This article appeared in the July 16th Issue of TV Times
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By David Maull
TV Times

When Jon Andersen and his family set about expanding an entertainment complex at the south end of Fenwick Island 14 years ago, all signs pointed in one direction - miniature golf.

"We were just feeling out the market. We realized miniature golf was the thing to be in," Andersen said.

In 1984, Andersen, his brother Tor, their father Bjorn and partner Pete Mohammadioun built a large miniature golf course at the corner of Route 54 and Coastal Highway. When they purchased an adjacent water slide three years later, the Viking Golf Theme Park was on its way.

Today, the park features the golf course, water slide, go-cart track, bumper boats, arcade and a full line of food vendors.

"It is a small amusement park," Andersen said. "We're very popular, we're very busy every night."

The Andersens first opened the park in 1982. At the time, it contained only a go-cart track and a few businesses housed in small sheds.

Two years later, the sheds were removed and the golf course constructed in that space.

Since Andersen grew up in Denmark, the Viking theme seemed logical.

"We tried to get a little piece of Europe here," he said.

Today, the golf course features a large, two-headed dragon and a series of Viking-related obstacles. It is now one of three courses located at the Route 54/Coastal Highway intersection.

In 1987, Andersen purchased a large water slide next door that had been built in the 1970s. Bumper boats and a kiddie slide were soon added.

"We're oriented toward just families," Andersen said. "They can spend a good bit of time here."

The park also has an indoor arcade and a strip of food vendors serving ice cream,snow cones, funnel cakes, french fries, pizza and famous Fisher's popcorn.

"It's a whole package deal," Andersen said of the food and amusements. "It gives people a choice of things to do."

More importantly, the Viking Theme Park is a major source of entertainment, both day and night, in a town with few other forms of family amusement.

"It's a great location," Andersen said. "It makes Fenwick a nice place to be."