World’s Longest Putt (WLP) Championship
By Gary Van Sickle
Last year’s inaugural World’s Longest Putt (WLP) Championship was pretty special. It featured, oh, a certified Guinness World Record.
After Mike Born won the World’s Longest Putt title at The Baths of Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wis., a hardy crew of competitors stayed around another day in an attempt to set a world record. As darkness began to fall and the videographer announced there was only enough light for one more try, Jay Stocki of Downer’s Grove found lightning in his putter. He holed a putt from 401.26 feet to set a record subsequently recognized by the Guinness World Record staff.
The second annual WLP will take place at Blackwolf Run again Saturday (Sept. 22). More than 10,000 golfers participated. The six remaining finalists will compete in four rounds of putting at distances that range from 50 to 200 feet. After a winner is determined, the players will get a shot to break Stocki’s Guinness World Record Longest Putt and have a chance at winning $1 million.
The finalists are:
Darrell Beall of Tampa, Fla. He won the WLP qualifier at the John Daly Legends Celebrity Golf Tour at TPC Tampa. New nickname: The B-52… because he drops bombs.
Steve Dlugosinski of Oswego, Ill. He qualified with a victory at the Chicago District Golf Association Social Event at Fox Run Golf Links. New nickname: The Big Sinker.
Adam Tatro, Joliet, Ill. He made it to the WLP final by qualifying at the Chicago Golf Show. New nickname: ATM… because he’s money.
Matt Ordway of Downers Grove, Ill. Ordway won the qualifier at the SEASPAR Charity Golf Outing. New nickname: Master Blaster… because, well, no reason.
Anthony Spalo, Ravinia Green Country Club. Spalo reigned supreme in the qualifier at the CDGA Net Series Qualifier. New nickname: Tony the Pony… because he runs in long putts.
Mike Born, Downers Grove, Ill. Born was exempt into the final as the 2023 World Champion. New nickname: Born Again… because he’s ba-aaaaack!
“I am thrilled at the growth we have seen in the World’s Longest Putt competition this year,” said Stocki, the WLP commissioner. “We can’t thank our competitors, sponsors, charity golf partners, and host courses enough.
“The best part of the World’s Longest Putt is that anybody can compete. We had an eight-year old make a qualifying putt and we had several competitors that were well into their 80’s!”
For more details about the competition, check out https://www.worldslongestputt.com/.
WATCH THE WORLD RECORD PUTT… Click on the picture!
Gary Van Sickle has covered golf since 1980, following the tours to 125 men’s major championships, 14 Ryder Cups and one sweet roundtrip flight on the late Concorde. His work appeared, in order, in The Milwaukee Journal, Golf World magazine, Sports Illustrated and Golf.com. He is a former president of the Golf Writers Association of America. His email gvansick at aol dot com.
