By APRIL MIDDLETON

Salina Journal

When Bill Weaver opened what is now named Putter's Golf 39 years ago, it cost just 75 cents a game to play.

This weekend, the price per game is the same.

"It's cheap fun for the family," Weaver said.

It usually costs $5.35 to play a game of miniature golf. The discount price, good for this weekend only, is a way to thank customers who have supported the business over the years, Weaver said.

Weaver, 75, Salina, will close Putter's Golf, 1600 S. Broadway, after Labor Day weekend.

"I'm getting too old to do this. I've enjoyed it for 39 years, but I'm tired. It's time," he said.

Weaver hopes to sell the business, which he built, but hasn't yet secured a buyer.

Dean Haiden, Lindsborg, said he and his children will miss the miniature golf course if it closes.

"As soon as we moved to Kansas, we started looking for some fun outdoor things to do as a family. We found this place, and we come here a lot," said Haiden, who brought his two children, Addison, 7, and Brance, 3, to play a game at the course Saturday.

Haiden said both his children love to play miniature golf.

On Saturday, Brance went through the course, placing his ball right next to the hole and putting it in.

He cheered and awaited his father's response after every putt.

"He always plays exactly that way, and he always has fun," Haiden said.

Weaver said he bought the franchise and built the miniature golf course in 1969 because he "wanted something for the kids to do."

"There wasn't much recreation out here at that time," Weaver said.

The course is the same today as it was when it opened.

In those early days, the business, which was open from early morning until at least midnight, was nearly packed all the time.

Warm evenings still draw quite a bit of business, but video games and other indoor activities have changed the business, Weaver said.

"Kids just don't get outside as much as they use to," Weaver said.

Years ago, Weaver said he thought about putting in video game machines and other attractions at his business, but he decided against it.

"We just never wanted to do that. We wanted it to be putt-putt," he said.

The best part of owning the business has been meeting new people, Weaver said.

For 39 years, Weaver said he has been at the business, at least for a bit, nearly every day it has been open.

"You have to work it to make it work," he said.

When they were younger, Weaver's six children spent summer working at the business. Then, their children worked at the miniature golf course with their grandfather.

"It's been a lot of fun," Weaver said. "A lot of people have told me I just can't close and that I'll miss doing this if I do," Weaver said. "I probably will miss it, but you have to draw the line somewhere. It's time."

nReporter April Middleton can be reached at 822-1498 or by e-mail at amiddleton@salina.com.

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