Wedsworth Library is celebrating Miniature Golf this month. Stop on by and view our miniature course. Whether you call it “minigolf,” “putt-putt,” or “a cheap date,” the miniaturized sport has been popular since the 19th century. The game began in the early 1900’s as “Golf in Miniature” or a short game of regulation golf.
The oldest mini golf course in existence can actually be found in Scotland. The Ladies’ Putting Club of St. Andrews was formed in 1867 as a members-only green for women golfers. The club was a result of the customs of the era that decreed it improper for a lady to “take the club back past their shoulder.” There may not have been any windmills or loop-the-loop obstacles on this course, but the green was and remains one of the most prestigious miniature courses to this day.
The courses were built to emulate the regulation courses complete with country club atmosphere and lush greens. Miniature golf was one of the first sports to be played in the evening – they were strategically built under lights of billboards or other areas brightly lit to allow evening play. It became “the thing” to do in the evenings after attending balls and galas. It was common to find these courses open until 4 a.m.
Once the Great Depression hit, regulation miniature golf courses were too expensive for most to afford, so “rinkie-dink” courses sprang up. These courses included obstacles scrounged from whatever was around: tires, rain gutters, barrels, and pipes. Eventually, the crazy obstacles became so popular that they became a regular feature in courses all over the U.S.
Pinehurst, North Carolina introduced the Thistle Dhu as the first official standardized mini golf course in 1916. The Pinehurst mini golf course is also credited as being the first official mini golf course in America. Tom Thumb Golf was the first trade name developed and patented for miniature golf. These courses were in demand nationwide and resulted in the 1930’s Miniature Golf Gold Rush.
Unbelievably, in the 1930’s, there were approximately 30,000 courses in the country with over 150 rooftop courses in New York City. It was a popular game in America – a leisurely game that could be enjoyed by any gender, at any age, without concern for athletic ability or handicap, much as it is enjoyed today.
You can stop by and view the library’s miniature course, OR you can live the life on Cascade’s first and only top of the Town course. This also allows you the perfect opportunity to participate in history.
The Town sponsors a Mini Golf event at Wedsworth Hall. Not only do you get to have a fantastic night on the town with your family and friends; this golfing extravaganza provides a perfect opportunity to let your hair down and get to know other people of the community that you haven’t met.
And if for no other reason, a night out golfing means you get to stay warm and dry at this time of the year. Just think you can sink that hole in one without worrying about the WIND!!! Golfing also keeps the little ones -young and old – out of trouble!
The world record on one round of minigolf is 18 strokes on 18 holes. More than a thousand players have officially achieved this score. As a perfect round of 18 holes-in-one is extremely rare one has never been scored in an official tournament. Try your hand of becoming one of the elite.
But the biggest benefit of playing Mini golf at the hall, is that you are helping support the Wedsworth Trust and the life of Wedsworth Hall. Augustus Wedsworth wanted a place for the youth of the community to have a place to go for community events and sports. It costs an exorbitant amount of money to heat that big old building. Electricity costs for all of us have gone out of the roof. Can you imagine what it costs for the electrical bill for the Hall? Ya- a lot.
Then there is insurance and general up keep and the janitorial services. The boiler is a bit long in the tooth and needs replacing soon at no small cost. All the money the Trust makes from rental goes right back into daily expenses. So, take a night off and find out how good of a mini golfer you are.
Then there are some excellent benefits of playing a round or two of Mini Golf. The kids and you, perhaps, will burn off excess energy, and (How About This?) burn a few calories! Mini-golf is definitely there to be helpful for a variety of gross motor skills. A round will have children strengthening hand-eye coordination, balance, and physical depth perception. Might not be so bad for the Bigger children at heart too!
Mini Golf is A Hole Lot of Love. Here are a few reasons mini golf makes an amazing date spot: “Casual and Fun Atmosphere: Mini golf provides a relaxed and lighthearted environment, making it easier for couples to interact and get to know each other without the pressure of a formal dinner or movie date.”
The most prize money in a Miniature Golf tournament is paid in the United States, where the winner of a major competition may earn up to $5,000. In mainland Europe the prize money generally quite low, and in many cases, honor is the only thing at stake in the competition. International championships usually award no prize money at all. Are you going to be the next Tourney champion?
Time to pony up – who is better the kids or Mom and Dad? And lest we forget maybe those Grandparents can shoot a better game. Challenge someone to the best score. Take it to the next level – whoever winds up winning or losing or BOTH! Adds a bit to the kitty of keeping Wedsworth Hall up and running. You won’t win that big pot of money, but you will win a fantastic time with people you enjoy and experience a lot of laughs. It will definitely put a smile on your face.
“As we conclude our journey, let’s remember that mini golf isn’t just about sinking putts; it’s about embracing the unexpected, unleashing our inner artist (child) on the course, and reveling in the joy of laughter with friends and family.”
See ya on the 16th!!!!!!!!!!