On A New Course: Brew Lab's Salvas ready for modernized Putt Putt with 'Putts N Pints' plans

ALBUQUERQUE — “Everybody asked me, ‘Are the animals going to stay?’” Scott Salvas said. “Of course, they're going to stay. They have to stay.”

While the zoo animals aren’t going anywhere, Thursday morning was all about the changes for Albuquerque’s San Mateo Boulevard miniature golf course.

On the same grounds as the once beloved Putt Putt, Brew Lab 101 CEO Salvas discussed the future of his latest project, Putts N Pints, in a Thursday press conference.

“I know it's always going to be Putt Putt to everybody here,” Salvas said. “But for us, it's going to be Putts and Pints. It is a classic, iconic Albuquerque spot that we all grew up with.”

Putt Putt operated for 45 years, opening in 1972 and closing in 2017.

Salvas will be the first to attempt a true revival, seeking a balance between nostalgia and modernization.

 “Our goal is really to keep the nostalgia,” Salvas said. “We've had a lot of feedback about, ‘Don't change it, don't change it.’ Well, we need to modernize it. It needs to be brought up to what modern patrons expect. But we are going to keep all the things that are classic, right? We're going to freshen this up. It's going to get some paint. It's going to get some new turf.”

Putts N Pints' new features will also include a virtual golf bay, arcade games and an enhanced party room for events.

Salvas has been wearing many hats over the last few months. On top of running multiple Brew Lab 101 locations, Salvas told the Observer in December about potential plans for a taproom at the McDermott Athletic Center.

So, with a lot on his plate already, how will he ensure Putts N Pints doesn’t follow Putt Putt’s fate and go the way of the dinosaurs? (Like the ones on Hole No. 7).

Just as with their location on Southern Boulevard, it will be a team effort leading the charge to return to the links, a team that is ready to grow with the help of the community and sponsorships.

Putts N Pints will offer two levels of sponsorship: “Par” and “Birdie.” Par will allow sponsors to display banners on the property fence and be featured on the course's website. Birdie, just as in real golf, gets you a bit more, offering features such as sponsoring your very own hole.

Salvas and Co. have already locked down one sponsor: Rio Rancho’s own John Sillett and his LEGO-based store Big Brother’s Bricks.

“We already work with Brew Lab,” Sillett said. “We have events there a couple of times a month. Scott asked us to do this, and we're beyond excited to be a part of it.”

Some more City of Vision representation was on hand, with Rio Rancho Regional Chamber President Jerry Schalow kicking off the morning.

“The investment is reclaiming a bit of history for all of us who have lived in all of Central New Mexico for a number of years,” Schalow said. “We're celebrating the investment and entrepreneurship of investors that are making a difference and bringing this facility back.”

The morning was finished off with Salvas and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller teeing off for the course’s inaugural hole since its return, hoping to be the first round of many to come.

“We're so excited. We're so humbled,” Salvas said. “We really feel the weight and the gravity to do this right, to make sure everyone is happy.”

Putts N Pints is scheduled to open this summer.