Al Fister – Memphis Flyer

Al and Susie Fister

Back in the 1960s and ’70s, one of the most popular places in town was an amusement center on South Perkins called Al’s Golfdom. Don’t let the name fool you. There was a heckuva lot more than just golf here. In addition to the fine driving range and a pair of fancy 18-hole miniature golf courses (complete with odd critters), Al’s had baseball batting cages, go-karts, a giant slide, a concession stand, picnic tables, rides for the little kids, and more. During the winter, Al’s even sold Christmas trees. Maybe some of you bought yours there?

The sprawling place on South Perkins (just about where the Mall of Memphis stood for years) was so popular that owners Al and Susie Fister opened another one on Raines Road, called Al’s Golfhaven.

I’ve previously told the story of Al’s Golfdom in the pages of Memphis magazine, and I sure hope you read that. But now you can learn even more about Al’s, and see tons of vintage photos and old TV commercial’s, on the December edition of the WKNO-TV (Channel 10) show Southern Routes, hosted by my good pal, Bonnie Kourvelas.

It airs Monday, December 13th, at 6:30 pm on Channel 10. If you miss it (or just want to watch it again and again) the show repeats on Saturday, December 18th, at 2:30 pm and again on Sunday, December 19th at 12 noon.

Here are a few shots of Al and Susie, taken in the 1980s at Al’s Golfhaven. It was quite a place.

Al Fister at Golfhaven in the 1980s

The Golfhaven Snack Bar

The go-kart track at Al’s Golfhaven

Al’s Golfhaven in the 1980s

PHOTOS COURTESY AL AND SUSIE FISTER

Al and Susie Fister in the 1980s

For years and years, the place to “hang out” in East Memphis was Al’s Golfdom, and in Whitehaven it was Al’s Golfhaven, both owned and operated by Al and Susie Fister (shown here).

The Fisters moved to Memphis in 1960, hoping to open a driving range, since (hard to believe) our city didn’t have one. They scouted around and purchased a cotton field on South Perkins and opened the Golfdom complex. It was slow going at first, but within a few years, they had expanded — adding a pair of nice miniature golf courses, snack bar, batting cages, go-karts, and a giant slide. Al’s became so popular that it stayed open 24 hours a day. During the winter, they even sold Christmas trees. When celebrities came to town — Lee Trevino, Bob Hope, and others — they headed out to Al’s to practice their swing.

In 1965, Al expanded his operation, buying up 20 acres of farmland on Raines Road, right by the expressway, and opening Al’s Golfhaven, a somewhat larger version of the place on Perkins.

Remember the red tractor that picked up the golf balls? The driver was protected by a cage, but he became a moving target whenever he ventured out into the big field.

I could tell you more about both places here, but I won’t. Instead, you must go out and purchase the October issue of Memphis magazine, where you can read the whole thrilling story, beginning on page 58. You’ll be glad you did, I assure you.

ALL IMAGES COURTESY AL AND SUSIE FISTER