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Never putters out

A quaint miniature golf course has a quaint golf ball washer that will do its dimpled duty until the developers kick it out.

By KATHY SAUNDERS
Published May 18, 2005

TREASURE ISLAND - The ol' Maytag Repairman has had plenty of time to play golf on Treasure Island.

Since Gulf Golf miniature golf opened in 1959, groundskeepers have been washing nearly 200 balls a day in a Maytag ringer washing machine outside the front office.

The washer, which stands on four legs and has a spinner along the top, is a stone's throw from Treasure Island's sandy beach and the salty Gulf of Mexico. But the rock solid golf balls and the harsh elements of nature haven't made an impression on the porcelain machine. It keeps on spinning.

Dick Spinner (no kidding) has been general manager of the Gulf Boulevard golf course for 10 years. He knows machines. The New York native retired to Florida after a lengthy career selling business machines.

He said the late George Dewar brought the Maytag machine to Gulf Golf when he opened the business 46 years ago. The machine hasn't been moved since.

"That's just the way they made them then," said Spinner, who drains the water manually after each wash. A few years ago, Spinner replaced the machine's motor and a belt. Otherwise, it's as good as new.

Gulf Golf was sold three years ago to Treasure Island resident and businessman Bill Edwards, and Spinner acknowledged that negotiations to develop the property are ongoing. But no contracts have been signed, Spinner said. He's hoping the golf course stays open at least another eight months because he has parties booked there through the end of the year.

The golf course has a lot in common with its washing machine. It's a smooth-running 1950s attraction that still offers a bargain, at $6.10 a round. Since Spinner took over, the course has been open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

When the site is developed, Spinner hopes Big John, the 20-foot pirate, the Little Brewster Island Light House and the working water wheel can be donated to the city.

He would like to see the washing machine go to the city's historical society.

Spinner said he spoke to Maytag representatives about Gulf Golf's washer a few years ago.

"They wanted me to give it to them and I said, "No way.' "

Treasure Island Mayor Mary Maloof said she doesn't know where the city could put some of the attraction's landmarks, but it's worth considering.

Of the washing machine, she said, "Maybe we could make it some kind of memorial or something. I wonder who we could dedicate that to?"

[Last modified May 18, 2005, 00:50:19]