by J. Bueker
    The American infatuation with miniature golf peaked in the 1960s and 70s, and enthusiasts on Joan De Arc Avenue had an exceptional variety of unique courses in the Valley from which to choose. A company known as Western Recreation operated several thematic miniature courses at this time, all of which have long since disappeared into mini links oblivion: Alpine Valley, which was located at 8313 North 27th Avenue; Green Gables, at 2850 North 24th Street; and Hono Lea, at 2410 West Thomas Road. Other 60s courses in Phoenix included Arnold Palmer Miniature Golf and Twin Putt Carpet Golf, both of which were located on the east side of town.

    For Joan De Arc golfers, though, the preferred choice was the relatively nearby Alpine Valley. This charming and cleverly designed course combined an atmosphere evocative of the Swiss Alps with a challenging 18 hole par 49. Each hole had a small sign gracing the tee that featured a cute little Alpine poem that gave clues to the best strategy for playing the hole in question. Some of the more memorable holes at Alpine Valley included a church in the mountains with three separate slots at which to aim, the requisite turning windmill hole and a challenging par 4 that involved up to three separate descending greens, depending on the accuracy of the tee shot.

     The "19th" hole at Alpine Valley existed solely for the purpose of collecting the player's ball at the end of the round. The object was to hit the ball up an incline and curve it to the right, where a large clown's mouth awaited a skillful shot. A successful attempt was rewarded with a free game, although this was a curiously infrequent experience. Metal grill fencing prevented the ethically challenged sportsman from simply dropping the ball into the clown's gaping maw to snag a free round. Alpine Valley also featured an exceptional game room with some truly excellent old pinball machines for the golfer's post round enjoyment.

    The beginning of the end for Alpine Valley and its brethren was the emergence in 1970 of the Putt Putt miniature courses, which have since abandoned Arizona completely. Although relatively bland and generic, the Putt Putt courses were extremely popular and provided stiff competition for the Western Recreation courses throughout the 70s. Sadly, the charming, thematic Western Rec courses went belly-up in the late 70s and early 80s, leaving an entertainment dearth in Phoenix that can never be replaced. Many of us will continue to remember, however, those carefree summer evenings in Phoenix when miniature golf truly reigned supreme.

by J. Beaver
    Summer fun on Joan De Arc Avenue has taken many various forms over the years, but few as unique and memorable as the strange and slightly dangerous outdoor water toy known as the "Water Wiggle." This ingenious and cheerfully goofy garden hose powered device was manufactured by the folks at Wham-O, the same people who brought the world such other youthful pastimes as the Slip 'n Slide, the Frisbee, the Hula Hoop and Superball. For kids with cheap parents who refused to provide a swimming pool or other similar water-based facility, the Water Wiggle was a godsend, providing many hours of mindless backyard fun during the long, hot days of summer. Once the water was turned on, the Water Wiggle would come to life, streaking in all directions and spraying a continuous stream of water from beneath its orange plastic head, while the participants would squeal and dance wildly, seeking simultaneously to avoid the wet menace and engage it. Such fun, and so much more challenging than the traditional "running through the sprinkler" nonsense! Red stringy hair and a comical bucktooth grin only served to enhance the endearing charm of this wet and wild icon of 60s childhood. The Water Wiggle was recalled and production suspended in the April, 1978 after a few unfortunate drowning fatalities, but this seems a very small price to pay for the endless hours of wet summer fun that the baby boomers enjoyed for so many years throughout the 60s and 70s with the wacky, wonderful Water Wiggle.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________JDA
 

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