Big Driver Range, Mini Golf Course to Re-Open in Washington Later This Week

The Big Driver driving range and mini golf course will open this Friday or Saturday, according to Parks Director Darren Dunkle.

Dunkle told The Missourian Tuesday morning that he is optimistic that the range will open Friday, but said he would have a better idea by the end of Tuesday.

Several last-minute repairs are being made prior to the opening.

“We are repairing some of the artificial turf on the putting greens on the mini golf course as well as repairing some of the mortaring in the bricks and fixing some broken concrete,” Dunkle said. “Those are the main items we’re trying to get repaired.”

The parks department officially took over operations of the facility after the Washington City Council May 7 approved a lease agreement between the city and L.B. Eckelkamp Jr. and Bonnie J. Eckelkamp, who own the land that Big Driver sits on.

The lease agreement calls for the city to pay the Eckelkamps $1 per year. The lease can be renewed on a year-by-year basis.

Once open, hours at Big Driver will be from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

At the end of October, park officials will look at changing hours of operation during the winter months.

Big Driver is located off of Grand Avenue near Lions Lake.