Holey Mackerel has opened in Greenfield: 'Hold on to your putts'
Hold on to your putts, Holey Mackerel has opened in Greenfield.
That phrase, a play on Samuel L. Jackson’s line from Jurassic Park, “hold on to your butts,” can be found etched into Holey Mackerel's mini golf scorecard pencils. This is one of many elements highlighting the creative, fun and quirky nature the business wants to bring to the community.
“I want everyone in their mind’s eye to picture that scene,” said Jessi Sielicki, co-owner with her significant other, Tripper Duval.
Holey Mackerel, 5401 W. Layton Ave., opened Aug. 10 to friends, family and many new faces. There were a few issues with the historically problematic batting cages, but overall, the couple felt the opening was successful.
“It was smooth and steady,” Sielicki said. “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. It looks totally different than what people might remember when it was River Falls.”
The new name was repurposed from an idea Duval had for a bar. He and a partner already operate the Lost Whale bar in Milwaukee and there was an idea to open a second bar, this one with a northern Wisconsin/Upper Peninsula theme named “Holy Mackerel,” a common phrase up north. The couple added the “e” to link it to golf.
What’s there to do at Holey Mackerel?
Guests can enjoy mini golf, batting cages and a few arcade games. They can also gaze at the face of the late comedian/actor Chris Farley; the couple contracted friend and local artist Britt Musial to create a mural of the comedian.
The business is still finishing construction on a new bar area with hopes to start serving drinks in a couple months.
The biggest issue with the renovation work has been the outdoor water features. The pumping mechanism is broken and the couple can’t find anyone to fix it.
Sielicki said she and Duval have been working closely with the city to add more activities to the property in the coming year. Some possibilities include pickleball courts, bocce ball, food (from a kitchen and/or food trucks), and possibly a beer garden. There are also plans to repurpose the pedal cart area into a stage for events and outdoor movies.
“There’s so much more to come,” Sielicki said. “We just wanted to get going with some of the basic stuff and enjoy the golf while there’s still a bit of summer left.”
Sponsorships are available, with the opportunity to design new mini golf holes
The community can get involved in the remodeling through a sponsorship program at Holey Mackerel. Sielicki said there are various levels of sponsorship, likely ranging from around $1,500 up to $3,000 with the opportunity for higher-level sponsors to help design new mini golf holes.
Hours of operation are still a work in progress, but the business will be open on weekdays and weekends likely from 11 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. depending on how many people are still there at the end of the night, Sielicki said. When school is back in session, the business will open around 2 or 3 p.m. with the same closing time.
Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on Twitter @Redheadliner.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: With new ownership and new name, Holey Mackerel is open in Greenfield
