M.C. Mini Masters
Encyclopedia
The M.C. Mini Masters is an amateur miniature golf tournament affiliated with the United States ProMiniGolf Association (USPMGA). Founded in 1997, the tournament has been held annually since. It has a format unique to miniature golf tournaments, whether professional or amateur, in that each round of the tournament is played on a different course. Despite this, the entire six-round event is completed in approximately thirteen hours from tee-off to completion, using six different courses in southeast Wisconsin and northeast Illinois.
In 2005, the tournament hosted a professional division for the first time, but due to some turnover in the offices of the USPMGA, the Pro Division did not continue in 2006. The M.C. Mini Masters has made a commitment to remain strictly amateur in the future.
Tournament director Mick Cullen announced in March 2007 that Libertyville, the closing course of the Mini Masters for four of five years from 2002-2006, would have to be replaced because the course had been sold to a developer who planned to level it in August 2007 and use it for another purpose. The sale fell through and the course remains intact but closed. In April 2008, Cullen announced that Par-King in Lincolnshire, IL
would be the closing course for the next installment of the tournament. The final two rounds in 2008 were played at the 36-hole format of Par-King, with round five taking place on the Black Course and the sixth and final round on the Red Course. The other course that has been eliminated from the lineup is Kristof's in Round Lake Beach, Illinois.
Changes continued in 2009 as Congo River in Kenosha, Wisconsin
closed and was demolished so an automobile dealership could be built in its place. Congo River had hosted the opening round of the tournament every year since its inception. Their closing left Kenosha's Action Territory as the only course to be included in every installment of the M.C. Mini Masters. Replacing Congo River was Sisolak's West, as the course that had been shuttered since 2004 reopened under new ownership, but was only able to prepare one 18-hole course in time for the tournament. Tom Schweiss won the 2009 installment of the tournament to become only the second competitor to win back-to-back titles. Schweiss's three career titles are also second-most all-time (tied with Matthew Cullen), trailing only Michael Cullen's six. In 2011, tournament founder Mick Cullen stepped down as director, ceding control of the event to Michael and Matthew Cullen. Mick went on to win the 2011 edition of the tournament with a record low total of 236 (34 under par), taking his second Mini Masters title.
The 2012 M.C. Mini Masters is scheduled for Saturday, June 30.
In 2005, the tournament hosted a professional division for the first time, but due to some turnover in the offices of the USPMGA, the Pro Division did not continue in 2006. The M.C. Mini Masters has made a commitment to remain strictly amateur in the future.
Tournament director Mick Cullen announced in March 2007 that Libertyville, the closing course of the Mini Masters for four of five years from 2002-2006, would have to be replaced because the course had been sold to a developer who planned to level it in August 2007 and use it for another purpose. The sale fell through and the course remains intact but closed. In April 2008, Cullen announced that Par-King in Lincolnshire, IL
Lincolnshire, Illinois
Lincolnshire is a village in the Vernon Township region of Lake County, in the U.S. state of Illinois. The village is a suburb of Chicago, a city in the adjacent Cook County. Its population was 6,108 at the time of the 2000 census. Lincolnshire was incorporated on August 5, 1957, from the...
would be the closing course for the next installment of the tournament. The final two rounds in 2008 were played at the 36-hole format of Par-King, with round five taking place on the Black Course and the sixth and final round on the Red Course. The other course that has been eliminated from the lineup is Kristof's in Round Lake Beach, Illinois.
Changes continued in 2009 as Congo River in Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Kenosha is a city and the county seat of Kenosha County in the State of Wisconsin in United States. With a population of 99,218 as of May 2011, Kenosha is the fourth-largest city in Wisconsin. Kenosha is also the fourth-largest city on the western shore of Lake Michigan, following Chicago,...
closed and was demolished so an automobile dealership could be built in its place. Congo River had hosted the opening round of the tournament every year since its inception. Their closing left Kenosha's Action Territory as the only course to be included in every installment of the M.C. Mini Masters. Replacing Congo River was Sisolak's West, as the course that had been shuttered since 2004 reopened under new ownership, but was only able to prepare one 18-hole course in time for the tournament. Tom Schweiss won the 2009 installment of the tournament to become only the second competitor to win back-to-back titles. Schweiss's three career titles are also second-most all-time (tied with Matthew Cullen), trailing only Michael Cullen's six. In 2011, tournament founder Mick Cullen stepped down as director, ceding control of the event to Michael and Matthew Cullen. Mick went on to win the 2011 edition of the tournament with a record low total of 236 (34 under par), taking his second Mini Masters title.
The 2012 M.C. Mini Masters is scheduled for Saturday, June 30.
M.C. Mini Masters champions
- 1997: Michael Cullen
- 1998: Michael Cullen
- 1999: Michael Cullen
- 2000: Michael Cullen
- 2001: Matthew Cullen
- 2002: Mick Cullen
- 2003: Tom Schweiss
- 2004: Michael Cullen
- 2005 (Amateur Division): R.J. Dusak
- 2005 (Pro Division): Gary Shiff
- 2006: Michael Cullen
- 2007: Matthew Cullen
- 2008: Tom Schweiss
- 2009: Tom Schweiss
- 2010: Matthew Cullen
- 2011: Mick Cullen
Currently used courses
- Action Territory (1997-present)
- Lighthouse (1997-2004, 2006-present)
- Sisolak's Golfarama (West Course 1997-2003, 2009-present; East Course 1997-2003)
- Par King (both the Black and Red Courses) (2008-present)
Previously used courses
- BallybunionBallybunionBallybunion or Ballybunnion is a coastal town and seaside resort in County Kerry, Ireland, from the town of Listowel. There are castle ruins near the town, although all that remains is a single wall, and two golf courses in the area including the famous Ballybunion Golf Club, a top class Links...
(2004-2005) - Congo River (1997-2008)
- Kristof's (1997-2001, 2004-2007)
- Libertyville Sports Complex (2002-2007)
- Rocky's Fun House, formerly known as Monster Golf or People's Choice (2005-2009)