In the decade since it was shut down, the former Crafton Putt Putt miniature golf course has been taken over by weeds and overgrown hedges.

Now, it's been overtaken by ghosts, witches, skeletons, scarecrows, spiders, bats, pumpkins and other symbols associated with Halloween.

The course on West Steuben Street at South Linden Avenue has been resurrected temporarily with a new name, Grim's Ghostly Golf, and business has been booming, thanks to the volunteer efforts of Carlynton High School student government representatives.

Ghosts, witches and spider webs hang from trees adorned with orange and black lights, in keeping with the theme of a haunted golf course.

When golfers step up to the first hole, they must putt their ball through the base of the wishing well, which longtime residents will remember has always been there. But now it -- like all greens on the 18-hole course -- has been customized for Halloween, with a skeleton peeking out of the top of the well.

Grim's Ghostly Golf opened Oct. 16 and will operate through tomorrow night. It took a lot of effort to get to this point.

Work began in September, when student government representatives from the high school started repairs and renovations to the golf course, a project that would be part community service and part fundraiser.

"There were so many weeds here, you couldn't even tell this was a golf course," said William Richards, of Crafton Heights. Accompanying him on his golf rounds on a recent sunny afternoon were his niece, Theresa Ziegler, and her son, Allen, who traveled from Mount Washington.

High school students did most of the work with an assist from a handful of adults.

"The weeding was really a lot of work," said Lauren Schultz, a senior who lives in Crafton.

Students had to rip out all the old indoor-outdoor carpeting on the putting greens and cut new carpeting to fit into the course. They also decorated the course, making things like scarecrows.

Many parents and local residents donated decorations. One man stopped by in his pickup truck and dropped off two bales of straw.

Student government representatives and other students "work" at the golf course several times per week. When times are slow, they can do homework, said Andrew Sheariss, a senior from Crafton.

Manning the admission booth on a recent night were Andrew, Lauren and Olivia Barger, a sophomore from Crafton.

The start of their golf season was bumpy, said Laura Begg, a high school teacher who sponsors student government. As sponsor and chaperone, she's been at the golf course from 4 to 9 p.m. every weekday and from noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

"The first weekend, it was cold and rainy" and attendance was disappointing Ms. Begg said, but as the weather improved and word spread, business has boomed.

The money raised will buy a bronze plaque and pay for landscaping around the base of the life-sized bronze cougar statue that was installed at the high school this month during homecoming.

"People keep asking if we will be open again in the spring," Ms. Begg said. School officials are discussing that possibility with officials from the borough, which owns the golf course.

Some parents also have donated time and money. John Pelesky, a carpenter whose daughter, Shelby, is a junior, helped repair old props and the wooden railroad ties that frame each putting green.

Pam Rodriguez, who has children in a district grade school, made banners for the course and signs with the number and sponsor for each hole.

Individuals, families, businesses, elected officials and school district employees donated $50 per hole to get the project going. Most of that money was used to buy the new carpeting for the putting greens, Ms. Begg said.

Donations also were accepted to sponsor the 18 holes.

The first hole, according to the sign made by Mrs. Rodriguez, was sponsored by state Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, D-Brookline,

Hole No. 6, where golfers must putt their ball between the legs of a hissing black cat, was sponsored by the Carlynton School District vocal department.

A witch on a broom flies over the red barn obstacle on the seventh hole, sponsored by the Carlynton Physical Education Department.

Other sponsors from the district are the Federation of Teachers, the school board and the Class of 2000.

Louise Hawrylak traveled from Beaver Falls to play the course on a recent crisp, sunny afternoon. She was accompanied by five elementary school age children who live in Crafton.

"My grandchildren," she explained. "My daughter called to tell me about this golf course and said the children would really love it if I took them here."

Grim's Ghostly Golf is open from 4 to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children younger than 12.

Linda Wilson Fuoco can be reached at lfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-722-0087.

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