Olivia Prokopova, prodigy mini-golfer from Czech Republic
World’s Best Take a Swing,
Rather Stroke, at First Piggy ILX Premiere Open
ILX Resorts Incorporated hosts 7th annual professional minigolf tournament,
prepares for U.S. ProMiniGolf Open in 2009
SEDONA, Ariz. – During the 19th Century, conservative social norms forbade women from performing in many physical activities, which included golf. To provide some type of entertainment to those women who became interested in the sport, St. Andrews in Scotland built an 18-hole course of putting greens, called “the Himalayas.” In 1867, members of the notable Royal & Ancient Golf Club founded the Ladies’ Putting Club becoming what is best known as the “first mini-golf course in the world.”
Since then, minigolf has seen its share of highs and lows. Courses flourished throughout America in the early 1900s, and were even built on top of New York high rises and skyscrapers. Unfortunately, during the depression, most were demolished and the sport seemed to fade into obscurity … but not for long. As a matter of fact, minigolf popularity is growing faster and further than ever these days and Sedona, in addition to many other activities, is becoming a proverbial minigolf Mecca.
Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, Los Abrigados Resort & Spa’s First Piggy Park is hosting the 7th Annual First Piggy ILX Open. For a mere $85 registration fee, people from around the world are returning once again to test their putting skills against an official course of the US ProMiniGolf Course Association and World Minigolf Sports Federation. Paticpants from as many as three continents hope to win portions of a purse totaling $10,000.
Last year, the 6th annual ILX Premiere Open took place in two locations, Roundhouse Resort in Pinetop, AZ and Los Abrigados Resort & Spa. Roundhouse Resort was the home for the first tournament, where Rainey Statum took first with a 32.62 stroke 18-hole average after 8 rounds. Statum dominated the second destination at First Piggy Park with a 29.12 average, an entire stroke ahead of his nearest competitor. The champion ended the open pocketing $3,000 in prize money, not to mention made closer friendships with competitors who traveled as far as Sweden and the Czech Republic.
Prior to this year’s event the U.S. ProMiniGolf Open will be played May 17 and 18 at Dolphin Minigolf in Boothbay, Maryland. Considered the big kahuna of all miniature sports, it not only grants a putt-putt player bragging rights for a year but automatically qualifies them for the Masters National Championship Tournament. Next year, Sedona has the privilege of being host city to the 2009 U.S. ProMiniGolf Open. First Piggy Park’s course is guaranteed to premiere the best of the world’s best.
Sunday afternoon and evening will be the highlight of minigolf greatness. Aside from putt-putt prizes starting at $2,000 and a 7-day vacation for first, $1,200 and a 5-day vacation for second and $800 and a 3-day vacation for third [money prizes decrease by $100 to 10th], there will be great gifts available at a silent auction following the “follow-through”
As mentioned earlier, miniature golf has seen its highs and lows, but historically will always remain a sporting phenomenon. Coincidentally, Northern Arizona, a diverse landscape of desert sandy washes, amber red rocks and snowy mountain peaks, is soon to be home of an escape of green-seeking single-clubbed Astroturf athletes – now that’s historical.
The Ladies’ Putting Club is still operating today, and the prestige of playing the greens is as strong as felt by the legendary golfers who have graced St. Andrews. On the other hand there are no moats, bridges or comical hazards to skirt, which is what primarily separates these two professions. It doesn’t make any one better than the other, it only proves there are truly different strokes for different folks.
For more information on how to register to play or provide sponsorship, contact Tournament Director Ivan Madar at 282-1777 ext. 7093, email imadar@ilxresorts.com or visit http://www.ilxminigolf.com.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
