My dad...

My dad is the greatest putter EVEr. Ok not quite but he is the beset I know. For years my family has enjoyed playing miniature golf at Putt-Putt Golf & Games. There is a big difference between Putt-Putt and other miniature golf establishments - simplified, standardized, engineered courses where you are guaranteed a hole-in-one if you hit the ball correctly. No windmills, no clown mouths, no imperfections in the course, no unpredictable wooden or brick rails. Just carpet-on-concrete with flat stable metal rails. Geometrically precise, all down to the laws of physics. Naturally I love it. It is a testament to how precise the courses are that it is reasonable to have tournaments where putters compete against each other. Week after week, and the scores actually mean something because the courses are standardized. Two weeks ago my dad and I went to watch one of these tournaments, and took notes on how each of the players played each hole. When I say 'each of the players' we actually only followed those who are members of the PPA - the Professional Putters Association. That's right, there is a professional assocation for people who play at Putt-Putt courses. Is there one for your local mini-putt establishment? I didn't think so. This stuff is nationwide, people.

Putt-Putt has long been a family tradition, and actually it was part of my growing up and trying to compete with my dad - because he's amazing, so I would feel inferior if I didn't do as incredibly as he did. Every hole is a par 2, so I've long been in the mindset that putting 3 times is like getting a C on a test - and for me that's as good as failing. Just like in school, I've never been able to accept an 'average' performance. And when I'm measuring up against my dad, it becomes even more of an issue. So it took a lot of psychological maturing for me to be ok playing against my dad. And I've even beaten him a couple times!

Anyhow in 1982, when my dad was 30, he played in a tournament at a Putt-Putt and he won. The trophy is still sitting on my desk (which used to be his). This past Tuesday, he went and played in another tournament. Up until now, his best score ever at any Putt-Putt was a 27 - 9 under par. The tournaments are set up in three rounds, so 54 holes total. First round he shot a 25 - besting his top score by 2 strokes - an amazing feat. Next round he shot a 31. Final round...well take a look at the picture below. That is my dad holding his first-place trophy after he shot a 23 in the final round. And on top of that, one of the pro putters set a new world record that night by scoring 65 across 54 holes.

Congratulations, dad - you're the best!