Results/Recap
Mossy Creek local pro David Lanham armed with his own lime green urethane putter (yes, like the kind you find available to the public playing!) won the tournament by 7 strokes in a stacked field featuring legendary mini golfers from across the US. David was the only player to finish every round under par (36). From an outside perspective, it may have seemed like a major surprise to see a relatively unknown putter finish above some of the top names in the game, but David does hold the course record of 29 (-7). Greg Newport, a legendary putter from North Carolina, finished 2nd by a stroke over another USPMGA master’s winner Joey Graybeal. Joey played the final round of the tournament against David Lanham. Kent Cranford took 4th on his own and 2024 USPMGA US Open winner Adam Shanks tied for 5th with Tennessee based competitors Jack Taylor and Eli Janik.
In the amateur division, long-time Putt-Putt competitor (APA) Clayton Craft also won by 7 strokes in the 3-round competition with an overall +3 score (111). His scores would easily hold up in the pro division. Dale Gentry and Josiah Rosser finished tied for 2nd in the amateur division.
Vanette Block was the top women’s finisher by 1 stroke over Amanda Farahany.
60 competitors finished at least 3 rounds in hot conditions on this challenging Harris built course. 3 of the holes had multiple cup placements that were changed for the final two rounds for the pro competitors.
AMA Scoring: Blue (Scoring Details)
Format: Individual Stroke Play
Schedule
9AM to 12PM ~ Rounds 1-3 (Rolling Start for Pro & Am Divisions)
12PM ~ Lunch Break
1PM to 3PM ~ Rounds 4-5 (New pairings based on score)
Pro Division $65 (5 Rounds)
$2500 Purse (Top 15 Pay Out) and Prizes for 1st & 2nd Place
TN Open - Amateur Division $35 (3 Rounds)
Prizes and 1st & 2nd Place.
To play in the pro division, you must be a member of the USPMGA. The top 16 players will also gain a spot in the Smoky Mountain Match Play and a chance at the $1,000 purse.
In addition to being an AMA scoring opportunity, this tournament will be part of the World Minigolf Sport’s 2024-25 World Adventure Golf Tour.
August 25th is the non-AMA scoring but equally awesome Smoky Mountain Match Play event. Fee is $25 for pros and $15 for amateur competitors with a $1,500 purse. 9AM ~ Round of 16 | 10AM ~ Quarter Finals | 11AM ~ Semi Finals | Noon ~ Finals and 3rd Place Match