By a lucky coincidence, the 2014 Seattle Invitational lined up exactly with BK’s birthday. After dominating the tour of the Southern Hemisphere, KMJ was looking to extend her streak but not even the birthday boy could take down new competitor CP who beat us both out. At the least the birthday boy could claim second place over KMJ who clearly needs to alter her swing a bit now that she’s back up north.
Rotorua, where KMJ continued to dominate and secured the Southern Hemisphere championship of 2014, 4-01 over BK, woot!
conveniently there was a mini-golf course just a couple blocks from our motel in Taupo. BK was still looking for his first win in the southern hemisphere as we stepped on the classic garden type course. KMJ’s strong putting continued and she racked up another win despite the heavy wind coming off the lake.
Landing in Wellington, KMJ looked to extend her South Island domination across the straight and into the north. Carlucci Land is built in an old junkyard with lots of interesting obstacles. It was close throughout and when KMJ had a rough time on 15, BK looked headed to victory. But some errors on 17 for BK led to a draw in the end.
This may be the coolest course we’ve ever encountered. Each hole was uniquely designed with models and electric features that level the playing field based on chance of which tunnel or car your ball ends up in. Following up on her win in Te Anau, Kendra continued to dominate the South Island, this time beating BK by an impressive six strokes.
Game, Set, Match to KMJ by 2 strokes 🙂
Though poorly covered in the media primarily due to the media having one to many Moscow Mules at the nearby Glacier Distillery the final round of the 2012 tour was contested at the challenging links of the Amazing Fun Center in West Glacier, Montana.
BK, continued to play in what was a signature style for the 2012 season allowing KMJ to build a lead on the front nine only to come charging back to seal victory with the masterful use of in-play water features on the 14th and 16th holes.
The 2013 tour will get underway this August with potential events in Astoria, Monterrey and Fairfield.
The second and final leg of the North American Mega-Mall tour stops was played today on the Putt n’ Glow links at the mighty West Edmonton Mall. As with the last stop at the Mall of America, KMJ jumped out to an early 4 stroke lead in the first few holes before BK settled into his game.
KMJ maintained a 3 stroke lead at the turn where a series of cunningly designed volcano style holes stymied both players with triple bogeys all around on three of the last 10 holes. BK managed to pull within one with an excellent tee shot on 15 and then with his back to the wall sank a clutch hole in one put on the 16th while KMJ hit par but the score was tied going into 17.
On the 17th BK tapped in a birdie putt for the lead going into the 18th where both players triple bogeyed to end the match. So far BK leads the 2012 tour with victories in Scottsdale, Minneapolis and Edmonton while KMJ took the season opener in Austin.
Challenging course conditions on Saturday on the Moose Mountain Links at Mall of America with several unmarked hazards and an unruly gallery wrecking havoc on both players as BK struggled out of the gate with double bogeys on four of the first nine holes.
KMJ seemed poised for a decisive victory reminiscent of the 2011 tour event in Leavenworth however a collapse on the back nine combined with a surge by BK resulted in a tie on the 15th hole and a narrow one stroke lead for BK heading into 18.
There, with just a single chance for glory BK sank a tricky 6 foot putt to seal the victory at this first stop of the mega mall swing on the 2012 tour. The tour will continue the Mega Mall swing at West Edmonton in early August.
The 2012 mini golf tour will be making a weekend stop in Minneapolis for a fierce battle at the Moose Mountain Adventure Golf course located at Mall of America. BK remains the odds makers favorite following his decisive victory in Scottsdale at the last tour stop in February. KMJ won the prior tour stop in Austin to kick off the year after a narrow sudden death defeat in the 2011 championships held in San Antonio.
Brian & Kendra 