The magic goes away. It's a phenomenon that we often hear about in stories and folklore. The idea that something that was once enchanting and awe-inspiring can suddenly lose its spark and become ordinary or even mundane. The concept of magic is deeply ingrained in human culture. It captivates our imagination and fills us with wonder and amazement. Yet, despite its allure, the magic we seek can sometimes vanish before our very eyes.
Bill was no stranger to the business. He had built 13 miniature golf courses with uncles and brothers in the California cities of Alameda, Lake Berryessa, Bakersfield (an indoor course), Pinole and Konocti Harbor, then in Key West, Biloxi and Galveston. Family members ran all of those except for the ones in Konoti and Bakersfield.
In 1972, Bill and Mary Koplin built Magic Carpet Golf on land they purchased from Marjorie Springmeyer adjacent to what was once the South Lake Tahoe amusement park. He had built 13 miniature golf courses with uncles and brothers in the California cities of Alameda, Lake Berryessa, Bakersfield an indoor course , Pinole and Konocti Harbor, then in Key West, Biloxi and Galveston.
Yet, despite its allure, the magic we seek can sometimes vanish before our very eyes. There are several reasons why the magic goes away. One possibility is that we become too familiar with the extraordinary.
Family business in same South Lake Tahoe location for 43 years
What would you do if you had a family miniature golf business you wanted to pass onto your four children? Build three more, of course!
In 1972, Bill and Mary Koplin built Magic Carpet Golf on land they purchased from Marjorie Springmeyer adjacent to what was once the South Lake Tahoe amusement park. Marjorie had overheard Bill and his real estate agent talking in a local restaurant about Bill's plans for building the course. "I have a piece of property I can sell you," Marjorie told them.
At the time there was a gas station on the corner of Lodi and Highway 50, so the minigolf course was built on the land in-between the amusement park and the station. Years later the Koplins bought the land where the gas station was and expanded their parking area and home above the course.
Bill was no stranger to the business. He had built 13 miniature golf courses with uncles and brothers in the California cities of Alameda, Lake Berryessa, Bakersfield (an indoor course), Pinole and Konocti Harbor, then in Key West, Biloxi and Galveston. Family members ran all of those except for the ones in Konoti and Bakersfield.
In 1948 he built a popular course along the Russian River where he raised his family, one that daughter Karen has very fond memories of.
"Those were great times," said Karen. "All the kids hung out there."
In 1970, Bill and Mary bought property at Carnelian Bay and build the first Lake Tahoe area Magic Carpet Golf. This course was for his son Bill, Jr. who still operates the course.
Then came 1972 and South Lake Tahoe. Daughter Peggy was given this course to run.
In 1974 they added a Reno location for daughter Jeanne, who, you guessed it, still runs the place.
Daughter Karen operated the Russian River property until 1992 when she switched locations with Peggy and moved to South Lake Tahoe. Cal Trans bought the Russian River course in 1994 due to a freeway planned for the property.
Karen and her husband Gino Franceschi live most of the year above the Magic Carpet Golf on the corner of Lodi and 50, then head off the hill from time to time to their other home in Forestville, CA.
Their children, all now adults, have grown up at Magic Carpet. Though none of them live in South Lake Tahoe year round, they all come to town for the summer along with their own children to help run the family business.
Karen and Gino have four children, Tony, Nicki, Karey and Gina. They are also grandparents to ten. At any time you'll be sure to find one of them working the front counter at Magic Carpet. They also hire local teens to help out in the summer since the course is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The family truly does enjoy family time, no matter how many are in town.
Son Tony is a high school baseball coach and brings the team to South Lake Tahoe to play during the summer. The team camped out at the golf course over the 4th of July weekend.
"It's not a bad place to be," said Karen. She still plays the Magic Carpet course a couple of times a week as well as hitting the "real" golf courses. When asked what her best score has been at Magic Carpet, she said a 27 on the 18 hole course. You have to be awfully good to get a hold in one on each hole Karen said, adding that she hasn't seen that done before on her course.
Her grandson Nicholas who is a senior in high school wants to make "real" golf a career and currently works at a course.
Karen enjoys the generations of families she's seen go through Magic Carpet. "We're now seeing third and fourth generations here," she said. "They look forward to the tradition when they're in Lake Tahoe."
This year the family business has been the seen of many family reunions as well, many with 20-30 people playing together.
"I'm a people person," said Karen. "I enjoy watching people have fun." Her dad Bill was also a people person and very family oriented.
By trade he was a welder and trained a wartime generation of female welders made famous by the cultural icon Rosie the Riveter.
Magic Carpet is open Spring through Fall, and with weather permitting, winter too. Last year they were open some days in December and February.
All locals get a discount, so make sure to mention you're from South Lake Tahoe the next time you play either one of the two 19-hole courses, or the 28-hole course. They are located at 2455 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
This year the family business has been the seen of many family reunions as well, many with 20-30 people playing together.
When something becomes a regular part of our lives, it can lose its luster. We no longer view it with the same sense of awe and wonder that we once did. It becomes mundane and ordinary. Another reason the magic goes away is that we may simply outgrow it. As we mature and gain more life experience, our perception of what is magical and extraordinary may change. What once filled us with excitement and wonder may no longer hold the same appeal. Additionally, the magic goes away when it becomes predictable. If we can anticipate the outcome or the experience, it loses its sense of mystery and enchantment. The unexpected and the unknown are what make something magical. Once we can explain or understand it, the magic dissipates. Furthermore, the magic goes away when we lose our sense of curiosity and imagination. When we stop seeking out new experiences and ideas, we limit our ability to find wonder and enchantment in the world around us. Our mundane routines stifle our ability to see the extraordinary in the everyday. However, while the magic may go away, it is not lost forever. It is up to us to reclaim it. We can do this by actively seeking out new experiences, embracing our curiosity, and letting our imagination run wild. We must remember that magic is not confined to the realms of folklore and fairy tales. It can be found in the simple joys of life, in the beauty of nature, and in the connections we make with others. So, when the magic goes away, let us not despair. Instead, let it serve as a reminder to look beyond the mundane and seek out the extraordinary. The magic is still there, waiting to be discovered and experienced anew. It is up to us to keep the spark alive and reignite the enchantment in our lives. The magic goes away, but it is within our power to bring it back..
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