Rio Rancho Mini Golf Course Reopens as Putts-N-Pints With New Look

The animals stayed. That was the one thing Scott Salvas kept hearing from the community as he prepared to reopen a long-shuttered miniature golf course, and it became the throughline of Putts-N-Pints, the new venture he launched through his Brew Lab 101 Beer & Cider Co. team.

"We've had a lot of feedback, 'Don't change it, don't change it.' Well, we need to modernize it," said Salvas, who serves as CEO of Putts-N-Pints. "It needs to be brought up to what modern patrons expect, but we are going to keep all the things that are classic."

The reopening revives what sources describe as Albuquerque's former Putt-Putt Golf & Games at 5100 San Mateo NE, with the Brew Lab 101 team, based in Rio Rancho, leading the project. All three outdoor putting courses are back in operation, joined by an expanded lineup that includes a retro arcade, pool tables, virtual golf experiences and an upgraded party room. The food and beverage menu now includes beer, wine and spirits, though the venue is positioning itself as welcoming to all ages.

Salvas drew a clear line between preservation and neglect when describing the physical changes. "We're going to freshen it up, it's going to get some paint, it's going to get new turf, but the animals are going to stay," he said. "Everyone asks me, 'Are the animals going to stay?' Of course they have to stay!"

The business's website frames the project as an effort to "preserve the charm and nostalgia of the existing miniature golf course while introducing enhancements that today's guests will appreciate." Party packages are available for both kids and adults, with the venue prepared to host everything from children's pizza parties to corporate team-building events and retirement celebrations.

The comeback generated buzz well before any official announcement. A banner at the site earlier this year reading "reopening soon" set off a wave of excitement across social media. Salvas said the response caught even him off guard. "We didn't expect the 'reopening soon' banner to drive the enormous buzz it has generated on social channels, online and on-air," he said in a statement. "It's been a powerful reminder of how many people have memories tied to this place, and how much the community wants it to return."

Big Brother's Bricks is already signed on as a sponsor, and Putts-N-Pints is actively seeking additional local business partners. The venue's website, which launched recently, greets visitors with the declaration "Mini-golf is back!" beneath a logo featuring a beer glass, golf ball, putting green and putters.