Nothing says summer quite like a round of miniature golf followed by a hand-scooped ice cream cone—and on Amelia Island—Island Falls Adventure Golf on Sadler Road is where the fun begins.
Since opening its gates on June 9, 1990, this charming 18-hole course has welcomed locals and visitors alike with its cascading waterfalls, whimsical tunnels, and scenic bridges. Island Falls Adventure Golf is the dream brought to life of Bob and Mary Lou Tompkins. Bob, a former head golf pro at Amelia Island Plantation (now the Omni Amelia Island Resort) always envisioned owning a golf course. “This was the kind we could afford,” recalls Mary Lou with a smile.
When Amelia Island Plantation went through some difficult financial times, Bob knew it was time to make his vision a reality. “Our kids were young, around 4 and 5, and we loaded them up and traveled the Southeast playing a lot of miniature golf courses,” Mary Lou remembers.
It turns out Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a very popular place for mini golf, and the many different courses there gave Bob plenty of inspiration. His goal was to build a Victorian-style Florida retreat where even the rocks looked real and the entire property was pristine. And that’s exactly what he built and meticulously maintained until his passing in 2013.
“Our kids grew up on the golf course, and it was so natural for our son, Ryan, to take over operations when we lost Bob,” says Mary Lou. What Mary Lou won’t brag about is that she studied business administration and accounting in college and she kept everything running smoothly behind the scenes— and still does today.
“Dad wanted people to have fun; fun was his number one rule,” says Ryan. “He liked traditional, classy, and beautiful golf courses, and that is what we try to offer here.”
One of the best parts of Bob and Mary Lou’s time in the business has been getting to know the customers and hearing their stories. “In the early years, I was teaching school while Bob was running the golf course,” explains Mary Lou. “It was fun to get to know the kids at school and then help them celebrate their birthdays with some mini golf on the weekend. And today, it’s so neat to see some of the very same former students playing golf with their own children.”
For the Tompkins family, the real joy is in the community. “It is just something special to own a small business on Amelia Island. We love employing local teens, many of our customers are like family to us today, and we equally enjoy giving back to the community and donating rounds of golf for fundraisers over the years,” says Mary Lou. “And the tourists are so much fun, too! Some families we see over and over again year after year! One of our favorite groups hosts an annual family golf tournament, complete with a green jacket for the winner!”
With rounds of golf at Island Falls averaging just $13 and plenty of treats like slushies, hand-dipped ice cream, and snacks, it’s the perfect summer stop. Whether you’re weaving through caves or cheering a hole-in-one, this course isn’t just about golf—it’s about family, fun, and a little bit of Amelia Island magic!