In 1955, George Vitense had a vision of developing a multifaceted, affordable, day & night family golf environment, in Madison. In its first few years of operation, George Vitense Golfland already featured a large double deck golf range, two 18 hole miniature golf courses, and a 9 hole par 3 golf course.

With temperatures hovering around zero, I didn’t have to wait in line for tee time at the miniature golf course.

I drive past this illuminated menagerie on a regular basis, on my way to pick up Amanda at gymnastics. With a fresh coat of snow on the fiberglass animals, the festive facility takes on an otherworldly appearance. Tonight, I had to stop.

The crew working at the front desk were more than happy to let me have the run of the place. Joel, the proprietor, met me on my way out and asked if I got any good photos. I told him that I was intrigued by the lion, giraffe, and other animals covered in snow. He seemed to understand completely, noting that the place reminded him of the Island of Misfit Toys.

That, my friends, is the sign of a savvy businessman — one who knows better than to acknowledge the sheer lunacy of a potential customer, even one who nearly gets frostbite taking pictures of a fiberglass hippopotamus.