Todd Bickford works on a counter for the Timberjaxx Pass ice cream shop by the new miniature golf course on Friday.
(Enterprise photo — Oliver Reil)
TUPPER LAKE — A former acid rain chemist and his family are busily constructing a new miniature golf course in the center of Tupper Lake on Demars Boulevard, with hopes to open by Memorial Day weekend.
“I couldn’t do this without family,” owner Jed Dukett said. “We put in some long days to get what you see out there.”
“Out there” refers to an ADA-accessible, 18-hole course called Timberjaxx Pass, which Dukett and his family started working on after closing on the property last May. With the help of his brother-in-law Todd Bickford, the carpenter; uncle Gus Dukett, electrician and plumber; and cousin Jack Moody, he said construction progress is steady. Dukett also credited his wife Juli as a major support.
Dukett hopes to have good enough weather in the coming months to lay carpet on the course, for which they will hire a professional company.
“Meanwhile, we’re just going to keep plugging away on all other aspects of the work to be done here,” he said.
Jed Dukett, right, and his brother-in-law and master carpenter Todd Bickford work outside the miniature golf course’s soon-to-be ice cream shop.
(Enterprise photo —Oliver Reil)
Dukett was a private contractor as an acid rain chemist for 27 years, which included work with the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation. As the acid rain problem improved and the work was winding down during the coronavirus pandemic, he stepped away.
“My wife was working full time with two kids … So I knew it was time to kind of go anyways from that job,” he said.
The course itself was built by Horwath Miniature Golf Courses, run by Bob Howarth, who started the company after 25 years in the business.
“He’s wonderful, he’s been doing it for like 40 years,” Dukett said.
He also hired local help for things like cement work and has tried to utilize local suppliers.
Jed Dukett, left, and his brother-in-law and master carpenter Todd Bickford work outside the miniature golf course’s soon-to-be ice cream shop.
(Enterprise photo —Oliver Reil)
The property was formerly a gas station. The pump canopy will be repurposed for outdoor seating and picnic tables. Inside the station, they will sell hard and soft ice cream, with a point-of-sale window outside for minigolfers. The course features water obstacles, hidden passages for golf balls and a 9-foot waterfall, which Dukett said is already popular with passersby in the summer.
“It’s majestic, we had cars stopping on the road,” he said.
According to Dukett, people stop to clap and cheer as they drive by and learn that a miniature golf course is coming to town. One woman, he said, pulled off solely to ask if they were building a course. After a confirmation, she let out an emphatic cheer, got back in the car and drove off.
A portion of Tupper Lake’s recently secured Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant will go to the course, though nothing is set in stone right now, Dukett said.
“It gives my wife and I comfort when we have to take out these massive loans to pay for all of our expenses right here,” he said with a laugh.
The incoming Timberjaxx Pass miniature golf course is expected to open this year. The course is seen here Friday.
(Enterprise photo —Oliver Reil)
He credited local leaders with doing an “absolutely tremendous job” of bringing attention to Tupper Lake, getting grants and showing people what they have there.
“Tupper Lake is still a strong family community … We’ve always known it’s a jewel of a community. If you grew up here and you live here, we know what we have here.”
He and his wife’s investment is not only to create a successful business, he said, but also to bring another good thing to Tupper Lake.
“We’re trying to make our community a better place, along with, you know, trying to run a successful business,” he said.
This will be one of two miniature golf courses in the Tri-Lakes. The other is Boots and Birdies in Lake Placid.
