karts and batting cages, closed in 2022. The property was sold to an out-of-state owner, the batting cages were removed and the go-karts were liquidated.
“We looked at this last year, but because the owners of from out of the state, it was hard to connect with them,” Delorme said. “We started looking again in the spring of this year and signed a lease in mid-May.”
After being neglected for four years, the course needed a lot of work to be ready for the summer.
“It was two solid weeks of raking leaves, trimming hundreds of branches and power washing the greens and rocks,” Delorme said. “Every year it was closed, it just got worse. In a few years, it wouldn’t be salvageable.”
Delorme said they didn’t know what to expect for business, which is why they opted to sign a one-year lease.
The course is open from 10 a.m. to dark seven days a week now through Labor Day.
“I started out saying we were open until 10 p.m., but there isn’t much going on in Shawano after 9:30 or so,” he said. “We have lights, but it’s pretty quiet then.”
Rates are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and older, $9.50 for children 3-12 and free for children 2 and younger.
Opening day was June 5, and Delorme said about 150 people played that opening weekend.
“The reaction has been good,” he said. “Families are happy it’s back. A lot of people miss it.”
Shawano Mini Golf can be reached at 715-250-0524.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Dusty Delorme, owner of Shawano Mini Golf, prepares to power up his leaf blower to clear the greens at the 18-hole course. After being shut down the past four years, the business is open again, this time under Delorme’s management. (Greg Mellis | NEW Media)
