Results
When it rains, it pours, at least that has been the case the last couple of times weather showed up at the Farmington Miniature Golf tournament. In a repeat of the 2024 event, rain rolled in during the first round and stuck around until nearly the end of the three round event. The rain left wet putters, wet carpets and wet scorecards in its wake. It isn't a surprise that when the weather is such a big part of an event that the more experienced minigolfers rose to the top with the top 5 spots all being winners of Connecticut tournaments and 3 of them past winners of the Farmington tournament.
Leading the pack was a new winner, Dave Vayda, who played steady through the rain and pulled ahead to win by seven strokes. Former winner Pat Sheridan shot a tournament low 35 in the first round and tied for second with Dylan Koerner who he had beaten once before for one of his three titles. Right behind them was Josh Kestenbaum who won the last rain-soaked running in 2024 and clearly knows how to play the changing conditions. Justin Seymour, another previous winner, rounded out the Top 5.
This tournament gives additional prizes for the bottom half of the field, determining a cut line that is usually around the course par for 3 rounds. Topping that portion of the field was Michael Seymour, coming in at a 145, beating Chase Lagano by one stroke.
A fun fact for the prizes this year was that every monetary prize include 45 cents in honor of the 45th anniversary!
Tournament Info
AMA Scoring Tier & Region: Red | Northeast
Rounds: 3
Time: Sign-in and warm-up starts - 7:00 | Tournament start - 7:30am
Format: Individual Stroke Play
Course(s) Played: Only one course - Farmington Mini Golf
Divisions: Pro
Entry Fee: $35 (advance) & $40 (day of registration)
Registration: In-person. Registration form and info will be updated on their tournament site closer to the date
Overall Purse:~$200 (variable based on number of players)
Ball: House golf ball only (and will be provided by the course)
Exception from Standard AMA Rules:
Players can use their putters but as per tradition, all putters must use a house ball for the competition.
All balls are in play during rounds. Players may accept new position or replace position if their ball is hit.
Players must use tee mats
Additional Details
Top prize in recent years has been $100 and we expect it to be the same, paying down to 3rd place. The field is separated in half to give prizes in a lower division as well. There are usually other prizes around aces on certain holes.
The tournament features a mix of locals and regional professionals and is one of the longest running in America. Last year’s field featured 43 putters.
The tournament record for 3 rounds is 106 and no player has shot all three rounds under 36 in the tournament’s history.
A portion of the registration fee and the bonus ball money will be donated to the Jimmy Fund/ UCONN Children Cancer Fund
Stayed turned for more details that will be on the tournament website.
For inquiries email Pat at pat@theputtingpenguin.com
The Putting Penguin did a walkthrough of each lane in 2024 on their YouTube channel. Lane 1 is below and see their playlist for more on the course.