Results
For the 2nd year in a row, the Coziest Mini Golf Open came down to only a couple of putts! Josh Benesh shot a 3-round 90 to become the first repeat champion of the Coziest Mini Golf Open. In the first year of the tournament being multiball (aka minigolf balls were allowed), Josh won the tournament using only a golf ball. In close 2nd with a 91, Mark “Highlighter” Novicki took 2nd place and has the distinction of being the first competitor to ace #9 (Snail) in the 5-year history of the tournament. Tom Loftus started slow but finished with the low round in the 2nd (29) and 3rd (28) rounds. Kaiden High and Justin Gutche tied for 4th. Justin set the new single round record (26) in the 1st round, and Kaiden was one of only 2 competitors (along with Tom Loftus) to take only two 3s the entire tournament. Highlighter won the aces-only round with 6 aces, and in a playoff, Josh Benesh won a playoff for most aces through two rounds (10) against Justin Gutche.
In the amateur division, Trevor Born won in his first attempt in a tournament hosted by A Couple of Putts. Andrea Pendleton was only 1 stroke behind with a 71 and won the women’s division for the tournament. Owen Pendleton and Max Cullen tied for both 3rd in amateur and the junior division, so they played 2 playoffs. Max won the first playoff for the youth division on Holes #1 & #2, and Owen won the playoff for 3rd place in the amateur division on Holes #3 & #4.
Tournament Info
AMA Scoring Tier & Region: Red | Midwest
Rounds: 2 (amateur) & 3 (pro)
Time: Same Day Registration/Practice: 9 am | Tournament start: 10 am
Format: Individual Stroke Play
Course(s) Played: Only one course on site
Divisions: Pro, Amateur, Women & Youth (see below for details)
Entry Fee: Amateur: $25 (advance) | $30 (day of) & Pro: $35 (advance) | $40 (day of)
Registration: Registration Form (info on payment options on the form)
Overall Purse: $500 + custom trophies, medals, prizes
Ball: Golf balls & Minigolf balls (See below for details)
Exception from Standard AMA Rules:
House rules allow players to score a 0 on holes #5, #14, #17 & #18. Rules for scoring a zero are posted at each hole
Additional Details
5th year of this annual indoor winter tournament hosted by A Couple of Putts (Tom & Robin). A fun and friendly tournament where those competing are encouraged to wear their coziest gear (which usually means pajamas). A Couple of Putts will be providing treats, pizza, and popsicles for all players.
More specific details, course and tournament-specific rules can always be found at acoupleofputts.com/cozyopen/ including links to past tournament results.
Practice 2/20 & 2/21: Golf Zone will be offering an all-day practice for Friday (2/20) & Saturday (2/21) before the Coziest. Let the staff person know you are there for the tournament and want to pay the practice rate, which is equivalent to paying for a single round + a replay. The price is about $12.50. During practice, all players should avoid impeding the play of the public at large with their practice.
Pro division will all start at Hole #1, Amateur Division Hole #10
Tournament/Course Records: 27 (single round), 55 (2 rounds), 88 (3 rounds)
The top 12 pros after 2 rounds play a final stroke play round to determine the top 12 spots. The rest of the pro field plays an aces-only round for a separate cash prize of $40
Prizes and trophies for the top *youth and **women players.
*For competitors 15 and under. There must be at least 3 people who meet these criteria to give out this award. Scores used will be from the first two rounds in both pro and amateur divisions. Players in the top 5 of the pro division are not eligible to win the junior division, as they will get a prize for their finish in the pro division.
**For women or women-identifying competitors. There must be at least 3 people who meet these criteria to give out this award. Scores used will be from the first two rounds in both pro and amateur divisions.