Walnut Creek Mini-Golf Course Makes Way For Parking Lot, Apartments

WALNUT CREEK, CA —

The owners plan to sell almost everything on the course while continuing their search for a new home.

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Putter’s Mini Golf will welcome its last golfers next month as housing plans move forward for the property and its owners continue searching for an affordable place to relocate.

The outdoor course at 1275 S. California Blvd. occupies the parking lot beside the former music store and Kentucky Fried Chicken building.

In an announcement on their website, the owners said they knew the property was destined for redevelopment when they moved in.

“While we have been searching for a new site, and will continue to do so, we have thus far been unable to find a location that suits our business and our budget,” they wrote. The deadline for that move is now Nov. 29.

The golf course will be replaced by a seven-story building with 172 rental units at the corner of South California Boulevard and Botelho Drive outlined in June 17 Design Review Commission documents.

The proposal includes demolishing the existing commercial building and constructing a three-level parking garage.

The project, called Fairfield Centre Place South, would include 26 affordable homes reserved for low- and moderate-income households, according to the agenda.

For Sean and Carolyn, the closure ends a run that began as an unexpected opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We were so lucky to get an unexpected start during covid by opening up on Locust Street and just might hold the world record for being the longest running pop-up ever,” they wrote.

They recalled watching young golfers who first arrived wearing masks become high school graduates, and guests who visited for first dates return with small children.

“We are so appreciative of everyone who has come out to play and to all the young golfers who have made us a part of their birthday celebrations,” they wrote.

Almost everything on the course will go to the highest bidder, according to the announcement.

The owners will notify winning bidders at the end of November. Interested buyers can submit offers to PuttersCountryClub@gmail.com. nItems will be available for pickup or delivery during the first week of December.