Something historical happened at this year’s Finnish Felt Championships, which ended today.

Oskari “Favourite Killer” Vihervaara won it, but he won also last year, so that is not historical. Okay it is historical that a junior player wins our national championships two years in a row. That has never happened before.

I took a medal in men’s category, for the fifth year in a row (since 2005, excluding 2009 when I didn’t participate). But that is not historical either. Juha “Mister Felt” Wellenius took 12 medals in a row (!) in men’s competition, between years 1994 — 2006 (excluding 2002 when he didn’t participate). Now that I call a minigolf career.

But there was something historical, and most memorable, in the bronze medal that I won this year. It was the first time since 1974 that someone wins a medal at Finnish minigolf championships with one ball. Yes baby, I played the competition with one ball only. 3D 143.

Two weeks before the competition I announced that I will try to make history by becoming the first player since 1974 to win national championships with one ball. I didn’t quite succeed in this kamikaze mission, but I got a medal anyway, and that is history.

I didn’t lose to Oskari and 3 others because I played with one ball and they played with ten balls or something. I lost because I played worse game generally, I had difficulties getting through the obstacles too often. No ball in the world can help you if you cannot get through the obstacles.

Why did I play with one ball anyway? I want to move into a more simple direction in what yet remains of my minigolf career. I want to see a simple one-ball version of minigolf, as an alternative for the wild special ball roulette that the game has become in recent decades. Adventure golf is a one-ball game. But if you ask WMF (and their sponsors, with financial interests in sales of special balls), the future of adventure golf is to play it with unlimited special balls, just as every other playing system.

I have tasted the luxury (yes, I would describe it as “luxury”) of having only one ball in pocket, no chalking or keeping-in-socks of a dozen special balls. I believe that there is social demand for that luxury. Not everyone enjoys the special ball roulette — but many players really do love it. There is social demand for both major variants of minigolf sport: multi-ball game and a one-ball game. If you think that there is no social demand for a one-ball game, just ask the Americans (or some British crazy golfers) what they think about minigolf.

My putter for the 2010 season: Caddy Vario with a widened angle (iron saw has spoken, see the photo) and extended length 108,5 cm. I guess that is the biggest putter that ever won a medal at Finnish minigolf championships. But not the biggest putter in our minigolf history. I have longer putters in my wardrobe, with lengths up to 120 cm.

Results of Finnish Felt Championships 2010: http://www.mrs.fi/1030/tulokset