The Central Business District in Rocky Mount, Virginia, came alive recently with the inaugural “Putt & Pour” event—a lively, community-driven experience that blended food, drinks, shopping, and mini-golf into one unforgettable day. What began as a simple Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) event idea quickly grew into something more ambitious, thanks to the enthusiastic collaboration of district businesses and Franklin County Tourism. By combining efforts across sectors, the event not only showcased local shops and restaurants but also introduced participants to a fun, interactive way to enjoy all that downtown has to offer!
How It Worked
Using a registration QR code, participants signed up for free and received a personal digital scorecard via email. Proxi, an interactive mapping / event software, (access provided by Franklin County Tourism) kept participants connected with reminders before, during and after the event while also reinforcing DORA guidelines. Once logged in, participants could:
- Access a map of businesses and DORA boundaries
- Check in at locations across downtown
- Explore bonus stops and activities
- Track scores on a real-time dashboard
- View a gallery of all submitted selfies and photos
Players earned points by visiting businesses, putting through mini-golf holes, snapping selfies, and even dressing in golf attire. The leaderboard stayed active throughout the day, building excitement and giving businesses a chance to join in by sharing photos and messages with participants.
Each completed mini-golf hole awarded 5 points (with nine holes total, just like a traditional round of golf). Taking a selfie at a participating location earned 3 points, while visiting designated “bonus” locations—businesses without a mini-golf hole—added 1 point each. To encourage extra creativity, participants who dressed in golf attire and uploaded a photo received an additional 5 points.
Prizes and Winners
To celebrate, participating businesses provided $25 gift cards as prizes. Winners were recognized in several categories, including Champion, 2nd Place, First to a Perfect Score, and Best Dressed. With 15 participants completing perfect scorecards, a random draw kept the competition fun and fair.
Impact on the Central Business District
While data is still being collected, the numbers already point to a success:
- Nearly 100 unique participants joined in the fun
- The most visited location saw over 70 check-ins
- Businesses reported significantly higher sales, with at least one retailer doubling a typical Saturday’s revenue
Despite the summer heat and a storm that briefly interrupted the afternoon, participants raved about the event’s organization, the ease of using Proxi, and the fun of exploring downtown together.
“The success of Putt & Pour shows that Rocky Mount is on the right track! By combining the creativity and energy of business owners with the support of the Town, Community Partnership, and the County, events are being built that strengthen our downtown economy and create memorable experiences for our community.” – Missy Morris, Executive Director, Community Partnership
Photo Credit: Community Partnership
Virginia Main Street 