Minnesota Mini-Golf Course Goes Art Museum

June 14, 2008

Some of you may have noted that I have an odd affinity for mini-golf courses. I always love to point them out when I find them. Back in the sixties and early seventies, Putt Putt courses were as ubiquitous as drive-in movies theaters. Now, both are disappearing.

Back in the 1950’s there were 50,000 mini-golf courses nationwide, today only 7,500. If you think that it’s been tough keeping a 9-hole course away from real estate developers, it’s been even harder to stop a CVS, McDonalds or strip center from occupying the space once occupied by rubber-headed clubs, psychedelic-color balls and creaky windmills.

The mini-golf course I remember the most was a Putt Putt golf course in the parking lot of a Target store. Where is it today? Replaced by a strip center.

Reading my local fish wrap, Star Tribune, I saw an article about Big Stone Mini Golf in Minnetrista, Minnesota. It was started in 2003 by Bruce Stillman, an artist and sculptor. It sounds like an eclectic mix of holes and obstacles with artistic touches everywhere. It even has a couple of old boats on the property, a petting zoo area, picnic sites and a Stonehenge-like sculpture with a fire pit. Sounds like a great weekend outing to me. I’m planning on scheduling a round soon to see if I can lower my handicap. You can check out the video here.

The Big Stone Mini Golf course costs $6 and is open from 11AM until sundown, Spring through Fall. Call 952-472-9292 for details and directions in you are in the Twin Cities.

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