Putting Green is the brainchild of a New Ulm area physician, Laurel Gamm, and her family. In 1997 on a family outing, they discovered that mini-golf was a fun activity that they all enjoyed together. On the way home Laurel's 8 year old son was imagining and drawing mini golf holes in the backseat. Laurel thought - "Aha! Wouldn't designing and developing a mini golf course be a great hands-on way to learn many disciplines---physics, math, art, and business?" With her passion for education and a new found interest in sustainability - that what's good for the environment and good for business can be one in the same - sustainability education became a natural theme for the Park.

Laurel explains "The blend of lighthearted family fun with the serious need to care for our environment seemed a perfect combination for success." Given what's been accomplished, it's apparent there are many who agree. Putting Green, Inc. formed in 2001 as a nonprofit organization, and thanks to its many supporters and volunteers, Putting Green is an innovative center for environmental education serving south central Minnesota.