Visited August 11, 2019, by Mr. Tee and Comedian Nils Lindahl
As the 1980s indoor mall boom makes way to empty indoor spaces in the 21st century, new opportunities arise to help breathe fresh energy into these former hubs of commercial activity. Mason City, located in north-central Iowa near interstate 35W and home of The Music Man, is revitalizing their once failing Southbridge Mall with several new businesses including a new mini golf course called River City Mini Golf. An entrepreneurial 18-year-old, KJ Barkema, came up with the idea of offering an inclusive entertainment option in the mall. After KJ suffered injuries that prevented him playing football his senior year, he investigated ways to use the extra time to bring positive activity into his hometown. With support from the local business community and his family, he repurposed structures from a former Tilt blacklight course and themed holes around area businesses and entities.
As luck had it, myself and a good friend, Nils, had a chance to see the course in progress on a music road trip to Grey Area. We met with KJ and his father as they were spending a Sunday afternoon working on the course that was set to open in early September. Both of them shared the background of the course and the vision for the future course. The course was coming together and officially opened on September 7, 2019.
For more backstory on the course, read Globe Gazette: “Mason City teen starts mini golf business in Southbridge Mall”. Congrats KJ and family! If you’re traveling through Mason City, support and play this course. Can’t wait to swing back through and play a round ourselves.
Hours
Thursday: 3:45-7:45*
Friday: 2:45-7:45*
Saturday: 12:00-6:45*
Sunday:12:00-5:00*
*last round starts at those times
