MINIGOLF: Seve Kukielka wins the 2026 British Open
JON ANGEL
The International British Open Minigolf Tournament returned to the Pirate Course at Hastings Adventure Golf on the last weekend of September, with a record turnout. Seventy-four players took part, playing eight rounds each across two days. The field included players from the home nations as well as Germany, New Zealand, Hungary and Austria.
Winner Seve Kukielka in action on Pirate course
Last year’s runaway winner, England’s Adam Kelly, was looking to secure another title, but stiff competition was expected from the likes of Wales’ Seve Kukielka, locals Daniel Cornwall and Murray Thompson, and a host of other players. International minigolfers Matt Ansley and Patrick Reiner were also hoping to make waves.
After the four rounds played on the Saturday (day one), Kelly held a slender advantage of one shot from Kukielka. Refreshed for day two, Kelly then pulled further ahead to lead by five shots after round six. The title looked to be in the bag.
But the world’s top-ranked adventure golfer, Kukielka, had other ideas. His 29 in the penultimate round saw him close to within three shots of Kelly. Round eight was nip and tuck all the way to hole 11. But from hole 12 onwards, Kukielka took charge. In a remarkable display of minigolf he aced (achieved a hole-in-one on) each of the last seven holes to pip Adam Kelly to the trophy by a single shot.
With a 59 under-par total, Kukielka is the new British Open Minigolf Champion.
Murray Thompson took bronze after a sudden-death play-off with Daniel Cornwall. In the International Tournament New Zealand’s Matt Ansley claimed the title, coming in four shots ahead of Patrick Reiner (Austria). Hungary’s Marton Geda was third.
Dee Relf came through to win the Women’s category by the slenderest of margins. Ruth Sturdy finished one shot behind to take silver, and Shelley Cooper was third.
All eyes were on the Novice section where golf content creator Peter Finch was being followed by a camera crew for his YouTube channel. Peter confirmed his putting prowess as he took the title by three shots from Vincent Hawke. Valeria Bradshaw Goatley was placed third in the category.
One of the stories of the weekend was 14-year-old Julian Teubler. The minigolf prodigy won the Juniors title in style, but his superb play also saw him finish seventh in the overall standings. Quite remarkable.
£1,635 was awarded in overall prize money. The event was live-streamed for YouTube, see youtube.com/@BritishMinigolfAssociation/streams.
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