Holliston Mini Golf Course Gives Employees With Disabilities A Chance To Flourish

A family business in Holliston has a much bigger goal than making money.

Head Greenskeeper Nick Giammarinaro
A WBZ TV photo

– News from elsewhere covered by Quincy Quarry News.

Holliston Mini Golf Course Gives Employees With Disabilities A Chance To Flourish.

Holliston is where you’ll find Nick Giammarinaro hard at work landscaping the grounds at a mini golf course called Putts and More.

“I love the smell of cut grass. I love to get dirty.”

Immaculate fairways at Putts and More
A WBZ TV photo

Nick has developmental disabilities, but when it comes to keeping up these grounds, he’s laser-focused.  “I feel like I am a hard worker, (to) make it look beautiful, like Fenway Park,” he said.

Nick’s parents, Marion and Jim Giammarinaro, bought the course several years ago when Nick aged out of school and needed a job.

“He had shown some aptitude for landscaping so we thought we would look into buying some commercial property so he could landscape,” Marion explained.

When a commercial real estate broker suggested the mini golf course, they jumped at the chance.

“It just felt right,” Marion said. 

Soon Nick was mowing, weeding and mulching.  “I like to get it perfect, straight lines,” he said

Marion and Jim soon realized they could also make a difference for other families.  “We decided why should we do this just for us, there is so much need.  There is a high unemployment rate among people with disabilities,” Marion said.

Now they have 9 employees with disabilities.

Emma has Down syndrome.  She helps keep the course clean and restocks the clubs and balls. “I like working here, it’s a lot of fun!”

Jessica has a learning disability and used to struggle interacting with other people.  When she first started working, her mom came along to help, but now she works independently.  “It’s really helped me with communicating with others, being organized and learning how to deal with people.”

Sarah’s disabilities are physical and make it hard for her to get around.  But she is great with the customers and runs the shack which sells snacks as well as tickets to enter the park.  She has been disappointed trying to get other jobs.  “I was told that I pretty much would be a burden.”

Sarah told us having this job has changed her outlook.  “I love that I have the opportunity to be helpful, to be useful, it means a lot.  I’m just a lot happier,” she said.

It’s a sentiment shared by all of these young adults who seem to enjoy working as much as those who come to play mini golf.

“I like to meet different people.  I like to be social.  I love the opportunity to work here.  (I have) great parents,” Nick said.

Source: It Happens Here: Holliston Mini Golf Course Gives Workers With Disabilities Chance To Flourish

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