Fountaine succeeds Doug Steffen, PGA, under whom he was an Assistant Professional at the Springfield, N.J. club from 2010 to 2014. Most recently Fountaine was the Head Golf Professional at Arcola CC, and he has also worked in golf pro positions at Old Sandwich GC, The Dye Preserve, Red Tail GC and Binghamton CC.

The rise of technology means stroking a ball through pipes and into a clown’s mouth just doesn’t cut it any more. To now have a chance at success, mini-golf courses have to be more interactive and off the wall. Even for the Putt-Putt Corporation, mini-golf is now just one part of a “fun center” approach.

The addition of the Loris, S.C. property builds the portfolio of four-year-old East Coast Golf to six clubs, four of which are on the Myrtle Beach “Grand Strand.” The management firm says it is in active discussions to add up to four more courses in the Carolinas.

The property near Pinehurst, N.C. includes a 1,200-acre lake, golf courses designed by Ellis Maples and Arnold Palmer, and an historic clubhouse.