August 28, 2018
by Tom Loftus (aka Mr. Tee)
You may be wondering, why are you looking at a bunch of shirtless young men on a post about the history of a beloved mini golf course? Following the previously documented Grand Re-Opening discussed in Part 3, Spring Lake Park Amusement continued their Summer of 1980 marketing push to get the new business name out in the world to expand their image from solely being a mini golf business. A smartly executed publicity stunt can be a boon to business especially if you tie in a beloved pop culture entity.
CBS launched the now controversial Dukes of Hazzard TV series in 1979 as a fill-in for The Incredible Hulk. The show became an overnight success. I remember dialing up the show every Friday night from the couch during my childhood before my parents would watch Dallas and Falcon Crest. In high school, I watched re-runs during the Summer and quickly realized that all of the black characters in the show were cast as villains in opposition to the heroes of the show. The mischievous Duke brother duo fought the law, jumped their car over bodies of water, and came off as cool action heroes. I was too young to understand the racist symbolism of the confederate flag on their car. In addition to being the envy of grade school boys, the family members all became Hollywood sex symbols in 1980. The under 21 John Schneider stood out in particular for his boyish looks and modern cowboy dress style.
As proof from the press coverage and photos below, the Bo Duke look-alike contest occurred during the 4th of July weekend in 1980, a month after the Grand Re-opening events. Dave Heckler of Golden Valley won the big $100 prize, a modeling contract, and press coverage from the long-gone St. Paul Dispatch.
This odd moment in the history of the Goony Golf / Spring Lake Park Amusement miniature golf business felt worth sharing.
Part 2 – It Came From Tennessee (or maybe Florida)
