TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
You'll Putt Around The Jungle
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Published: March 27, 2008
PORT RICHEY - Break out the pith helmets: A family-style "African adventure" is coming to town.
Drivers along U.S. 19 may have noticed a construction site where, instead of concrete blocks and steel beams, earthen mounds and log towers have been rising. They are components of the newest Congo River Golf, set to open in May, north of Jasmine Boulevard near Gulf View Square mall.
Started in 1987, the chain currently operates six miniature golf courses in Florida: two in Orlando and one each in Daytona Beach, Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee and Clearwater.
"We looked around and realized Pasco County was a growing area; that's why we wanted to go in there," said Tyson Vozza, vice president of development for Congo River Golf & Exploration Co.
With another facility on U.S. 19 in Clearwater, area residents may be familiar with Congo River Golf. Vozza said that as the new course goes up, the eagerness of prospective patrons has been encouraging.
For those who are unfamiliar, Congo River Golf is designed along an African exploration theme, with waterfalls, caves, grottos, a "crashed" airplane, rope bridges and even one hole aboard a semi-wrecked "boat." Along the way, signposts refer to an imaginary Stanley and Livingston trek through territory barely encountered by civilized man, all done in a theme-park type tone.
At the Clearwater Congo River, golfers can easily be distracted by a big - and real - caged lizard watching from the edge of the first hole.
Although the Congo courses all follow the same theme and have many similar features, they're configured differently, Vozza said, so even those who've played in Clearwater many times will find different twists at the Port Richey course.
Along with miniature golf, the center will have a video game arcade and facilities that can be reserved for parties.
And like the other Congo River attractions, Port Richey's will have one hazard that sets it apart from other miniature golf courses. Instead of aiming for a clown's mouth or avoiding moving windmill blades, players can shoot for an alligator's mouth - they'll be real, too - after they finish putting around.
For a small fee, guests will be able to use stringed bamboo poles to lower pieces of chicken into a pit for juvenile gators to snap at.
"It's a fun experience," Vozza said. "Most people don't get too many chances to feed an alligator."
All Congo River Golf locations in Florida are taking part in a yearlong 20th anniversary celebration during which more than $100,000 total in cash and prizes, including guest passes, will be awarded.
For information, visit www.congoriver.com. To view more local photos, go to suncoastnews.com, and type in the keyword "Congo River" in the light blue search bar near the top.
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