| Minigolf: All in the Family |
| Our next stop on our world tour is America, in the state of Tennessee, where we will meet three brothers who all have one thing in common: minigolf. This trio grew up together playing minigolf but each took different paths on their journey through the world of minigolf. However, whenever they have the chance, they still enjoy a game together |
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(01/26/07)
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| The brothers McCaslin |
The brothers McCaslin: David, Danny and Matt. These three men all have one thing in common besides sharing the same parents, their passion for minigolf. Dave and Danny, the eldest of the brothers, started playing minigolf for fun in the early 1970’s near their home town of Memphis, Tennessee and on family vacations. When a putt-putt course opened near their house in 1977 the young Matt, only 6 years old at the time, followed in his brothers’ footsteps and took up the game. «It wasn’t long before Matt started tagging along with us- remembers David- and soon we all started playing in amateur competitions». At this time the boys were involved with the JPA (Junior Putters of America), a program for miniature golfers between the ages of 9 and 15 years old. David and Danny played together on the JPA Memphis national team and in 1979, with a team composed of 10 players, the boys’ Memphis team won the National Championships. The following year the JPA decided to cut the teams from 10 players to 4, but this didn’t stop the brothers from helping their Memphis team take first place again for the second time in a row. In 1981, at 15 Danny was too old to participate in team competitions, however he went on to win in the overall individual category and was crowned JPA National Champion, a title which his older brother David had previously won.
Danny also coached the 1983 Memphis team and brought them to Richmond, Virginia where they won the National Championship yet again. Meanwhile, the younger Matt, while not playing on the same teams as his older brothers, was also competing for the JPA and faired quite well, winning 3 national championships for his age division three out of the six years he played in the JPA.
After the JPA all three brothers went on to play both amateur and professional minigolf, however their stories start to differ here. David, who’s hobbies include collecting records and «travelling with my two best friends, my brothers, playing minigolf a few times a year», holds 12 course records around the country and the amateur world record with 92 strokes under par. In addition, he has been on ESPN twice, won the USPMA (US Pro Minigolf Ass.) tour 8 times and currently has the most wins recorded in USPMA history.
Danny was never far behind his older brother, in 1982 he joined the APA (Amateur Putters of America) and played in tournaments around the country. Two years after playing for the APA Danny became a member of the PPA (Professional Putters of America) and it wasn’t long until his successes led him to appear on TV; he become the youngest person in the PPA to be on television for his achievements. Danny continued to practice the sport until
1991, «I moved to Hawaii and stopped playing for a few years until I moved back in 1993». Once back on the mainland Danny went on to win many major tournaments and continues to compete to this day.
While his brothers were off making minigolf history Matt gave the sport a break. He turned pro at age 16, however two years later, in 1989, he temporarily retired from minigolf, «I got out of putt-putt all together because I was into so many other things» recounts Matt. It wasn’t until 12 years later that he picked up the putter again. In 2001 Matt decided to join his brothers in playing at the US Open of minigolf in Myrtle Beach. «I finished second behind my older brother David. I enjoyed the courses and the tour and so I have been playing ever since». Once back in the game Matt let his talent shine through enjoying many successes and wins over the years.
David accurately sums up these last decades of playing minigolf together with his brothers, «the best thing about playing minigolf is the travel and friendships we have made through the years. Also, Danny, Matt and I get to spend time together». As these brothers continue to play and compete together, we certainly hope to see them at the upcoming World Championships, but if they can’t make it, we can be sure they will be enjoying their successes with each other elsewhere.
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