Manager set for the 19th hole

After more than 23 years as manager of Masterton's Mini Golf Duncan Adair has stepped down.

Today was Mr Adair's last day managing the Queen Elizabeth Park course and he said it was time to "give someone else a try".

"I've absolutely loved the job, it's a beautiful place to work but you have got to be here every day, weekends and school holidays and all the public holidays you've got to be open and that's been nice for 23 years or so but it's time to do something different," he said.

Mr Adair will still work as the caretaker of the Queen Elizabeth Park croquet and will be keeping an eye on the playground, which will include continuing to sell fence pickets with people's names for $40.

The fence pickets form a barrier around the playground.

"I'll be doing a bit of travelling. I'll still be doing the job next door and maybe a bit of coaching in croquet or bridge," he said.

Mr Adair said he has enjoyed being his own boss and seeing people enjoy the park facilities.

"Seeing how much the kids enjoy the park and the playground, getting feedback and comments from visitors who just love the place.

"On a beautiful day there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

He said over the years he has had to deal with some difficult children.

"The biggest problem is that you're not allowed to give them a good kick up the bum like you could in the old days.

"But mostly everybody who comes pays the money to enjoy themselves," Mr Adair said.

Mr Adair will be replaced by Masterton woman Catie Manson.

"She'll have some new ideas and she's very inspired to keep up the good work.

"I'll be next door and looking over the fence."

Masterton Mini Golf is a Masterton South Rotary Club project that first opened as Masterputt in 1979.

Supervisor of the Mini Golf for rotary Cedric Percy said the club had been fortunate to have Mr Adair as manager for so long.

"He's been a great asset to the community," Mr Percy said.