Today, we’re taking a tee-rific swing into the 92-year history of Cool Crest Miniature Golf in the Alamo City. It’s one of the oldest continuously operated miniature golf courses in the world.
This local spot holds a special place in many of our hearts — Think: Sunday fundays with the family or date nights with your San Antonio sweetie — so, we thought we’d go down memory lane and revisit the origins of this iconic putt-putt paradise.
⛳ A hole-in-one history timeline
- Cool Crest opened its doors for business in 1929 right before the first Great Depression and also during the beginning of the miniature golf craze in the US.
- In 1937, Harold Metzger and his wife, Maria, leased the property from the initial owners who had built the original 18-hole course made out of mostly wooden rails lining the airways.
- The Metzgers added a second 18-hole course in 1959 and re-engineered the original one, using concrete as its structural foundation.
- After the passing of Mr. Metzger in 1998, Mrs. Metzger ran the business until she closed its doors in 2008.
- In 2013, the Andry family from San Antonio purchased the business with plans to restore the golf course to its original beauty.
- The renovated golf course finally reopened in 2016 for miniature golf enthusiasts all over to enjoy.
⛳ Putt-worthy facts
- On the 1929 course at hole 18, there is a small gravestone where Mrs. Metzger’s beloved dog, Pidlepadle, is buried — the pup lived to be 19 years old.
- The course has nearly 800 banana trees on site which are cut down during winter and are allowed to grow back in the spring.
- In 2009, The San Antonio Historic and Design Commission voted to designate Cool Crest a historically significant site.
- Lastly, in the fall of 2020, the Metzger Biergarten opened and was named after the original owners — it sits where the Metzgers’ house once was.
Cool Crest also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Click the button below to learn more about some of our favorite happenings this month.
⛳ Upcoming events
- The Smokin Wok | Fri., April 29 | 5-10 p.m. | Metzger Biergarten | Free entry | Enjoy a blend of Asian cuisine + Texas barbecue all while listening to live music from the Benny Hart Band.
- Plant & Craft Good Market | Sat., May 7 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Metzger Biergarten | Free entry | Sip some craft beer and shop locally made + grown products followed by a round of mini golf.
- Los Callejeros de San Anto | Fri., May 27 | 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. | Metzger Biergarten | Free entry | Experience a live performance from this local Tex-Mex band + enjoy delicious food from So Tex BBQ.