PW SEP16 06-08.qxd:PW_Nov14_p08_09 09/09/2016 06:13 Page 6
in association with
Park Hoppin’ with Paul Ruben
Hole-in-100
courses in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, I chose to start play in Ocean City, Maryland. It's a resort town where you can't drive more than a few blocks without passing one of 16 miniature gol f courses. Stopping at Jolly Roger Park, I chose to play their 18-hole Jungle Golf
S
course. That's me below, next to the hippopotamus preparing to putt on one of the holes. The hippo is on the right. I did well and shot a 37. I did even better on the next hole. In 1916 the first commercial miniature golf course, the Thistle Dhu (“This’ll
Do”), opened in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Since that time, the miniature golf industry has seen many changes. Thomas McCulloch Fairbairn revolutionised the game in 1922 with his formulation of a suitable artificial green. What started as a form of entertainment for well-dressed adults has become an activity that the entire family can, and does, enjoy. By the late 1920s there were over 150 rooftop courses in New York City alone, and tens of thousands across the United States. From rooftop gardens to the signature windmill obstacle, miniature golf courses have evolved in style and props to the highly themed and decorative courses that we enjoy today. My second stop on my miniature golf tour was in Wildwood, New
Jersey, where the Morey brothers have introduced the new Starux 27-hole putt-putt course this season )see page 28). Theming rules here as golfers can choose to play one, two or three of the themed nine-hole courses including the beach course, where they will putt around giant sandcastles and an artificial sand dune. The ocean course features fountains and creatures from the sea, while on the second level boardwalk course the holes are designed with plastic palm trees and nostalgic Wildwood and boardwalk memorabilia. The practice green next to the Starlux hotel helped, as I lowered my score significantly but failed to keep my ball out of the many water hazards. Jack Morey is head greens keeper and his brother will is the assistant. I know; it says so on their business cards. Nearly all the original mini golf courses in the United States were closed
and demolished before the end of the 1930s. A rare surviving example from this period is the Parkside Whisper ing Pines course located near Seabreeze park outside Rochester, New York. Since this was not far from my home, I ended my golf odyssey there. The Papas brothers own and operate Parkside Whispering Pines renovated in 2012. The miniature golf is a seasonal operation and is open throughout the spring, summer and fall. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest miniature golf course in the United States, having opened in 1930. The course was built from fossil stone purchased from out west during the miniature golf boom. The course has a very unique design, which has entertained generations. For me it was the pinnacle of my golfing career as I scored a hole-in-two.
SEPTEMBER 2016
ince this year has been the centennial celebration of miniature golf in America, I thought I would join the celebration by putting my way around a few courses. Although there are more than 50 mini golf
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