Mini Golf Fever Sweeps Jakarta: An Entrepreneurial Success Story

HOLEO Golf & Museum co-founders Andre Husada MSEL’20, Stella Susanto, and Rexanders Gautama MSEL’20, outside their first mini-golf location in Jakarta Indonesia.
Listen

Miniature golf, a nostalgic, family-friendly recreational mainstay in America, has found new fans in Jakarta, Indonesia, thanks in part to two Babson graduates who created an updated, social media friendly version of the 18-hole game called HOLEO Golf & Museum.

Co-founders Andre Husada MSEL’20, Rexanders Gautama MSEL’20, and Stella Susanto have even opened a second location only eight months after HOLEO’s opening because the first location has been so popular.

“HOLEO’s rapid growth can be attributed to our commitment to providing a unique and memorable experience,” Husada said. The two-story space offers an 18-hole course designed on the four seasons. The first five holes take place in spring, then players progress through summer, autumn, and winter.

The site also offers a second floor packed with Instagram-friendly backgrounds based on desserts, such as a banana-yellow room with dozens of replicas of the yellow fruit hanging from the ceiling.

“We have a winter golf course in a country that’s never had snow, and a room full of 100 donuts where people can take a great selfie,” Husada said.

Word-of-mouth recommendations, press coverage, and visits from Indonesian celebrities and influencers also have helped boost growth, according to Husada.

Why Mini Golf?

The popularity of selfie-ready themed rooms and museums have been on the rise for several years, but how did HOLEO co-founders decide to offer mini golf?

HOLEO Golf & Museum co-founders Andre Husada MSEL’20 and Rexanders Gautama MSEL’20 sit in the donut room.
HOLEO Golf & Museum co-founders Andre Husada MSEL’20 and Rexanders Gautama MSEL’20 sit in the museum’s donut room.

Like the best entrepreneurial ventures, the game addressed several pressing needs in the Indonesia capital, Husada said.

“We conducted deep market research that revealed two primary problems in Jakarta’s entertainment industry,” Husada said.

“First, many real estate owners were grappling with underutilized spaces that had remained vacant for extended periods, resulting in zero return on investment. Secondly, consumers were seeking modern and innovative entertainment options that were notably absent in the market dominated by outdated choices.”

Once given a thematic makeover, mini golf gained popularity in Jakarta for the same reasons the game is popular around the world, Husada said:

  • It’s affordable: Unlike traditional golf, mini golf is much more budget-friendly, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals and families.
  • It’s accessible: Mini golf courses are conveniently located within the city, allowing easy access for residents and tourists.
  • There’s variety: HOLEO created a variety of themes, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
  • It’s family-friendly: Mini golf is an activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, promoting family bonding and social interaction.

Babson Born

Hanging plastic bananas among a bright-banana yellow painted room.
Hanging plastic bananas in a bright yellow room make up the selfie-ready “yellow room.”

The idea for the golf course began to take shape during Husada and Gautama’s Leading Entrepreneurial Action Projects (LEAP) class, taken as both were working toward earning their Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership (MSEL) degrees.

The founders of HOLEO initially explored various concepts, with a coffee museum emerging as the final concept. Little did they know that this concept would lay the foundation for HOLEO. Two years later, the vision became a thriving reality.

“One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Babson that has been instrumental in the journey of opening HOLEO is the importance of focusing on the problem not just the solution,” Husada said.

“Babson emphasized that we should start by deeply understanding the pain points and challenges faced by our target audience. This approach directly influenced our decision to open HOLEO.”

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Outcomes

More from Outcomes »

Latest Stories

Two people sit next to each other in a classroom
As Workforce Needs Evolve, Babson Expands Its Commitment to Professional and Executive Education To better support organizations and professionals in rapidly changing times, Babson launches an expanded Professional and Executive Education portfolio, offering courses that are online, flexible, and urgently needed, while investing in a new lodging and conference center on campus.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
June 23, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Andrew “Zach” Zacharakis applauds while sitting at a table during a BCERC dinner
Honoring Andrew ‘Zach’ Zacharakis for 20 Years as BCERC Director As the 45th annual entrepreneurship research conference returns to Babson’s campus, BCERC pays tribute to Professor Andrew “Zach” Zacharakis for two decades of service. Zacharakis shares reflections of BCERC and its impact.
By
Eric Beato
Editor / Writer
Eric Beato
Eric Beato is the Editor of Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Eric has worked as an editor and writer at newspapers across the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Boston Herald. Eric joined Babson College in 2019 after working as the communications director for a private educational travel company and as the managing editor of six regional sports publications.
June 16, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Public safety dog surrounded by students.
It’s All in the Name: Hero the Dog Brings Safety and Smiles to Babson Trained by the state police, Babson’s newest Public Safety dog comes with unique skills to boost campus safety and community engagement.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
June 12, 2025

Posted in Community