CAROLINA BEACH — A new attraction is coming to the beach just in time for tourist season: 18 holes of mini-golf.
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Surf’s Up will open in the next three months, according to entrepreneur Mike Matsinger. He and Marie McCarthy are behind the operation and have been planning it for more than a year. The two began working together in the last two decades, as Matsinger owns an entertainment venture that brings poker and trivia leagues to taverns nationwide; he also runs a board game business.
The two considered bringing the course both on and off the island but landed at 1360 Bridge Barrier Road, behind Food Lion and Walgreens when entering over Snow’s Cut Bridge. Matsinger was drawn to it due to its highly trafficked visibility and being so close to where tourists often go for groceries during vacation.
“And we love being on the island,” Matsinger said, who also lives on Pleasure Island. “We really want to become part of the community and wanted to bring something that fit in with the island and was family-friendly.”
The course is designed by Harris Golf and built by Nipper Construction. It won’t be flat but have rolling hills that wind through the 18 holes, with a 12-foot waterfall and 15-foot animatronic octopus, KiKi the Kraken, whose tentacles are motorized. Matsinger said a 5-foot sea turtle that moves will be positioned on the course as well.
The goal is to make it an experiential attraction, with the sound of waves roaring through speakers, since it’s not located beachside, as people approach through a tropical walkway. There will be blue turf on the course and vintage surfboards speckled throughout, as well as a 1974 Volkswagen Bug. Even the holes will be named after surf terms, such as “riptide.”
“We wanted an old-school surfing vibe,” Matsinger said.
An 800-square-foot tiki hut will welcome players to grab their clubs and on the other side will be the Shaka Shack — a bar serving wine and beer, mostly made up of local craft brews, and shaved ice for kids. Some snacks — chips, pretzels, protein bars and the like — will be sold and the bar will have a patio with seating.
“I’m a lifelong entrepreneur,” Matsinger said, who began brainstorming before other mini-golf courses began popping up on the island. The Putter Pub opened last March at 801 Joseph St. and Shipwrecked Neon Mini Golf, an indoor course located at 1204 N. Lake Park Blvd., opened last summer.
Matsinger said Surf’s Up will work with Shipwrecked to host leagues in spring and fall, with players going between both courses.
It will be available to book for parties and public events are also planned for the site, including DJ Thursdays and Parrothead Sundays, featuring music by Jimmy Buffett, on the Lifeguard House deck.
Charity events will be frequent as well, with proceeds benefitting island nonprofits.
“Giving back is a huge part of our mission,” Matsinger said. “Every day will be Round Up for Ocean Cure, where guests can round up their total to donate to an amazing cause,” he said.
Ocean Cure offers free surfing lessons to people with disabilities or other challenges and hosts surf camps annually. It also offers beach wheel chairs, has installed accessible flooring at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk, and provides adaptive surf boards.
Surf’s Up Mini Golf will open daily at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends. Rates are still being assessed but will be competitive, Matsinger said.
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