20 Sep 2009 at 15:14 | Published by: JJM | Views: 9631 | News search

2008 champion Lacey looking as Varnadore takes a hole-in-one.  (Photo by Honza Prokop 2009)

Tony Varnadore won the 50th PPA National Championships in Orlando, Florida (USA), with average score 24.33 after 12 competition rounds. 8 points behind Varnadore came Greg Newport in second place (average 25.00), and one point behind Newport Daryl Freeman in third place (average 25.08).

Total prize purse in the competition was some 16,000 USD (11,000 EUR) plus amateurs 1,600 USD (1,100 EUR), which was divided quite democratically between the 32 best pro players and 16 best amateurs. The first prize in pro category was 1750 USD (1200 EUR). Highlights from the competition will be shown on the American Golf Channel, in the "Golf Central" show on 20 September 2009.

PPA does not promote women’s minigolf as a separate category, but they have historically given the title "PPA Putting Queen" to the best female player. This year the best female player, PPA Putting Queen 2009, was Olivia Prokopová (Czech Republic), ranked 34th in pro category with average 27.25. Second best woman was Robin Ventura, 4 points behind Prokopová, ranked 42nd in pro category with average 27.58. No other women played in the pro category.

Bonnie White was the third best female player, ranked 3rd in amateurs category, with average 28.13 in 8 rounds. Bonnie White is the only female player in PPA history since 1960 who has won a National Champion title in the mixed competition of men and women: the is the amateurs champion 2003, and senior amateurs champion 2008.

Olivia Prokopová, PPA "Putting Queen" 2009. (All photos by Honza Prokop 2009)

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