John Ostrowski of Harris Mini Golf, Wildwood, N.J., adjusts a sprinkler as Chuck Tomlin operates an excavator to place the first boulder that will form the base of one of two waterfalls at the miniature golf course Bob Magid is building behind the Fuddruckers restaurant under construction in Hermiston.<br><i>Staff photo by Dean Brickey</i>

HERMISTON – Work started last week on Hermiston’s newest golf course.

Bob Magid, whose Portland-based company is building a Fuddruckers restaurant, also plans a miniature golf course on the site.

Four employees of Harris Mini Golf of Cape May, N.J., are fashioning the 18-hole course, which will include two waterfalls.

“I picked this company because they build just about the best golf courses around,” said Magid. “The golf course will be substantially changing in the next couple or three weeks.”

Meanwhile, masons nearly have completed the brick structure of the 6,800-square-foot restaurant. It’s along U.S. Highway 395 North, just east of Aaron’s furniture store, which Magid also owns. City building records show the new building’s value at more than $811,000.

Magid doesn’t expect to open the restaurant until next May. The miniature golf course is scheduled to open at the same time.

“It’s going to take through October just to get the shell up,” he said.

Like Aaron’s, Fuddruckers is a franchise operation with more than 250 restaurants nationwide and some abroad, he said.

Hermiston’s will be his first restaurant and Oregon’s second. The other is in Lake Oswego. There are none in Washington, but one each in Boise and Meridian, Idaho.

Fuddruckers specializes in serving hamburgers.

“They’re pretty much about the best hamburgers you’re going to get,” Magid said, adding the chain uses only high-quality fresh meat.

“There will be an expanded menu at this restaurant well beyond the hamburgers Fuddruckers is known for,” he added.

Magid expects to hire more than 40 employees, mostly full-time. In addition to dining room seating, the building will have event rooms for adult and children’s parties, an arcade and an ice cream parlor.

“We’re trying to do the ultimate highest quality food that’s out there,” he said. “This’ll be a top of the line restaurant.”