MONTEREY >> Tipsy Putt Monterey is nearing tee time. Granted, a little later than anticipated. But hey, what’s a good game of golf without patience?

After signing a retail lease on Cannery Row almost exactly a year ago, the minigolf course and pub is finally starting construction, with a tentative grand opening set for mid-fall.

To mark the long-awaited groundbreaking, the Tipsy Putt team is inviting community members out for a tour of its soon-to-be newest location at 95 Prescott Ave. — the former Cannery Row Brewing Company building — later this month.

“We typically use the groundbreaking as a really fun way to get to know the community, City Council members and neighbors as well,” said Jennifer Robinson, chief marketing officer of Tipsy Putt, who co-runs the brand with her husband, Brandon. “The city just approved all our plans. Construction has begun. So it’s all happening.”

Tipsy Putt Monterey’s groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for June 20 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. The event will feature a walkthrough of the 18,000-square-foot site, free tacos prepared by Tipsy Putt Executive Chef Eddy Suarez and even an opportunity to practice some putting at a pair of portable holes set up outside along Cannery Row.

“We’ll do some tours of the space, so (the community) can see the before — before they see the after,” said Robinson, adding that the Tipsy Putt team is “very hopeful for a mid-fall grand opening.”

Tipsy Putt initially announced that it would be coming to town last June. At the time, the pub planned on opening late last year, around Thanksgiving or Christmas. But progress was slow-moving. Robinson explained that because Cannery Row Brewing Co. — which shuttered in 2019 — previously used only one floor of the three-story space at 95 Prescott, getting the site ready for Tipsy Putt’s lofty aspirations to utilize the whole building proved more taxing than was originally expected.

“That required a lot more work than the city had anticipated,” Robinson said.

But this month, the project finally got the full go-ahead, according to Robinson, putting the minigolf venture into motion.

“We’re already swinging hammers, ready to go,” she said.

The $1.2 million project will feature a miniature golf course, restaurant, patio, multiple party spaces and a bar featuring only local craft beer, wine and spirits. As a change from what was initially marketed last year, Tipsy Putt Monterey will not have a speakeasy basement-level bar, at least to start. Robinson said the former Cannery Row Brewing building’s basement was a better fit for the pub’s golf course instead. Building costs for the speakeasy also played a part, she added, noting that the team may “circle back” to the speakeasy idea at a later date.

For now, the Tipsy Putt team is just focusing on construction and seeing plans through.

“There is no better fit for Tipsy Putt than on Cannery Row,” Tipsy Putt Brands CEO Brandon Robinson said in a press release. “The Monterey Peninsula is arguably the greatest golfing & craft beer destination in the world. Bringing our challenging competitive mini-golf combined with the outstanding food and beer makes us the perfect 19th hole destination.”

Originated in Washington, Tipsy Putt established its first California location in Sacramento four years ago. Two other offshoot pubs have since opened in South Lake Tahoe and Emeryville, with another on the way in Sunnyvale. Monterey will mark Tipsy Putt’s fifth location.

“We are proud to welcome Tipsy Putt, “ said Bill Grimm, Cannery Row Company Chief Operating Officer, “as the latest addition to the wonderful collection of boutique shops, restaurants and award-winning hotels, attractions and entertainment centers along the world-famous Cannery Row.”