Sharing Archipelago adventures for nearly 20 years

Saaristoseikkailu Puistogolf & Rantavaja rose on the shores of Kaupunginlahti at remarkable speed, completed in just eleven weeks. Work continued almost around the clock, and by early June the brand-new mini golf course stood ready to welcome its first visitors.

Then the rain came. As it so often does.

During the opening weekend, enough rain fell for several weeks at once, and the gloomy weather continued throughout the entire first week.

Fortunately, entrepreneurial friends Janne Laitinen and Roope Lautala are used to changing conditions. After all, a Finnish summer can bring just about anything.

“Of course, we knew from the beginning that the weather would have an impact, as it always does with outdoor attractions. There’s simply nothing you can do about rainy days,” says Laitinen.

“In theory, we could have continued building for another week, since there were still plenty of small finishing touches left to do,” Lautala adds.

Once the park’s unusually long baptism by rain finally ended, visitors began to discover the course. These days, the area buzzes with activity every day as families, groups of friends and workplace teams put their skills to the test on the 18-hole mini golf course.

Alongside a round of golf, visitors can stop by the Rantavaja for lunch, ice cream or a refreshing drink. The entrepreneurs are pleased with the overall result. After a few twists and turns, the area turned out exactly as they had hoped, complete with lighthouses, maritime markers and a miniature replica of the old water tower.

The idea of building a mini golf course on the shores of Kaupunginlahti had been simmering in the minds of both Laitinen and Lautala for quite some time before it finally came up in conversation.

For the two friends, who had worked together for years, it felt natural to pursue the project as a team.

“I think I was 13 when I first went to work for Janne at Haidus, mowing lawns,” Lautala recalls. “Although I suspect I only got the job because I was the only one who could get there by my own boat.”

After a quick calculation, they estimate that their collaboration began in 2007. Since then, they have worked together in one way or another ever since.

“Starting from those lawn-mowing days, Roope has done just about everything imaginable — cooking, serving, repairs, transportation, entertaining guests…” Laitinen lists.

“At least I was underpaid,” Lautala replies.

“Well, you got paid, at least,” Laitinen shoots back.

Both men burst into laughter. Having worked side by side for so many years, they sometimes sound remarkably like an old married couple.

“Next year will make it twenty years. What anniversary is that, anyway?” Lautala grins.

In practice, their long shared history is reflected in how easy it is to work together. Over the years, they have learned each other’s strengths — and weaknesses.

“We’ve built a strong connection, so there’s no need for written rules about how things are done here,” Lautala says.

“We’ve naturally divided responsibilities according to what each of us is good at — or not so good at,” Laitinen agrees. “For example, I’m basically banned from anything digital. Roope handles those things much better, while I take care of everything else.”

The duo spend as much time at the park golf course as their other jobs allow. Lautala also works as a pilot boat operator, while Laitinen runs various transportation, installation and maintenance assignments around the archipelago.

There are still plenty of finishing touches to be completed at Saaristoseikkailu throughout the summer. Both the course and the restaurant will remain open at least until the end of August.

“Although, once again, that depends on the weather,” Laitinen points out. “If we get good weather, we can certainly stay open in September as well, at least on weekends.”

So how would they sell this place to readers? Why should people visit?

“We’re actually not very good at selling with words,” says Lautala. “We simply decided to build what might be the finest mini golf course in Finland.”

And really, what more is there to add?