"Family is our life," beamed Maryland native Dan Russell, whose herd includes six children and three grandchildren. "So we said, 'Let's get into family entertainment.'"

And that's just what he and his wife, Marci—along with Russell's siblings—decided to do. Now, they co-own Monster Mini Golf, which celebrated its grand opening in Jessup/Columbia with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon. In attendance at its location between MD-175 and Route 1 (7351 Assateague Dr.) were representatives from the Howard County Chamber of Commerce and Howard County Tourism & Promotion office, as well as several eager children.

Continued Russell: "Howard County is second to none in family living, so we said, 'We have to be here.'"

Columbia's indoor, glow-in-the-dark course is Monster Mini Golf's 28th location nationwide but the first in Maryland. According to Monster's Marketing Overlord Marty Farrell (seriously, that's what his business card says!), the Russells approached the Rhode Island-based franchise with the idea. That got the ball rolling, and approximately a year and a half later, Monster Mini Golf-Columbia is here.

Local feel, national standards

"No two courses are alike," said Farrell. He took Patch around the course and pointed out these Maryland icons among the wall murals: Egdar Allan Poe with raven knocking at his door; black-eyed Susans; the terrapin; crabs; and Thomas Morse, who designed the first telegraph transmission, sent from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore in 1843. "Telegraph wires are a motif along the course," noted Farrell.

The course is 18 holes, with Glo-Zo the clown holding the final one in his mouth. Amid the obstacles is a sound booth guarded by a pair of dragons, where a professional DJ keeps the mood upbeat, playing hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s ("for parents," Farrell said). Meanwhile, kids can enjoy the haunted house-like golf course and array of arcade games.

Cost ranges from $7.50 to free. Admission price depends on height, so "it pays to be short," said Russell.

Monster Mini Golf is located in the Columbia East Marketplace shopping center at 7351 Assateague Dr., Jessup, MD 20794. It's open every day except Monday, and hours vary. More information is available on the Monster Mini Golf website.

Editor's note: We previously reported that Monster Mini Golf was open every day except Sunday. That was incorrect--it's open Tuesday through Sunday, but closed on Mondays. Call (410) 579-4653 for holiday hours.