Paul Leavy/The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — Ready, set, golf! Miniature golf is an all-time favorite, and now it has finally made its way to the Valdosta area.

Jungle Jym’s Family Fun Center, located at 3124 N. Oak St., offers a skating rink, a soft play jungle area, arcade games, and now Valdosta’s only miniature golf course. The golf course includes 18 holes, two waterfalls, two ponds with water jets, and multi-level holes.

“Lately, everyone’s business has slowed a little, but our miniature golf course has picked things back up a bit,” said owner Ben Schnake. “The first week did relatively well. People were even playing in 30-degree weather. It’s exciting to see how things are going to pick back up in the warmer months.”

Jungle Jym’s Family Fun Center’s hours consist of skating on the weekends, with arcades, soft play and miniature golf offered throughout the week.

“Miniature golf allows us to be open all week, along with our brand new game room,” Schnake said.

At first glance, drivers will only see nine holes, but when inside, the other nine are hidden behind the waterfall located behind the building.

“We’ve done several years of research in planning for this course. The first issue was the length of time it took to receive a permit,” said Schnake. “I almost gave up but realized that after driving by the building daily, the batting cage behind the building wouldn’t be nearly as appealing as the golf course. So, we pushed and pushed for the course and finally got the go-ahead.”

“This has been something that’s been important since the closing of the course on Gornto street,” said Suzanne Barnett of Valdosta State University’s Small Business Development Center. “For the last 10 years, at least two to three people have approached me about opening up a facility that includes a golf course. It wasn’t that there was no demand, there was just no financing.”

The landscaping consists of hills, waterfalls, and over 900 plants. Landscaping was done by Max Ward, who has over 25 years of experience in areas like Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Fla.

“It took about two months to get everything finished, including the landscaping, but the idea was in the works since I’ve owned this place in 2005,” said Schnake.

Jungle Jym’s Family Fun Center hosts birthday parties and social gatherings for city residents and college students. Music is played outside the center for golfers to enjoy.

“Instead of bowling or just going to the mall, Valdosta residents have another option, miniature golf,” said Schnake.

The center will be featured on the Fun Channel in the near future as part of a “New Business Special” television show.

To learn more about Jungle Jym’s Family Fun Center, please call the information hotline at (229) 247-1271 or (229) 244-3302 to speak to a staff member.