THE GOLF COURSE BUILT BY MOE SIFTON AND BRAYL COPP CELEBRATES ITS 35TH YEAR.

LONDON, 1998 -East Park Golf Gardens is more than a great place for family fun, it is rich with local history. First opened to the public in 1963, East Park was one of the first golf courses that offered access to people from au walks of life.

Well known London home builder, Roy James, and his partners, Moe Sift on of Sifton Properties, Brayl Copp of Copp's Build-All, along with a number of other partners, purchased the East Park site from the Brandon family in 1963. After adding an additional 9 holes to the golf course, these industry leaders opened the facility to the public. The tradition of improving the facilities year after year has been continued by the current owners.

East Park's first golf pro was Bob Martin, well known today in London as "Mr. Golf." In 1965, Martin oversaw the installation of East Park's first miniature golf course. The course started as a result of the American Miniature Golf Association's attempt to establish a "PGA for mini-golf."

That same year, Bob Martin began Saturday Night Golf Demonstrations, a tradition that continued for more than a decade. Many still recall Bob's trick shots. Neil kapp, one of East Park's owners, recalls one story, "a women talked about how amazed she was when Bob stepped up and said 'see that tree with the V,' and then proceeded to hit the ball right through it."

Other great golfers have visited East Park over the years. In the 1 970s, Canadian legend, Moe Norman, set the course record of 57, a record that still stands today. The Pro-Ettes Golf League will celebrate its 25th Anniversary this year. Every Tuesday, you'll still find more than 75 women on the links at East Park.

Other exciting developments occurred over the years. In 1981, a new water slide was opened and a go-karl track made its debut in 1982. In 1990, East Park introduced its popular Family Fun Pass, providing access to the Park's full range of activities. Their Junior G off Day Camp continues to be a major success.

This year, East Park marks its 35th year with a major renovation of the existing mini-golf course, along with the development of an all-new mini-golf course. And for golfers, East Park is introducing Electric Power Carts on the par 62 executive golf course.

In looking back, Kapp said, "It's hard to imagine that over 35 years more than one million golfers have played the East Park course. And then you think of all the kids that have used our water slides and go-carts, and you realize that East Park is a part of the city.

It's also nice to know East Park has continued to fulfill the vision of the founders, providing lots of things to do for lots of different kinds of people."

East Park Golf Gardens is located on Hamilton Road in London, just east of Highbury. In addition to an 18 hole executive golf course, East Park features a driving range, mini golf, batting cages, a water slide and go-cart track.