16
APRIL 2022
SECTION ONE
Larchmont Chronicle
Whether it’s called putt-putt or miniature golf, it’s always fun Whether it’s called puttputt, mini or goofy, miniature golf is always fun. I grew up in Ohio, and our family summer vacation destination was usually Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The drive was 12 hours from Cleveland, which was much shorter than traveling to Florida. Our priorities when vacationing were palm trees, saltwater, and seafood shacks that served hushpuppies with every meal.
Youth Sports by
Jim Kalin Myrtle Beach was the farthest north that palmettos grew, and the congestion of seafood restaurants along the coastal town’s North King’s Highway
is still unrivaled. So is the number of miniature golf courses. There are more than 50, and Myrtle Beach touts itself “The Miniature Golf Capital of the World.” Putt-putt primer Kitsch is a must for miniature golf. Themes are always popular, especially when accompanied by outlandish and manufactured landscapes. The water surrounding these
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elaborate holes is generally dyed TyD-Bol blue, and most obstacles, whether buildings or creatures, feature moving parts. Jurassic Mini Golf in Myrtle Beach is dinosaurthemed, and when the gigantic lizards are lit up at night, it’s quite dramatic. But for audacity, nothing matches Hillbilly Golf in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The course is built into a steep mountainside, and players ride a 300foot vertical tram that travels on rails from hole to hole. There are two 18-hole courses, ZOEY RAVNEL and her dad at Pan Pacific with obstacles like playing the shark hole. outhouses, bathcourse to people’s homes and tubs and moonshine stills. Miniature golf depends on businesses for private events. “It’s about nostalgia,” he good weather, which is why the South and California have said. Olson, who teaches high so many courses. The term school history during the “putt-putt” was copyrighted by Don Clayton in 1954. Clayton week, designs and builds the owned Putt-Putt Fun Center holes in his shop. He’s conin Fayetteville, North Carolina, stantly on the lookout for and the cost to play one round items that can be converted into obstacles and hazards for at the time was 25 cents. his course. Putt-putt evolution “I’m always scouring Ama“Golf courses and cemeteries are the biggest waste of zon and antique and vintage real estate,” claims Rodney shops for things I can cut up, Dangerfield’s character Al slice and dice,” said Olson. His favorite obstacle is a Czervik in the golf film classic “Caddyshack.” Exactly, shark he constructed from an and that’s the main reason old mailbox. Putt-putt events so many Southern California Olson has done some unique putt-putt courses have disappeared. The land they occu- events. He was recently hired by a law firm downtown that pied was too valuable. Cassidy Olson recalls play- occupied its building’s entire ing at King’s Beach Miniature top floor. The firm requested Golf at Lake Tahoe on family an 18-hole putt-putt course vacations. That, and the dis- laid out in the hallways for a appearance of local courses, happy hour party. inspired him to start LA Pop But Olson’s favorite was Up Mini Golf, a company out an event at Dodger Stadium. of Hermosa Beach that spe- He set up 18 holes along the cializes in bringing a mobile warning track in the outfield, and each had a different Dodger theme. One hole paid homage to Justin Turner. “I built a small bridge and bought a red beard from a costume shop,” explained Olson. “The golfers had to putt the ball over the bridge and beard.” LA Pop Up Golf is the best idea I’ve heard in a long time. It’s a great addition to birthdays, corporate parties, even wedding receptions. “Age doesn’t matter,” said Olson. “Everyone can do it.” If you’re interested in adding a unique twist to an upcoming event, give Olson a PUTT-PUTT: Justin Turner call at 310-892-9988, or email hole at Dodger Stadium event. lapopupminigolf@gmail.com.
