Strokes Minigolf Club’s Marc Chapman digs deep to claim historic 5th World Crazy Golf Championship title!
The 2025 World Crazy Golf Championships took place over an exhilarating weekend at Hastings Adventure Golf, providing an excellent setting for top players from across the UK and beyond. The venue’s challenging yet accessible layout created a perfect stage for a highly competitive tournament filled with quality golf and tense moments.
From the start, the main tournament featured a strong field competing over seven demanding rounds. Marc Chapman of England stood out with exceptional consistency and composure throughout. Finishing with a total score of 222 and an average of 31.7, Marc retained the title of World Crazy Golf Champion, marking his fifth World Crazy Golf Championship victory that ties him with the legend of our sport, Tim Davies for the all-time record of five titles. His rounds were marked by steady scoring, accurate putting, and a calm approach to the more difficult holes under pressure.
The battle for the podium was incredibly close, culminating in a playoff for second place. Murray Thompson and Seve Kukielka both finished on 223, with Murray narrowly securing second after the playoff. This tense contest highlighted the skill and competitive spirit present throughout the field.
Other notable performances included Adam Kelly, who placed fourth with consistent scoring across all rounds, Chris Randell, who produced some of the highest round scores late in the event to climb the rankings, and James Rutherford, whose steady play kept him firmly among the leading contenders. James Rutherford also triumphed in a playoff for fifth place against Frank Bisesi, demonstrating the fine margins at the top of the leaderboard. After the cut following round six, 18 players advanced to the final round, setting the stage for a dramatic finish with the leaders closely matched.
The tournament was more than just the fight for the top places — many competitors showed resilience and skill, with both veterans and newcomers providing memorable performances. The quality of play on display underlines the growth of British Minigolf and the dedication of its players.
Following Day One, the Junior World Crazy Golf Champion was decided. Leah Cassidy of Gloucester Aces Minigolf Club claimed the title, with her teammate Finn McPherson finishing second and Julian Teubler of Thanet Silverbacks Minigolf Club in third. All three demonstrated great promise and are clearly players to watch in the future.
Also from Day One, we were pleased to see Rachel King from Gloucester Aces Minigolf Club crowned as the Ladies World Crazy Golf Champion. Rachel overcame strong competition in this newly introduced category to claim the title. Ruth Sturdy of Gemini Golf Club took second place, with Jess Pilgrim from Dragons Minigolf Club in third. The BMGA acknowledges the important work done by Hastings Adventure Golf, and previously Gemini Golf Club, in establishing this category to encourage the growth of women’s participation in the sport.
The tournament began on Friday with the Team Competition, a fast-paced event featuring one round of qualifiers followed by single-hole shootouts. The Hornets team emerged victorious, defeating the defending champions — James Rutherford, Martin Greenhead, and Martyn Williams — in the final. While the format was quickfire, it required focus and skill under pressure, and the Hornets were deserving winners.
Our final recap from Day One is the Novice event — where the Novice World Crazy Golf Champion is decided annually. A huge congratulations to Gary Combs from Dragons Minigolf Club for taking the title. This win places him among an illustrious list of previous winners and signals a bright future in the game. Daniel Cornwall secured second place, ahead of David Wicks in third. Both performed strongly and it will be exciting to see them return to compete at the highest level on the BMGA tour in the future.
Overall, the 2025 World Crazy Golf Championships provided an excellent showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and community spirit. Hastings Adventure Golf once again proved itself as an ideal host venue, delivering a well-organised and enjoyable event for players and spectators alike. With new champions crowned and emerging talents on display, the future of British Minigolf looks very bright indeed.
You can find the results for the main competion here
