International Tournaments
World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF), a member of AGFIS, organises World Championships bi-annually (on odd-numbered years), while the continental championships in Europe and Asia are organized on even-numbered years. Many of these competitions are arranged for three age groups: juniors (under 20 years), adults (no age limit), and seniors (over 45 years). Men and women compete separately in their own categories, except in some team competitions and pair competitions. The difference in the playing skills of men and women is very small on top level, however: it is not unheard-of that the best player in a major international tournament is female. Typically the winner in women's category would be very close to medals also in men's category.
The reigning minigolf world champion (2011) in men's category is Walter Erlbruch of Germany, and in women's category Bianca Oberweg of Germany. In team competition the reigning world champion (2011)is Sweden in men's category and Germany in women's category. In strokeplay competition the reigning world champion (2011) in men's category is Filiph Svensson of Sweden, and in women's category Stefanie Kern of Germany.
The reigning European champion (2010) in men's category is Erik Tiekstra of the Netherlands, and in women's category Rebecca Weber of Switzerland. In team competition the reigning European champion (2010) is Germany in men's category, and Switzerland in women's category.
The most renowned annual minigolf tournament for club teams is the European Cup. The reigning champion of European Cup 2011 is Uppsala BGK of Sweden in the men's category and MGC Mainz of Germany in the women's category. World and European Championships have so far never been arranged on MOS courses (which are popular in USA and UK, and were approved by WMF for competition use only a few years ago). International competitions are typically arranged on two courses of 18 holes, of which one course is eternite, and the other course is usually concrete, less commonly felt. In the future, the WMF is expected to use also MOS courses in international championships – which will give American and British players a chance to show their skills on their own traditional course types.
The most prestigious MOS minigolf competitions in the world are US Masters, US Open, British Open, World Crazy Golf Championships and the World Adventuregolf Masters. The reigning champions are:
- US Masters 2011: Jay Klapper of USA
- US Open 2011: Olivia Prokopova of Czech Republic
- British Open 2012: Michael Smith of Great Britain
- World Crazy Golf 2012: Michael Smith of Great Britain
- British Championships 2012: Michael Smith of Great Britain
- World Adventuregolf Masters 2012: Martin Stöckle of Germany
Another miniature golf tournament is the Harris Cup in the United States. The Harris Cup, which is run by the Harris Miniature Golf Company, hands out $10,000 USD in prizes at their annual tournament. The 2007 event was held at Lahey Family Fun Park in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, and was won by Rod Miller from Columbus, Ohio.
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