Mini Golf: A $2 Billion Business Built on Whimsy and Profit
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Resources & Recommendations
People Mentioned
- Mike Matzinger (Owner of Surf's Up mini golf course) - Discusses his experience as an entrepreneur and owner of a mini golf course.
- Sal Cannaboy (Mini golf expert, President of Harris Miniature Golf) - Provides expertise on the history, design, and business of mini golf.
- Katie Cannaboy (CEO of Harris Miniature Golf) - Discusses the operations and client base of Harris Miniature Golf.
- Rich (Katie Cannaboy's father, former owner of Harris Miniature Golf) - Started the Harris Miniature Golf company.
- Drew Heffelfinger - Suggested the topic for this podcast episode.
Organizations & Institutions
- Harris Miniature Golf - A leading mini golf course design and construction firm, co-owned by Sal and Katie Cannaboy.
- National Golf Foundation - Provides estimates on mini golf participation and industry revenue.
Tools & Software
- AutoCAD - Software used by Harris Miniature Golf designers for creating course layouts.
- Lumion - Software used by Harris Miniature Golf designers for creating course layouts.
Other Resources
- Surf's Up (Mini golf course in Carolina Beach, North Carolina) - Mike Matzinger's mini golf course, featured as a case study in the episode.
- Tom Thumb Golf - Early pioneers of miniature golf courses in the 1920s with whimsical themes.
- Putt-Putt - National chain of mini golf courses popular in the 1950s that emphasized real golf skills.
- Puttery - A corporate operator in the mini golf space.
- Puttshack - A corporate operator in the mini golf space.
- Drive Shack - A corporate operator in the mini golf space.
- PopStroke - A corporate operator in the mini golf space, co-owned by Tiger Woods.
- "Really Karen" - A board game created by Mike Matzinger, where players act like a "Karen."