Tom Wykoff built the Ermington Putt Putt course in 1969. Credit:Dallas Kilponen Mr Wykoff's Putt Putt journey began while he was running a car factory in South Africa in the 1960s. "There was nothing to do in South Africa except go to the movies," he recalled, "…so I decided I'd open up an American Putt Putt course." So he left his position at Chrysler and its hefty bonus, and pursued his Putt Putt dream. After purchasing the legal rights to "Putt Putt", a brand name for miniature golf, he introduced it to South Africa, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), South-West Africa (now Namibia), New Zealand and Australia.

Ticking away ... Putt putt at Ermington. Credit:Dallas Kilponen First he built at Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast then opened Ermington in 1969. The craze was under way. At its height there were 27 Putt Putt courses around the country. Though considered a gamble by many, Mr Wykoff used a simple philosophy to guide his many investments. The Fun Run, one of three courses on the Ermington site. Credit:Dallas Kilponen "All my life I've used American ideas in other countries. They work in the States, so I've simply brought them over here," he said.

When it came to his involvement in the building of these courses, Mr Wykoff preferred the personal touch. Advertising hoardings for apartments have gone up at Ermington Putt Putt. Credit:Dallas Kilponen "I did everything. Everything. Including the planning and construction," he said. In total he created 62 miniature golf courses; each and every one personally designed, built and opened. Mermaid Beach remains his most prized establishment, as it was the only one that he could secure land ownership.

It still stands today. By the mid-1970s miniature golf's popularity had grown so much that Mr Wykoff's courses were hosting tournaments that were $100,000 in size – approximately equivalent to $600,000 today. At Ermington, American minigolf professional Dan Ivers flew in for the Australian and New Zealand championship in 1975, the Herald reported. While a triumph in those heady days, the franchise became a victim of its own success. "Everybody copied the name. Everybody calls themselves Putt Putt and I can't stop them," Mr Wykoff said.

Miniature golf courses quickly emerged using the Putt Putt brand to replicate Mr Wykoff's business. "I tried to take legal action to keep people from doing that, but I was told that Putt Putt is now synonymous with miniature golf," Mr Wykoff said. Forty-six years since he began his Australian Putt Putt venture, Mr Wykoff has been forced to see all but his first course at Mermaid Beach close down. In 2005 he handed the business down to his children, finally stopping daily work on the course last year.

However, Parramatta Council's sale of the land to Chinese developer Aqualand for $130 million left Mr Wykoff desperately seeking relocation to keep the family business alive. Rydalmere Park was denied and Ryde Bowling Club could not offer the necessary space to include parking. Mr Wykoff – described by the Smith Journal as "Australia's Putt Putt King" – didn't go down without a fight. "It all became too much trouble for me, I'm old. I've sacrificed a year of my life to it, I'm not going to do it any more," Mr Wykoff said. He estimates Ermington Putt Putt has had more than 4 million visitors through its gates, including the likes of Delta Goodrem and Sonny Bill Williams. It has always been a beacon for the Ryde-Parramatta community.

"We have special needs groups, aged care, vacation groups, we donate to our local schools and we use our local businesses. It's a very community-minded business," manager Kim Whybro said. Sydneysiders are left with few alternatives for the family-friendly experience of minigolf. While there is an indoor putting course in Miranda, and courses in Thornleigh and Warriewood, they lack the accessibility of the more central location. These days the Putt Putt King enjoys strolling through his Ermington course, favouring the watercourse for its beautiful design and tranquil atmosphere; a blissful escape from the impending concrete jungle. "People are upset because they know they're losing something special," Mr Wykoff said. Advertising material for Park Avenue apartments, which will rise on the site, promises 60 per cent of the land will be public space.