Pirates on Golf?

Okay, so I've often wondered why so many miniature golf complexes have pirate themes. Haven't you? Time and again, I see "Pirate's Cove" or "Parrot Bay" (er, that's booze, but then pirates did drink grog, so there you have it) or "Buccaneer Island" and on and on...

There's always the mandatory waterfall, cave, wrecked ship, and of course, stagnant water that attracts mosquitoes. Does the possibility of malaria make the experience more authentic?

So my question is, what the huh? I don't remember history classes on the Barbary Coast going down like this:

"Island, ho! Scoot the booty, ye old scallywags! Bring er in to starboard and anchors aweigh! First we pillage, then we plunder. Then we break out our clubs for 18 holes of putting pleasure! Cap'n calls dibs on the red ball!"

"Arrrrr!" is heard all around from the crew.

Perhaps it was a way to get back their land legs, by laying out yards of green felt and planting flags. Maybe the putter evolved from the peg leg.

Must be one of those historical accounts lost to the ages...