Mobile Tenino Mini Golf Club Aims to Engage Community at Masonic Lodge

In an effort to spur more community engagement at the Tenino Masonic Lodge, a member of the organization has constructed a mobile golf course that is available to the community.

Franklyn Gallup, worshipful master of the Masonic lodge, began the Tenino Mini Golf Club to provide a fun, family-friendly opportunity for area residents.

The club hosts a free birthday party monthly for people who are celebrating in the community.

Those in attendance can utilize the course for free and also play on a 36-inch Chinese Checkers board.

Gallup said he was inspired to create the mini golf course as a way to get people to check out the lodge.

“It’s been a fun time,” Gallup said of his endeavor which started in December.

Only four people showed up to the first community birthday party, but the one in January brought in a larger crowd. Gallup said he believes the event will continue to grow.

He intends to rent out the five-hole course to people within a 25-mile radius of Tenino.

The course can be arranged into a variety of layouts. Gallup also said he places obstacles on the course to make it more challenging.

What makes his endeavor unique is that it’s mobile. Gallup can disassemble and transport it. He said the business is small, but it’s the only putt putt golf course in Tenino. He also said it is a fun opportunity for all ages and is an especially big hit with the younger crowd.

Any money generated from renting out the course would go toward rent payments for the Tenino Mini Golf Club.

“It’s just an idea I came up with,” Gallup said. “I’m just going with it to see where it goes, but it’s been fun.”

Individuals who want to see the course are welcome to check it out prior to renting it. The Tenino Mini Golf Club shares the Masonic Lodge building in Tenino. Gallup said the perfect opportunity to test it out would be the community birthday party, which will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18. Those interested in attending are encouraged to bring a potluck dish. The only thing that is not allowed is alcohol.

Gallup has been a mason for 3 1/2 years and belongs to seven Masonic organizations. He said the club is an organization that makes “good men better.” Currently, the Tenino branch has about 40 members.

To find out more information on Tenino Mini Golf Course, or to rent the course, contact Franklyn Gallup at 360-807-3122. The course is available for rent in Tenino and a 25-mile travel radius. The course can be viewed at the Tenino Lodge No. 86, at 260 Sussex Ave. West in Tenino, by appointments, which can be set up by Gallup.