For the first time ever, a major/minor league ballpark will convert into a putt putt course. And it’s happening tonight in Toledo!
Before the Fifth Third Field temporarily becomes an outdoor hockey rink for the Walleye Winterfest in late December, the field will convert to an 18 hole miniature putt putt course. But this is not your typical putt through a windmill putt putt course; this one will be equipped with sandtraps, doglegs and much more.
“It is definitely a unique opportunity for the community to be able to come out and play putt putt out on a baseball field,” said Andi Roman, communications director at The Toledo Mud Hens. “We’re always looking to present new events and opportunities here at Fifth Third and at the Huntington Center.”
Presented by Hall of Framers and Meyer Hill Lynch, The Links will be open to the public Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28. Tee times of five-minute intervals start Thursday and Friday from 6pm to 10pm, Saturday from 10am to 3:30pm and 6:30pm to 10pm, and Sunday from 2pm to 8pm. Walk-ins are welcome.
Each round costs $15, with proceeds benefiting four local charities: Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio, The Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio and Helping Hens.
Tonight, a meet and greet will be held at the Birdcage Bar & Grill behind home plate from 7pm to 10pm, including a chance to meet local celebrities, dinner and a sports auction.
Mad Scientist
Although putters are the only golf club you’ll need, the Links will have the feel of a real golf course tournament. Players will be given scorecards with footage (rather than yardage), approach tee boxes (with baseball markers in lieu of golf ball markers) and putt down fairways two rows width of the mower cutting lines while avoiding roughs and fringes. There might even be a chance to score a hole-in-one on a par 3.
“Everybody’s going to be able to come out and have a fun time with it, whether you’re a golfer or not,” said Jake Tyler, sports turf manager at the Toledo Mud Hens.
“I always thought it would be neat just to do something a little bit different,” said Tyler, who after coming up with the idea, searched for a natural grass to see what other ballpark fields have used and discovered that this has never been done before.
Winner of the Triple-A level in the annual Sports Turf Managers of the Year Awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007, Tyler has been using his innate skills and passion for ground management to make the Fifth Third field the hot spot of Toledo for ten seasons.
“I just love taking care of a baseball field, I think it’s fun,” said Tyler.
Tyler and his grounds crew will be hard at work for approximately two to three weeks to prep the course. The course will incorporate the entire field, with the first hole tees off before the rubber and the 18th hole finishing on the pitcher’s mound.
To book your tee time, learn more sponsorship opportunities and inquire about VIP access for the celebrity meet and greet, call the Mud Hens Box Office at (419) 725-4367. For more information about The Links, visit online at https://ht.ly/zVXNu.
