Mini golfers beware Woody the Talking Tree is here to challenge and heckle all who attempt a hole-in-one. The new feature at Adventure Golf and Raceway in Westminster is the newest addition to the miniature golf course, replacing the original Pyramid 18th hole feature for Buccaneer Bay and Adventure Cove, which is being stored for a future project.

Woody is a two-story high tree trunk with a highly animated face, who shares tree wisdom when awakened. The feature also includes two spinning skunks, Pinky and Stinky, and an owl named Hooty. When a golfer makes a hole-in-one, the feature erupts into a musical performance with Hooty rising out of the top of tree in a cloud of mist.

But when a golfer misses, he or she is awarded with something not so neighborly.

“The skunks actually `reward’ the person with a spinning spray of water and a puff of a smelly scent,” said Joann Cortez, Adventure Golf and Raceway communications spokesperson. “And depending on which side you miss at, you also either get a puff of flowery scent, or a puff of something that doesn’t smell quite as good.”

The cost of Woody the Talking Tree was $100,000 and is the most recent major project at Adventure Golf and Raceway in the past three years. The idea for the new feature came from facility manager Ken Ciancio.

“We thought it would be a nice 25th anniversary present for our guests,” he said.

Woody’s face is made out of a latex and foam cast and is animated with seven moving eye and mouth parts, activated via trip switches, compressed air and pneumatic cylinders and solenoids.

“The enormity of the tree and especially the giant face are surprising, but the animatronics and humor are over the top,” Cortez said.

Construction on the feature began in November 2013, and was competed in March. For more information on Adventure Golf and Raceway at 9601 North Sheridan Blvd., visit