BATESVILLE, Ark. — A cherished piece of Batesville’s history has been brought back to life. The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome Putt & Porch, a newly renovated mini-golf and event venue located at 455 Gap Road. The reopening, spearheaded by new owners Rusty and CJ Elumbaugh, marks the revival of a property long remembered as the old Putt-Putt course.
The Elumbaughs shared their motivation to restore the site, wanting to preserve its nostalgic charm while creating a space for fresh family memories. “We live close, so we were driving by, and it popped up for sale,” said Rusty Elumbaugh. “I said, ‘We ought to do something with that place.’”
After considering various possibilities, including residential and commercial development, the couple decided to focus on recreating the mini-golf experience. “We decided to do it as an event venue because Batesville needs more places for kids to hang out and have birthday parties,” said CJ Elumbaugh. “We’ve made this so there’s a spot for everyone to hang out, or with 36 holes, everyone can get out there and play golf.”
The venue features 36 mini-golf holes, a climate-controlled indoor space for socializing or watching sports, and a porch area for relaxing. It is designed to host gatherings of all ages, from birthday parties to family reunions and corporate events. Rental pricing varies depending on the timing, and reservations can be made through the Putt & Porch Facebook page.
Revitalizing the property was a hands-on, family-wide effort. The Elumbaugh family repaired the infrastructure, replaced the turf, and restored the original concrete layout designed decades ago by Malcolm Ford. The couple’s two sons, Ryder and Rixon, played an active role in the transformation, helping with tasks such as hauling gravel and redesigning course features.
“We wanted to keep the original design intact while updating the space to make it enjoyable for today’s families,” said CJ Elumbaugh. “This is about preserving a part of Batesville’s history for a new generation.”
Putt & Porch is available for private four-hour event rentals on weekdays and weekends. For booking inquiries, visit the Putt & Porch Facebook page or call 870-307-2130.