Kristof’s Entertainment Center – Round Lake Beach, IL

Played July 8, 2021 & August 28, 2021

Reviewed by Mr. Tee

During a July work break in 2021, I took a solo trip down to the greater Chicagoland area to take in all the mini golf I could muster. At the time, I wasn’t going to be able to make it back for the M.C. Mini Masters but I wanted to play all of the courses on the docket for 2021 tournament, especially Kristof’s. Near the border of Wisconsin over an hour north of downtown Chicago, it’s home to not only an 18-hole course but it was the literal backyard to Holey Moley episode winner, Steve Kristof. I made plans to meet up with Steve to play late at night towards the end of my trip. After my late August international travel got canceled, I ended up having a weekend available for travel back to Kristof’s as part of a full day of mini golf competition in the 24th M.C. Mini Masters.

Rating

Par – There are a handful of companies that build traditional miniature golf courses across the US. Some of them are just turf, bricks, and the occasional water feature, and others are more kitschy and creative. Of those businesses that regularly build courses, Castle Golf is probably our favorite. Their courses normally feature a few fun structures that you can putt through and around including old Victorian houses, Watermills, and, duh, big castles. The Castle Golf built Kristof’s features all of these fun little buildings as well as a variety of putting challenges. There are a handful of holes that utilize pipes and others that have well-placed rocks and grades of turf to make scoring in the 30s very difficult. The best score during the M.C. Mini Masters in 2021 was a 40. The only issue with the course as of playing in 2021 was the turf. Steve even admitted that they were hoping to replace it soon as well as touch up a few of the features. I’m set to play this course again in 2022 for the 25th iteration of the M.C. Masters and looking forward to it.

Blue skies, water and a beautiful castle

View across the front half of the course

Overview drone footage courtesy of Jeff Schmidt

Closer in to people sinking some putts during the M.C. Mini Masters

Love that gopher, skeleton and water feature combo

First visit to the course was with Steve who grew up on this course

Steve showing the putting skills that made him a Holey Moley winner

Second visit was for the M.C. Mini Masters. Great crowd on a hot hot day!

Big shoes and bowling pins are definitely a sign of fun for me

My buddy Aaron of O-Street who traveled in from New Jersey

and Ben’s partner, Kara, rounded out our group of M.C. Masters putters at Kristof’s

During the Masters, we had to play one hole on each course in a unique way. Kara is showing that we had to play #10 hitting the ball between our legs

Holey Moley alums posing out with a gopher

Final hole gives a chance for a hole-in-one

Classic Victorian House closes out a fun course

Steve sharing some of the history of the course

Loved seeing how the course changed over the years

Kristof’s Website

421 W Rollins Rd, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073

Pros

A wide variety of play and game design across all 36 holes
Waterfalls, rope bridge, jeep and rocks matched tied the theme together
Good putting challenge

Cons

The putting area doesn’t include much from the adventure/jungle theme

Nerdy Notes

18 holes. Par 44
Prices: Adults – $10, Kids & Seniors – $8, Second Round – $4
Unlimited wristbands and other discounts available to combine food and entertainment options
Full bar, bowling alley, arcade, batting cages, go-karts and during the Halloween season, a haunted house experience
The course was mostly- ADA accessible. Wheelchairs would need to go over bricking near the cup. Fully paved sidewalks
Home to many iterations of the M.C. Mini Masters