The beloved Goofy Golf in Fort Walton Beach has new owners who are committed to preserving its iconic status while bringing a fresh perspective to the cherished local landmark.

Chris Clements, who has worked at Goofy Golf for 26 years, including 14 years as the owner, has sold the business to Fort Walton Beach natives Josh and Anna Calhoon. 

• The Calhoons, who also own Destin Inshore Guides, Emerald Coast Bait and Tackle Shop, and are involved with Goin’ Coastal TV, officially took over on May 1, 2024.

The connection between the Calhoons and Clements was facilitated by a mutual friend and employee at Emerald Coast Bait and Tackle. “We relayed a message that if Chris ever wanted to sell Goofy Golf, we’d be interested,” Anna Calhoon recalled. “We just thought it would be a cool, iconic piece to own in Fort Walton Beach.”

Three years later, in October 2023, Clements reached out to Josh Calhoon, and the two began discussions about the potential sale. “Chris’s biggest concern over the years is he didn’t want anybody to come in and level the property or change Goofy Golf,” Anna Calhoon said. “And we told Chris we have no desire to change anything at Goofy Golf. We just want to clean it up and get things working and operational like what we remember as kids growing up here.”

Clements, who began working at Goofy Golf when he was 15-years old under the previous owner Bob Fleskes, shared the Calhoons’ vision for preserving the essence of Goofy Golf. 

• “I feel like Josh and Anna are the same way as I am. They are from here, have young kids that they’re raising here and they’re going to do the exact same thing: keep it Goofy Golf,” he said.

The Calhoons plan to refurbish and update the beloved miniature golf course while maintaining its original charm. They aim to get the mechanical parts moving again, give the structures a fresh coat of paint, and even recreate the iconic castle hole that has fallen into disrepair. 

• “The castle hole is a good example. The yellow and brown castle is falling apart, it’s got rust,” Anna Calhoon explained. “So we actually have a local guy that is recreating it because unfortunately, there’s no salvaging the castle. But the castle that will go back there will look the exact same. It’ll just be working and no rust.”

The new owners also plan to update the operating hours, host events, and collaborate with local schools’ art departments and construction classes. While prices have been slightly increased to support the updates, the Calhoons are committed to keeping Goofy Golf affordable for families.

“We only raised the prices to $6 for an adult and $4 for kids. We still wanted to keep it at $20 or less for a family of four to go and have some fun,” she said.

For Anna, only a week into owning a local treasure, it still doesn’t feel real.

• “It’s a crazy feeling to walk there and know that we’re the owners,” she shared, expressing her excitement about the opportunity to own a piece of Fort Walton Beach history. “Our daughters think this business [Goofy Golf] is way cooler than owning a tackle shop or charter boats.”

The Calhoons also plan to bring back classic Goofy Golf t-shirts featuring the iconic sign and a throwback design created by Clements 12 years ago. They hope to involve the community by collecting old photos of Goofy Golf from locals to display in the kiosk, showcasing the rich history and memories associated with the place.

Clements, who has been approached by potential buyers two to three times a year since owning Goofy Golf, emphasized the importance of finding the right people to carry on its legacy. 

“I could have sold it to anybody but that’s not what I want because I want it to forever be Goofy Golf,” he said. “I feel like I made the right choice and these are going to be the right people to keep it going for generations and generations.”

For Clements, the decision to sell was bittersweet. 

• “I love Goofy Golf and still wish I could be part of it but you can’t be part of something forever. Eventually, you’ve got to give somebody else the opportunity that has it in their heart who’s willing to put the time and effort into it and Josh and Anna are those people,” he said.

As the Calhoons embark on this new chapter in Goofy Golf’s history, the community of Fort Walton Beach can rest assured that their beloved landmark is in good hands, ready to create lasting memories for generations to come. 

“I just want to thank everybody for the opportunity, for coming to Goofy Golf, and making memories,” Clements said. “Goofy Golf is just one of those small family businesses that hopefully will never change and still have that attitude of being here for our local community and we appreciate you.”