Brownington, Vermont - August 24, 2011
There's something kind of strange happening in this quiet corner of the Northeast Kingdom.
"There's nothing else like this out there," Robert Lyon said.
Arrows and golf balls are whizzing through the air. It's two sports blending into one, in what may be the most promising marriage since peanut butter met jelly.
"Well, my wife gets discouraged with me because I stay up all night thinking of this," Lyon said.
Robert Lyon is the mastermind behind this sport.
"OK, here we are at R and R Archery Golf," he said.
Similar to miniature golf, the archery version of the sport is pretty easy to learn. You get points for every shot you make. The fewer shots you need, the more points you get.
After a quick tutorial it was time to hit the course.
"You pull back, you aim at the target and shoot it in for a hole in one," Lyon explained.
And as the saying goes, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
Each hole on Lyon's 19-hole course presents a different challenge.
From Custer's last stand to the railroad crossing...
"The trick is to get this into the railroad sign," Lyon explained.
All of the holes vary in length and have different obstacles to overcome. And just like real golf you have to spend time looking for the ball.
And just like in golf every once in a while you even get lucky.
But for Lyon the true reward is how much others have enjoyed his creation. To date, 73 people have played this course. Most are family and friends, but as word spreads strangers are even showing up, too.
"I'm not much for golf and I'm not much for archery either. I think this is a lot more fun," Hannah Hahn said.
A perfect way to spend the day no matter your age.
Reporter Keagan Harsha: You're like a kid in a candy store.
Robert Lyon: Yes, I am.
As two great sports collide in the Kingdom.
R & R Archery Golf is located at 163 Old Cemetery Lane in Brownington. It costs $5 to play a round, but tee times are required. A round takes just over an hour. Call 754-2415 to schedule a round or for more information.
Keagan Harsha - WCAX News
Robert Lyon
