Jackson Reid
Mini golf is a recreational activity that many people enjoy casually, but it is also a legitimate professional sport. Competitive mini golf, or putt-putt, is a sport that has been around for decades, with the Professional Putters Association (PPA) being founded in 1959. The PPA has awarded over $8,000,000 in prize money over the years, with the first National Tournament Program offering $26,000 in prize money in 1960. The US ProMiniGolf Association (USPMGA) also sanctions tournaments, such as the TN Open, where players compete for a share of a $2,500 purse. Competitive mini golf exists in various forms, with different styles of courses and equipment, and it has a dedicated community of athletes who take the sport seriously.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Professional miniature golf organizations | Professional Putters Association (PPA), US ProMiniGolf Association (USPMGA), World MiniGolf Federation |
| Location | North America, Europe |
| History | PPA founded in 1959 in North Carolina; USPMGA and World MiniGolf Federation operate tournaments |
| Competition structure | National Championships, Open tournaments, Match Play Championships |
| Prize money | Varies, ranging from $26,000 to $100,000 |
| Equipment | Different types of balls with varying properties (weight, bounce, stickiness) |
| Course characteristics | Outdoor, natural grass, concrete, metal railing, wooden obstacles |
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What You'll Learn
Competitive mini-golf exists in Europe and the US
Competitive mini-golf exists in both Europe and the US, with the USPMGA (US ProMiniGolf Association) and PPA (Professional Putters Association) governing tournaments and competitions. The USPMGA is an affiliate of the World MiniGolf Federation, and the PPA was founded in 1959 by Don Clayton, the founder of Putt-Putt Golf, in North Carolina.
Tournaments and competitions are held in both regions, with the TN Open, Smoky Mountain Match Play, and the Georgia Open being examples of USPMGA-sanctioned events. The PPA has held a National Championship Tournament every year since 1959, with substantial prize money awarded to winners. In 2000, the PPA National Championship awarded $100,000 in prize money, with the first-place winner taking home $50,000.
In Europe, there are different styles of mini-golf courses, including the ""German" type with concrete, metal railings, and the "Swedish" type with green carpet and wooden obstacles. These courses are taken seriously, with players utilising different types of balls with varying properties to gain a competitive advantage.
The existence of these organisations and the substantial prize money awarded in competitions demonstrate that mini-golf is indeed a competitive sport with a dedicated following in both Europe and the US.
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The Professional Putters Association (PPA) was founded in 1959
The Professional Putters Association (PPA), originally named the Professional Putt-Putt Golfers Association, was founded in 1959 by Don Clayton, the founder of Putt-Putt Golf, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The organisation was formed to create tournaments and competitions for those who considered putting a sport.
Since its inception, the PPA has held an annual National Championship Tournament and has awarded over $8,000,000 in prize money over the last 52 years. The first National Tournament Program in 1960 offered $26,000 in prize money, and the PPA has continued to grow and gain popularity.
In 1961, the PPA hosted the first putting match ever filmed for television, the "Parade of Champions" TV series. This exposure helped to increase the visibility of the PPA and mini-golf as a competitive sport. The PPA has also expanded internationally, with the PPA TV Series being shown worldwide on ESPN in 1995.
The PPA has attracted many talented players, including Alan Quinnelly, who became the first three-time winner of the PPA National Championship in 2000 and was the sport's leading money winner at the time. Greg Ward, another notable player, was named the 1990s Putter of the Decade in 2001 and surpassed Quinnelly as the leading money winner in 2005.
The PPA continues to thrive and promote the sport of mini-golf, with tournaments open to both professionals and amateurs. It has inspired the creation of other organisations, such as the US ProMiniGolf Association, which is an affiliate of the World MiniGolf Federation, further expanding the reach and recognition of mini-golf as a competitive sport.
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The USPMGA sanctions mini-golf tournaments
Mini golf is a fun activity for people of all ages. However, it is also a legitimate sport with its own set of professional players and tournaments. The US ProMiniGolf Association (USPMGA) is the governing body that sanctions mini-golf tournaments in the United States. It is an affiliate of the World MiniGolf Federation.
The USPMGA sets the rules and guidelines for professional mini-golf tournaments, including the requirement for national pros to use a Chromax golf ball in competition. To compete in the pro division of a USPMGA-sanctioned event, players must be members of the USPMGA. These tournaments are open to everyone, with both pro and amateur divisions. For example, the TN Open is a USPMGA-sanctioned five-round mini-golf tournament with a $2,500 purse for the Pro Division and a separate three-round amateur division.
Another example of a USPMGA-sanctioned tournament is the Georgia Open, won by Rick Baird. The Smoky Mountain Match Play is another tournament that offers a $1,500 purse and spots for the top 16 players from the TN Open. These tournaments showcase the competitive nature of mini-golf and attract players from across the country.
Professional mini-golf, or ProMiniGolf, has a dedicated following, with some players even travelling internationally to compete. While the sport may have started as a leisure activity, it has evolved into a competitive arena where skill and strategy are essential. The USPMGA plays a crucial role in promoting and regulating the sport, ensuring fair play and providing a platform for players to showcase their talent.
In conclusion, the USPMGA is the authoritative body that sanctions mini-golf tournaments in the United States, setting the standards for competitive play and fostering the growth of ProMiniGolf as a legitimate sport. Their sanctioned events offer an opportunity for players to test their skills and pursue success in the world of professional mini-golf.
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Different types of mini-golf courses exist
Yes, there is such a thing as professional mini golf. The World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) sanctions official competitions, and the game has several names, including midget golf, crazy golf, adventure golf, and putter golf. The WMF currently approves four different types of mini-golf courses for competitive play:
- Beton (abbreviated B), also called Bongni or Abteilung 1, is named after Paul Bongni of Geneva, Switzerland.
- Eternite (abbreviated E or in Sweden, EB), also known as Europabana, Miniaturgolf, or Abteilung 2.
- Felt (abbreviated F or SFR), sometimes referred to as Swedish felt runs.
- Minigolf Open Standard (abbreviated MOS), a non-standardized playing system that covers all mini-golf courses that the previous three standardized systems do not.
International competitions are typically held on two 18-hole courses, one eternite, and the other usually concrete, or less commonly, felt. In addition to these standardized courses, there are also natural grass courses with tournaments that require actual putting skills.
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Mini-golf tournaments offer prize money
Mini golf is a sport that is enjoyed by many people, and it also has a competitive side to it. There are mini-golf tournaments that offer prize money, which can be a great incentive for those who are skilled at the game. These competitions can be a fun way to showcase one's putting skills and strategy on a miniature course.
The US ProMiniGolf Association, an affiliate of the World MiniGolf Federation, organises various events with cash prizes. For example, the TN Open is a five-round tournament with a $2,500 purse for the Pro Division. The Smoky Mountain Match Play offers a similar purse of $1,500 for the top 16 players. These tournaments are open to everyone, but to play in the pro division, one must be a member of the USPMGA.
Other organisations, such as the American Mini Golf Alliance, also host competitions with prize money. The Rosebud Open, for instance, had a cash purse of $2,270, and the Looniest Mini Golf Open had a cash prize for the winner, along with trophies for the top three places. These tournaments often have divisions for amateurs and professionals, with separate prizes for each level.
The entry fees for these mini-golf tournaments vary, typically ranging from $35 to $40, and sometimes include additional benefits like free golf before the event or a complimentary meal. Some competitions also offer unique prizes beyond cash, such as VIP concert tickets or golf equipment.
While the prize money in mini-golf tournaments may not be as substantial as in some other professional sports, it is clear that there is a dedicated community of competitive mini-golf players who take part in these events. These competitions provide an opportunity for players to test their skills, socialise with fellow enthusiasts, and, of course, vie for those top spots and cash rewards.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mini-golf is a professional sport with its own associations, such as the Professional Putters Association (PPA) and the US ProMiniGolf Association, which is an affiliate of the World MiniGolf Federation.
The Professional Putters Association (PPA) is one of the oldest professional mini-golf associations, having been started in 1959 by Don Clayton, the founder of Putt-Putt Golf, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The US ProMiniGolf Association is another example of a professional mini-golf association and is affiliated with the World MiniGolf Federation.
Some examples of professional mini-golf tournaments include the PPA National Championship, the PPA World Match Play Championship, and the TN Open. These tournaments offer substantial prize money, with the PPA having awarded over $7,500,000 to $8,000,000 in the past 52 years.
