Historical November–December 2023 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Joe Edwards’ latest project, Magic Mini Golf, opened on Friday, October 20 in the Delmar loop.
The 9,500-squarefoot all-seasons venue features 18 holes of miniature golf designed by Joe and neighbor (and my husband) Andy Cross, two full-size shuffleboard courts, a five-car Ferris wheel, and basketball arcade games, as well as food, a full bar, and a stage and screen for live entertainment or private events.
The venue is heralded by an award-winning 27-foot tall animated neon sign designed by Joe and Hope Edwards. Inside are hand painted shuffleboard courts and the 18-hole golf course that features magic themes and Delmar inspired themes including the Moonrise Hotel, Blueberry Hill, the St. Louis Walk of Fame, Chuck Berry, a Magic Circus, a Sunken Pirate Ship, and even a ‘Delmarado’. Andy and Joe Edwards have been designing the golf course for many months and Andy has been fabricating the holes for nearly a year. Magic Mini Golf also has a “Magic Wedding Chapel”, making it a unique place in St. Louis for weddings and vow renewals.
The entire staff is ordained and can legally officiate weddings! Magic Mini Golf offers house-made pizzas (including vegan), grilled cheese sandwiches, appetizers, desserts, and more.
They also have a full bar with signature cocktails currently including the Houdini Martini, the Presto G&T, and the White Rabbit as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Edwards envisioned a space similar to his previous projects, inspired by nostalgic games, where all types of people could get together. “A place where people can enjoy themselves and put their troubles behind them for a couple hours, whether it’s a date night or grandparents and grandkids or a business group,” Edwards says.
On a personal note, this is the first time that I have watched a project of this scale from concept to completion (although if you go to the golf course you will probably see Andy improving the course for months to come).
There are so many components that I had never even conceived of like lighting a sleeping dragon or getting Chuck Berry’s Duck Walk to look great when you are given a pre-made mechanism. Andy’s was just a part of the overall concept, but he put his heart and soul into it.
I can’t imagine the years of sleepless nights that Joe Edwards had.
I hope that your enjoyment can in some way match my pride when you go play golf.
Original photograph caption
Magic Mini Golf grand opening neon sign.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2023.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2023_11.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
