by Whitney Merrill

Photos: Whitney Merrill.

January, 2011 — As the rainy season visits us on the coast this winter, it is welcome news that a new activity is now available in the Shoppes at Harbor Village in Half Moon Bay. Kings and Knights Miniature Golf, run by Matt McKnight, opened in October and has been attracting kids, families and groups who are looking for a low-priced indoor activity on the Coastside. It’s also refreshing to hear the sound of kids playing and laughing throughout the mall, which has had a number of open store spaces since its opening two years ago. Watching the kids come in and out of his location, McKnight says, “You have to have young life in a mall.”

McKnight and his wife have lived in Moss Beach for 14 years. With their three boys, they were eventually confronted with the Coastside parent challenge of what to do on rainy, foggy days. “We were left with a lot of time wondering what to do after school when sports activities were not available,” McKnight says. The inspiration for the business came while the family was visiting its Gold County cabin in Twain Harte and the boys kept asking to play miniature golf. “The kids never tired of it and it was low priced – my dream was to do it on the coast.”

Joshua McKnight. On the right is William Moffitt. Cameron McKnight is in the background.

McKnight, who also owns a video game development company, started the miniature golf business with a partner and built it all from scratch. McKnight used his own “focus test of three boys” to design the layout and ensure that it was engaging for kids of all ages. With support from the owner of the mall he was able to combine two of the large shop spaces; half of the golf course is laid out in a black light room where all of the balls, putters and props light up in bright fluorescent colors.

The golf course has 18 holes and you can play for $5 per round in a safe, fun and kid-friendly environment. Kings and Knights offers group rates for birthday parties, preschooler’s clubs and corporate functions.

Most of the challenges have been in getting the word out, but news of the course has been spreading through traditional means like Little League and mother’s clubs as well as through modern means like Facebook and the Kings and Knights website. Commenting on the challenges of starting up a small business, McKnight says: “The economy has taught me to always have a backup plan. If it breaks even and the community has fun then I’ll be happy.”

Matt McKnight.