Larry Wagoner could think of no better way to combine his passion for Jesus with his favorite hobby of golf than to open a driving range in Vidalia.

While a driving range isn’t a normal way to spread the Bible’s message, the way Wagoner has FarGolf, Inc. set up, it does just that.

FarGolf is a not-for-profit driving range that opened in October on Logan Sewell Road in Vidalia.

All the proceeds from the driving range will be divided equally among five charities. The charities receiving the money will be The Delta Storefront Mission in Ferriday, The Breadcrumb Ministry in Jonesville, Feed the Hungry in Vidalia, The Sunshine Shelter for Abused Children in Natchez and Sellers Maternity Home for unwed mothers in Baton Rouge.

“The main thing I want to do is give money back to the community and spread the gospel,” Wagoner said. “Helping people in need is a major part of the gospel, and reaching out and helping people is what I want to do.”

FarGolf has been open since late October, and so far Wagoner is pleased with the response, especially considering the weather this time of year.

“I’ve gotten really great response since I opened up,” Wagoner said. “I have probably sold 150 buckets of balls so far and that is really good for this time of the year.

“It is really encouraging for the spring time and the amount of play that it will get then.”

In order to give back as much money as possible, Wagoner has worked hard to keep his overhead cost as low as possible by using modern golf technology.

“We have a token machine you put your money in to get the token and you use that to get the balls from the golf ball vending machine,” Wagoner said. “I don’t have to have anybody there to let someone hit golf balls.”

Wagoner said he thinks better weather and the fact that the money will be donated back into the community will really help his venture thrive.

“FarGolf is an acronym that stands for faith, acceptance, repentance, gives one life forever,” Wagoner said. “It is totally Christian based.”

Wagoner is also hoping to inspire others to play the game he loves by offering student specials for high school and college students in the spring as well as having happy hour pricing when the weather warms up.

Wagoner who is also a pastor at Dunbarton Baptist Church in Ferriday, also has big plans for future developments at FarGolf.

“One thing I’m going to do in the future, and I hope very soon, is put in a putt-putt course,” he said. “There is also a full service pro shop in the future as well.”

FarGolf, Inc. is at 205 Logan Sewell Road in Natchez. The driving range hours are currently noon until 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, weather permitting.