What Kameron Haselius’ win means for the future of Putt Craft

by Reid Nelson

I don’t play favorites, but at Event 2 of the Fall Classic it was hard not to cheer on Kameron Haselius. 

Not because he is the youngest open winner in Putt Craft history, or because he was only three months removed from a last place finish at Lilli Putt. Not because he works on his game tirelessly, mapping angles and arguing with his brother Zack about who came up with what angle and when. It wasn’t his likeability or his willingness to help others with the 18birdies app.

No, none of that. Although all of that matters and is definitely considered.

He was easy to cheer on because of what his win represented to Putt Craft and how we hope to develop the experience.

Some important dates:

October 22, 2022 : Kameron’s first event. +1, 24 strokes off the leader.

January 12, 2023 : Kameron’s first top-5 finish. Even par, 4 strokes off the leader.

August 14, 2023 : Kameron finishes 40 strokes off the lead at Lilli Putt, +8.

August 21, 2023 : Kameron wins his first event (E-League/Loon’s Nest)

November 11, 2023 : Kameron’s first Open win (Golf Zone). -17, 1 stroke off event record.

We aren’t talking about a skeleton field here either. The last two “Player of the Year” winners and two players each with three tournament wins this season are just four of the opponents in what was a stacked field.

Kameron was unphased, shooting a 33/34 and outlasting Matt Roalstad in two extra holes. Haselius was one off the event record at Golf Zone (-18) and one off the event ace record (10), both records currently held by his playoff opponent, Matt Roalstad.

Part of the draw with miniature golf (and Putt Craft) is the ability to get really good, really quickly. In Kameron’s case, a little over one year.

No need for an expensive home gym or a giant field to practice, elite trainers aren’t a necessity and your height/weight/age/gender barely move the needle toward an advantage or disadvantage.

This is why we choose this sport. Someone could see one of our posts or an event flyer and say, “I want to do that, and I want to get really good.” And they can. And that’s the point.

We play with stats a lot and while this win is only 1 of 52 in the 2.5 years of Putt Craft (1.9%). What it represents for the future of the experience is much more meaningful.