OUR STORY
The Putt District was established in November of 2017 with a mission of supplying family-fun entertainment to the Minot and surrounding communities. However, before it was opened, there was much more of a tale that needs to be told. The story of The Putt District is a story of friends, family, and the community coming together to create and support an idea to bring entertainment to Minot’s downtown.
During the summer of 2015, 2016, and 2017, downtown Minot began construction on the roads which devastated the downtown business community. Many businesses had to close their doors or move locations. In an effort to boost morale and reenergize the downtown business community, it was the owners of The Putt District’s mission to assist in revitalizing by bringing a family-fun center in the heart of downtown.
The vision of ‘The Putt District’ started with Eric Thoemke, Matthew Maldonado, and Scott Gordon (the artist of The Putt District) over a casual dinner and laughs.
From that moment forward, they began the work on the Putt District. They also added additional team players, Jacob Collins and Pat Callendar (the craftsmen of the course), and Amy Jenkins (run HR). Everyone worked hand-in-hand in creating The Putt District facility.
On behalf of the ownership and the staff of The Putt District, we are honored to bring something like this to the Minot community. We are grateful for the undeniable support. It is truly overwhelming!
ABOUT SCOTT GORDON (THE ARTIST)
Scott Gordon was born and raised in Dickinson, North Dakota. He spent one year in Minot, North Dakota before moving to Denver, Colorado and finally back to Minot, where he currently resides.
Scott is a self-taught artist, primarily working with mediums such as graphite and colored pastel pencils but has most recently been venturing into large scale murals using acrylic and spray paint. Scott’s art is predominantly from his mind, influenced by artists such as Salvador Dali and Rafal Olbinski. The way Rafal and Dali take the focal point and fold hidden meanings into them play a large part in Scott’s art.
Gordon’s pieces all have a few things in common. You will see an abundance of color using vast levels of contrast in order to make the colors pop with merely no dead space on the piece, allowing the viewers eyes to travel from edge-to-edge finding something new every time you look at them. Scott’s overall goal is to challenge the human mind and creativity, allowing the artist in everyone who sees his work to interpret the art in their own way.
TIMELINE
AUGUST 2017
The idea of creating a miniature golf course in Minot, North Dakota became real. Owners Eric Thoemke, Matthew Maldonado, and Scott Gordon named the miniature golf course "The Putt District" over a casual dinner.
SEPTEMBER 2017
The logo was finalized and The Putt District officially became a business.
OCTOBER 2017
The Putt District signed a lease in the old Otis & James Photography building in downtown Minot, North Dakota.
Scott Gordon, local artist and general manager, began artwork and Minot Mobile Contracting began course construction.
NOVEMBER 2017
The course and artwork were completed in less than 6 months and The Putt District was officially opened on November 17th, 2017.