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It’s uncanny how sometimes the best ideas can arise just figuring out how to make something work.  

When a putt-putt golf hole that Travis Petschl was developing presented an elevation problem, the local mini-golf owner struggled to reduce the angle of the ramp AND elongate the hole itself.  Suddenly, it occurred to him that if he could get the physics correct, he might have a Guiness Book World Record in sight, for longest Miniature Golf Course Hole. 

And, this is exactly what happened at Volcano Valley Adventure Golf at Green Lagoon on Highway 8, Chisago City.

The international Guinness Book and World Mini-golf Sport Federation have certified the par-13 hole.  The federation sent a person to “survey” and a witness to view the physical hole.

The official Guinness Book “welcome” acknowledgment was delivered August 4.  Travis says this was 11 months from when he applied for consideration.  

“Long and complicated” is how he describes the experience verifying the record.

The longest mini-golf hole before Volcano Valley Green Lagoon was 429 feet. Petschl said he tackled the new hole design with the intention to “smash” this and with encouragement from his wife Heidi the record hole ended up 701 feet and three inches.

The family  invested in building out and operating the “Volcano Valley Adventure Golf” that came along in 2024. The kids shag balls on the driving range and taste test ice cream flavors, Petschl added.

He always loved playing mini-golf and the course on Hwy 8 had sat closed and was overgrown with weeds, when he first  reached out to the owner’s aunt in 2018.  He got the contact information from a mini-golf blogger whose site is dubbed “A Couple of Putts.”  

Prior to acquiring the mini-golf course, and the attached driving range, Petschl  had worked in construction (course improvements all involved local firms) plus stints in public relations and communications with sports organizations and non-profits.

The ice cream at Green Lagoon was his wife Heidi’s brainchild, however.    She noted that in bad weather there ought to be something to attract customers. The family loves the ice cream at Nelson’s in Stillwater and a business relationship was developed.  Nelson’s is a landmark in Stillwater that opened in 1923 and as of 2006— became owned by the Najarian family, who opened a second place in St. Paul.  The ice cream is Brown’s and was introduced in Stillwater by the shop’s original owner’s nephew.  

Petschl said, “We try to emulate their high-piling ice cream cones, at low prices, a win-win for everyone.”

Petschl established the Guinness record hole’s par at 13,  after playing it himself a few times and taking into consideration kids’ skills. The hole’s best so far has been seven, ironically racked up by the “Couple of Putts” blogger Tom Lofthus.  

“If you hit the ball straight and smoothly, you can definitely save some strokes,” Petschl promised.

All-in-all the adventure into miniature golf has made good memories and been very worthwhile. There are plans afoot for a TopRacer Range and “...we always try to make improvements on this place every year,” Petschl said.  

As a veteran owned business there are discounts for EMTs, vets, police and firefighters.  Become the next Tiger Woods or enjoy ice cream on the deck, Petschl wants you to come have a good time.

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