WMF is now delighted and excited to be able to inform that we have signed the contract for WC 2019 with the local organizer and China Minigolf Sport Federation (CMF). This means that the Minigolf World Championships will take place for the first time ever outside Europe in 2019. This is a consequent step in the development of WMF to make the game more global.
The negotiation process lasted about six months from the day when CMF President Xiaolong He announced that they have found an investor/organizer, who wants to bring the championships to China. The investor / organizer is a real estate company who is building a new hotel and recreational area in Zhouzhuang, the ancient water town of China. This real estate company is a subsidiary of high tech public company Invengo Information Technology Co. Ltd. who plans to bring more intelligent technologies to the minigolf course. They are also the Intelligent Campus Solution provider of Shanghai Disney Park.
The negotiations were very smooth and we could reach a result with which all sides are satisfied. Also the regional government is supporting the championships, which is essential in China for the success of such an event. This contract gives WMF also a financial kick with which we can realize many plans and improve processes which make us more modern and effective. It also will allow us to support development projects of our members better than before.
Zhouzhuang is located approx. 100 km from Shanghai, so it will be your natural flight destination. More info about the town will follow in due time, but you can start googling Zhouzhuang.
WMF will again organize the tournament with its own staff like in 2017, since the experiences were very positive. Due to local conditions the championship will take place at the end of October, so adaptations to the international calendar 2019 will be necessary. We have been consulting with EMF about this already. WC 2019 will also see the introduction of a new championship format – mixed stroke play competition of pairs. This will require one more tournament day.
As the championship contract was necessary for various permissions, the construction of the courses hasn’t started yet. The courses will be provided by CMF in cooperation with WMF Gold Sponsor company Miniature Golf World Chongqing, There will be all four systems available in the minigolf center, but the primary goal is to play the WC 2019 on concrete and feltgolf, also for the first time ever. The final decision on the systems will be taken in December 2018 when the construction has been finished. Miniaturegolf is the reserve system. MOS course will not be used at this championship.
World Adventure Golf Masters 2019 will not be a part of this package and it will be organized as separate championship. After the WMF ExCo meeting at the end of March 2018 we’ll be able to announce further info on WAGM 2019.
After the big challenge of WC 2017 with positive experiences we are really looking forward to the next challenge and we all are prepared to make the WC 2019 bigger and better than ever!
We move forward!
On behalf of the WMF Executive Committee
Pasi Aho
Sport Director