Sunday was a perfect day for golf.
Two incoming seniors at Pitt — Justin Harvey from Long Island, N.Y., and Cole Privott of Lexington, Ky. — played two rounds at the 9-hole miniature golf street course called the Oakland Open. It is located on the street at the corner of Oakland and Forbes Avenues.
Each won a round.
Harvey and Privott have been friends since freshman year. They wanted to play the course before its dismantling this Sunday. There are plans to relocate the course sometime this summer, according to organizers.
It’s free to play. Donations are welcome.
Masks are required.
Pittsburgh’s first pop-up mini golf course is part of InnovatePGH, which runs the Pittsburgh Innovation District.
The Pittsburgh Innovation District is a neighborhood-based initiative to develop and promote Oakland.
According to its website, the course is overseen by Epic Development, and sponsored by Wexford Science & Technology, Oakland Business Improvement District, Walnut Capital, Avenu, Hilton Garden Inn, The Oaklander Hotel and Bob O’Connor Golf Course at Schenley Park.
Walk-ups are allowed as space permits. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Players receive a scorecard that offers $5 discounts at nearby restaurants, cafes and retailers.
The mini golf course was installed in March.
The Oakland Open has been a successful public space activation and direct support for Oakland business community, said Mike Madden, Pittsburgh Innovation District director, via email.
“This bold and forward-thinking project has been a safe way to have fun as the weather turned warmer, and it has brought a variety of people from the region into the Pittsburgh Innovation District,” Madden said. “Due to high demand, we are excited to unveil a new location for the Oakland Open soon.”
Harvey and Privott met freshman year in a composition class. Though most instruction was virtual this school year because of the pandemic, they wanted to be on campus to experience some college life.
The library was open, as were many of the academic buildings even though classes weren’t in person. They took advantage of outdoor dining and outdoor basketball courts and worked out at the gym when it was open, they said. Both said they would prefet to attend in-person classes in the fall.
“This was really fun,” said Harvey, who played the course for the first time on Sunday. “It gives us something to do and I like that it’s free.”
Privott was playing for a second time.
“It’s great that it’s in the center of campus,” Privott said. “That way a lot of people will see it.”
Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Thursday through-Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
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