When we think of pressure washers, the image that typically comes to mind is a powerful machine used for cleaning and removing dirt and grime from various surfaces. However, have you ever heard of a "witchcraft pressure washer"? No, it's not a new type of magical cleaning tool, but rather a term used to describe the seemingly unexplainable and mystifying powers possessed by some pressure washers. These "witchcraft" pressure washers are not your ordinary machines. They have the ability to not only clean surfaces effectively, but also seemingly perform magical feats. With their high-pressure jets of water, they can remove even the toughest stains and dirt, making surfaces look brand new. It's no wonder they have earned the nickname "witchcraft"! One of the main reasons why these pressure washers are deemed as "witchcraft" is their ability to clean without the need for harsh chemicals or excessive scrubbing.
It's no wonder they have earned the nickname "witchcraft"! One of the main reasons why these pressure washers are deemed as "witchcraft" is their ability to clean without the need for harsh chemicals or excessive scrubbing. The powerful pressure created by these machines is able to dislodge and remove dirt particles that are deeply embedded in surfaces. This makes cleaning tasks much easier and more efficient, saving both time and effort.
GOLF'S MAGIC CARPET RIDE
"Adventure" golf, the new breed of miniature golf courses, has replaced the windmills and ceramic animals with 20-foot shipwrecks and waterfalls. These courses have sloped putting greens, water hazards and rocks on a landscape that looks like something out of Epcot Center.
All this comes at a price. At the seven courses with an adventure golf theme in the Tampa Bay area, players pay up to $6 for one round.
A course costs more than $1-million to build, but the rewards are hefty, too. With some locations bringing in $500,000 a year and keeping half of that as profit, there's nothing miniature about adventure golf.
"The old, flat, obstacle-laden, rinky-dink courses are passe," said Skip Laun, executive director of Tallahassee-based Miniature Golf Association of America. Many say the newer courses add a sporting element to miniature golf, which has long been perceived as more of a children's game.
"I think those windmills (on old putt-putt courses) are luck and chance. This is the '90s and people want real golf," said David Sheppard, manager and part owner of Fiesta Falls Adventure Golf in Indian Rocks Beach. Sheppard, a professional golfer for five years, helped design the Fiesta Falls course, complete with water hazards on the greens.
The adventure golf courses have pars around 40, but scores average in the high 40s and low 50s. Some courses, like Congo River Golf & Exploration Co. in Clearwater and Tampa, change the layout and difficulty of the holes so returning players don't play the same course each time.
This brand of golf is catching on. There are more than 1,000 courses with adventure golf or similar themes nationwide, Laun said, compared to 7,000 more traditional courses.
The first adventure golf courses were built in the Myrtle Beach, S.C., area in the early 1980s. After the builders saw the success of the first courses, they began to look for warm locales where players could play year-round. Florida was an obvious choice.
At most area adventure courses, majority ownership is held by one of a number of out-of-state private companies, most of which are based in Traverse City, Mich. The city is the mecca of adventure golf courses. Designers built two courses there in the mid-'80s, and course designers then took their success to other states.
Adventure Golf Design and Development, a Traverse City company, is the biggest adventure course operator in Florida, with six Congo River courses. The adventure courses started appearing in the Tampa Bay area about seven years ago.
Fiesta Falls, the Indian Rocks Beach course, has been open for five years and draws as many as 1,000 players a day during its peak season, January to April. With an average price of $4.87 per person ($5.45 for adults, less for children and seniors), that's as much as $4,870 in revenue lining up at the ticket booth in a day.
Creating these courses isn't cheap. Building Fiesta Falls' elaborate rock formations, waterfalls and putting greens took several months and cost almost $500,000, said Wayne Lobdell. His firm, Lobdell Management of Traverse City, is a general partner in the course.
Then there are "soft" costs, including design and legal fees, that can be hundreds of thousands of dollars. The initial investment on an adventure golf course is well over $1-million, Lobdell said.
The high initial cost of adventure golf courses forces owners to charge higher fees to play. In contrast to nearby adventure golf courses, players pay only $2.50 at St. Pete Beach's Polynesian Putter, a traditional miniature golf course.
But once the course is built, operating costs are comparatively tiny. The payroll for the courses is small, utility bills are low and most of the maintenance is done by the employees. Sheppard said Fiesta Falls has had as much as $800,000 in revenue in a year and can make about $400,000 in profit.
The courses pay for themselves in two years, Laun said, and only two adventure golf courses have gone out of business nationwide since the concept began.
The players at these courses, mostly tourists, don't seem to mind paying more money to play. Bill and Linda Faletti, on vacation from Ashford, Conn., stopped at Pirates Cove Adventure Golf in Madeira Beach recently because it was the first course they saw.
"We find it relaxing," Bill said after his ball lipped the 17th hole, eliciting a groan from his wife. "We hit every (course) we see."
The course owners say two basic elements in business success, location and good service, get people to come and play. The courses are located on heavily traveled streets like Gulf Boulevard on the Pinellas County beaches and U.S. 19 in Clearwater and Port Richey, where many people drive by, see the shipwrecks and waterfalls, and stop to play.
But the key to survival in this business isn't getting players to come on the course _ it's getting them to come back.
There are four courses within 12 miles of each other on Gulf Boulevard, and the courses have plenty of tricks to get visitors to play their course more often than the competition's.
Brenda Bromley, manager and part owner of the Ruins de El Dorado course in St. Pete Beach, uses coupons, special rates for residents, discounts on second rounds, and a variety of other incentives to get people to come back.
While the adventure golf courses are businesses out to make money, the owners and managers tend to think of them as labors of love.
"It's a fun business because, in general, people go there and have a good time," said Jerry Kocis, part owner of Global Golf, the company that started Ruins de El Dorado. "You don't have to deal with irate people or other people of that nature."
Another plus is that adventure golf appeals to people of all ages. That alone should keep people paying to putt yellow, purple and green golf balls, course owners say.
"It's an escape," said Fiesta Falls' Lobdell. "I think the most important thing is that the whole family can go out and play. The whole family can't go out to play tennis, the whole family can go out to play miniature golf and each can be reasonably competitive."
Fiesta Falls, the Indian Rocks Beach course, has been open for five years and draws as many as 1,000 players a day during its peak season, January to April. With an average price of $4.87 per person ($5.45 for adults, less for children and seniors), that's as much as $4,870 in revenue lining up at the ticket booth in a day.
Another reason why these pressure washers are considered as "witchcraft" is the speed at which they can clean large areas. With their high-pressure output, they can quickly and effectively clean driveways, decks, sidewalks, and even vehicles. This is especially useful for homeowners or business owners who have large areas to clean but lack the time or energy to do so manually. Furthermore, the versatility of these pressure washers adds to their "witchcraft" status. They can be used on a wide range of surfaces, including concrete, wood, metal, and even fabric. This means that they can be used for various cleaning tasks, from removing graffiti on walls to washing cars and boats. Their adaptability makes them a valuable tool for both residential and commercial use. In conclusion, while the term "witchcraft" may seem unusual when referring to pressure washers, it is a fitting description for their seemingly magical abilities. These machines can clean surfaces with ease and remove dirt and grime that seems impossible to get rid of. With their powerful jets of water, they can transform dirty and worn-out surfaces into clean and refreshed ones. So, if you're looking for a cleaning tool that can perform feats of "witchcraft", then a high-pressure washer is what you need..
Reviews for "Witchcraft Pressure Washers: The Ultimate Tool for Spring Cleaning"
- Sarah123 - 2/5 - I was really excited to try out the Witchcraft pressure washer after seeing all the positive reviews, but I was quite disappointed with my experience. Firstly, the machine was very noisy and had a strong vibration, making it difficult to use for extended periods of time. Secondly, the spray power was not as strong as I had hoped, as it struggled to remove tough dirt and grime from surfaces. Lastly, I found the overall build quality to be subpar, with some parts feeling flimsy and easily breakable. Overall, I would not recommend the Witchcraft pressure washer for those looking for a reliable and powerful machine.
- JohnDoe55 - 1/5 - I had high hopes for the Witchcraft pressure washer, but it turned out to be a complete disappointment. The machine was extremely difficult to set up, with confusing instructions that made the process frustrating and time-consuming. Once I finally got it up and running, I was disappointed with its performance. The water pressure was weak, and it struggled to effectively clean even basic surfaces. On top of that, the machine started leaking water after just a few uses. Save your money and invest in a more reliable pressure washer.
- unhappyCustomer99 - 2/5 - I gave the Witchcraft pressure washer a try, but it fell short of my expectations. The machine worked for a few uses, but then suddenly stopped working altogether. Despite following all the troubleshooting steps provided in the manual, I could not get it to turn back on. Additionally, I found the hose to be quite short, which limited the reach of the pressure washer. The witchcraft pressure washer may have some positive features, but its lack of durability and limited functionality make it a poor choice in my opinion.