WEST AMWELL: Pine Creek facility to close after 17 years

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   WEST AMWELL — Pine Creek Miniature Golf, nestled in a rural setting off Route 31 in West Amwell, has entertained thousands during its 17 years in business, but plans to close its doors for the final time on Oct. 31.
   Until then, the facility will remain open for daytime and evening miniature golf outings although shortened hours may occur as fall weather returns, and the days grow shorter, Director of Marketing Polly Anderson said.
   The closing is the result of several factors.
   Like other businesses, the turbulent economy has taken its toll on Pine Creek, Ms. Anderson said, although Pine Creek has had “a lot of good years, too.”
   Bookings by corporate clients have fallen off in recent years, Ms. Anderson said.
   ”Major corporations returned four or five years in a row for their company picnics,” she said. “They were really sad because their people really enjoyed coming” to Pine Creek’s two miniature golf courses.
   In addition to corporate clients, the facility also offered bookings for children’s parties and weddings in a banquet facility. But weddings weren’t a primary use because the facility declined to close to the public for any event, Ms. Anderson said. Some brides, wanting something different, didn’t mind.
   Another reason for Pine Creek’s closing is President Terry Lynam’s desire to retire. He plans to sell the 28-acre property soon, Ms. Anderson said. The buyer would determine the site’s future use, which could be much different from the golf course. The zoning there is highway commercial.
   ”The zoning changed a few years ago,” Ms. Anderson said. “Because it has new flexibility in zoning, it would be available for other uses.”
   Unlike other miniature golf courses, Pine Creek did not require golfers to maneuver the ball past the blades of a miniature rotating windmill or into the wide-open mouth of a clown face. Instead golfers, both young and old, experienced an outdoor setting that has been described by some as lush and tranquil.
   Each of Pine Creek’s two courses sits on 6 acres. There is room for wildlife, attracted by the landscaped vegetation and the water of fountains and a waterfall. There are stone paths, bridges and gazebos.
   Mr. Lynam and his partner, Reg Forgie, opened Pine Creek in July 1993. The idea for the enterprise came to them after they visited the Village Greens Miniature Golf Course in Strasburg, Pa. With the help of Village Greens founder and designer Oscar Petters, they began building Pine Creek.
   The Beacon was unsuccessful in reaching Mr. Lynam for comment.