New Putt N' Play also features paintball target range

A Hawthorn Woods couple is bringing a touch of the tropics to Lake Zurich.

Paul and Sue Hutchings opened Putt N' Play, a glow in the dark miniature golf facility and paintball target range. The new business at 463 S. Rand Road, at the southwest corner of routes 12 and 22, opened Saturday, just in time for winter holiday vacations.

The business features an 18-hole glow in the dark miniature golf course with giant glowing structures that players have to navigate around, Sue Hutchings said.

The course takes on a tropical approach. Lazy Largo Island is the theme. "It's like an island getaway, like you went away for a week to Jamaica," Sue Hutchings said. The cost for adults to play is $9.25, while the student price is $8. Children under 5 are charged $5. Customers can also buy three-dimensional glasses for a totally different look and experience, Sue said.

Another highlight at the new business is a two-stall paintball target range. The protected stalls allow two participants to shoot at the same target. "It's going over really well and it's very safe," Sue Hutchings said. The cost is $5 for 50 paintballs.

A party room and small arcade are also part of the mix.

The business owners, who have lived in this area for nearly 20 years, say there is a need for this type of facility. "It's a mini fun center," Sue Hutchings said. "We felt there wasn't a lot for kids and teens to do," she added.

During the opening weekend, customers came from Wheeling, Palatine and Arlington Heights to check out the new business that has six employees in addition to the owners.

The motto at the business is "for all ages - all year around," Sue Hutchings said.

Paul Hutchings continues to work as a self employed printing broker, running his own business for the past 15 years. The couple has one son, Michael, 10, who has enjoyed trying out the new attractions.

Putt N' Play, with a front desk that looks like a tiki hut, will follow the Lake Zurich Unit School District 95 calendar and will be open extra hours when students have the day off school.

Winter hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more, call (847) 726-9999 or check out putt-n-play.com.

• Kim Mikus covers retail and small business. She welcomes comments at kmikus@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4567.