Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

GOLF COURSE SUCCESSFUL ADJUNCT TO DRIVE-IN Exhibitor Enthusiastic After 14-Year Experience With Combined Operations An 18-hole miniature golf course laid out in 1940 at the Del-Sego Drive-In Theatre, Oneonta, N.Y., proved so successful that this year, owner-operator William Warnken jr., expanded it in size for the enjoyment of the patrons of his 500-car outdoorer. “For all these years I have been in the miniature golf and driving range business in conjunction with my drive-in theatre,” said Warnken, “and I find that they work very well together. “Many people come to the theatre early and go directly to the golf course to play before the show starts. The course and driving range are open on weekends from noon until midnight, and on weekdays from six o’clock till midnight. Admission is 50 cents. “My new course,” said Warnken, “is about three times the size of the old one (which was 110x135 feet) although it is still 18 holes. This gives more grass area and adds to the appearance. It is located adjacent and to the rear of the theatre. The new course, as well as the original one, was laid out and a good deal ‘prefabbed’ by Taylor Bros.” NEW, AUTOMATED HAZARD SHOTS To add interest, the new course has several automated shots: a windmill where one has to shoot between the blades, a barn with an automatic rising and lowering door which the ball must go through and many other challenging devices, including an operating grist mill to a pond below. Warnken further describes his course as follows: “The putting area of the course itself is a goat’s hair carpet with a nylon backing. This eliminates, to a great extent, shrinkage which was a serious problem with the burlap-backed carpet. This carpet is supposed to last two to three years and then will have to be replaced. “Because the carpet is cemented on reinforced concrete slabs, there are spacers beneath the 2x4s surrounding the putting area which allow a great deal of the water to run off after a heavy rain. Some operators use rollers or squeegees to remove excess water, but I have found that this does not help the carpet at all. Incidentally, I have had no complaints from people playing on wet carpet ! “There are many lighting fixtures used and they are all good. I use 21 750-watt bulbs under heavy shields mounted on two-inch pipe poles (two lights on each pole) connected by underground wiring to do the job. Operating cost is about $50 per month. “I have found that this lighting to the rear of my theatre also affords a dual purpose in that it gives me just about the right degree of ‘Moonlight’ which has cut down on speaker thefts 75 per cent. I also have not had a speaker pole knocked over this year as compared to ten to 12 in years past. "HAPPY WITH THE WHOLE SETUP" “Needless to say I’m very happy with the whole setup and if we can get some favorable weather next season (which we did not have this year) I hope to enjoy a very profitable season. “I have used all mediums such as newspaper ads, radio, programs and window cards to promote the golf course. I do plan to spend more money on radio next year because I have found it to be the most effective. “I have also tried several tournaments such as ‘CouplesMixed,’ ‘Father and Son,’ etc., and I plan next year to hold at least one tournament a month. There was a lot of enthusiasm over them, but I made one error in not allowing enough time for registration, and I lost some of the effectiveness. Two weeks should be allowed for people to sign up — this gives added stimulus because those registered come up regularly to practice before the tournament ! “Prizes for the first three winners are money; the next five winners receive two passes to the theatre; the next five receive two free games of golf. “I also have half-price tickets for my theatre customers which I give out nightly. The tickets are good for one round of golf at half price, and must be purchased along with a regular theatre ticket at the Del Sego Drive-In Theatre ticket office, and Continued on page 12 FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Some of the interesting and automated "hazards" in the miniature golf course and driving range adjacent to the Del-Sego Drive-In Theatre, Oneonta, N.Y. are shown here. At top, with the drive-in screen in the right background, may be seen a church and wishing well; in the center, a barn with rising and lowering door and a windmill with turning blades to shoot through; and at the bottom, an operating gristmill for a shot to the pond below. BOXOFFICE :: November 4, 1963 9