Thursday, October 7, 2010
Lost Memphis Al's Golfdom & Al's Golfhaven
Posted by Vance Lauderdale on Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 1:15 PM
- Al and Susie Fister in the 1980s
The Fisters moved to Memphis in 1960, hoping to open a driving range, since (hard to believe) our city didn't have one. They scouted around and purchased a cotton field on South Perkins and opened the Golfdom complex. It was slow going at first, but within a few years, they had expanded — adding a pair of nice miniature golf courses, snack bar, batting cages, go-karts, and a giant slide. Al's became so popular that it stayed open 24 hours a day. During the winter, they even sold Christmas trees. When celebrities came to town — Lee Trevino, Bob Hope, and others — they headed out to Al's to practice their swing.
In 1965, Al expanded his operation, buying up 20 acres of farmland on Raines Road, right by the expressway, and opening Al's Golfhaven, a somewhat larger version of the place on Perkins.
I could tell you more about both places here, but I won't. Instead, you must go out and purchase the October issue of Memphis magazine, where you can read the whole thrilling story, beginning on page 58. You'll be glad you did, I assure you.
ALL IMAGES COURTESY AL AND SUSIE FISTER
Comments (2)
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I used to ride my bike to the Perkins location at least once a week to play miniature golf or ride the go-carts. Our moms never worried about us boys riding from up near the Monkey Mountain down those busy streets. I think there were cars on the roads back then, just not many. I also kinda remember they had one of those slides there as well. Then one day it was all gone ... the Trezevants turned it into a Mall ... and that too is gone as well.
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The whole Fister family was so wonderful when we were growing up. We swam on the swim team with their children at the old Memphis Athletic Club (now the Racquet Club - and Vance, one of my dreams is that you'll do an article on that wonderful place). It seems we were always playing miniature golf and racing around on go-carts. I think we sat in burlap bags as we went down that fun slide. Thank-you, Mr. and Mrs. Fister, for all your hard work that resulted in wonderful memories for so many!! :)
