To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Putt U Miniature Golf, 5201 Route 309, Center Valley, held “The Craziest Mini-Golf Tournament Ever” July 14 and donated a total of $6,000 to local charities.

In this special tournament, golfers played 18 holes with anything but a regular putter. No golf clubs were allowed, so players were encouraged to bring the most creative and outrageous gadget they could to putt with.

Creative and outrageous they were – golfers used tennis rackets, paint rollers, a baker spoon, flamingos, pipes with electrical conduits, pool cues, bones, mops, a pollinator putter, a homemade catapult and even a leg from the kitchen table.

Prizes were awarded to the person with the lowest score and the person with the “best putting gadget.”

The two winners of Putt U’s tournament each received $20 in cash and $2,000 for the qualified charitable organizations of their choosing.

A second place prize for the “best putting gadget” of $250 was provided by donor Rich DeHaven.

The only limitation was that the winners’ selected charities must serve local residents.

The winner of the best putting gadget was Anita Soltysiak, of Hellertown, with her “pollinator putter.” Her charity, Love, Ran, Red Foundation serving adults with autism and developmental disabilities, will receive a check for $2,000.

The second place prize for the best putting gadget was presented to Charlie Reifinger, of Pennsburg. His charity, Upper Perk Robotics Club, will receive a check for $250.

The golfer with the lowest score of 43 was Joe Ottinger, of Salisbury, using an Irish curling stick. His charity, Dream Come True will receive a check for $2,000.

The second place golfer with a score of 45 was Ray Tulanowski, of Freeland. His charity, The Humane Society, will receive a check for $250.

Putt U owner Randy Bloch said because of additional registrations, a total of $6,000 would be donated to charities. All registered golfers’ names were entered into a raffle and the following charities will each receive $250: Overcoming Barriers, Big Cat Rescue, Meals on Wheels (two different winners), The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Dream Come True, Recovery Partnership and another charity undetermined as the winner was not present.

Bloch said this was the first year for the tournament with 92 registrations. “I didn’t know what to expect,” Bloch said.

He said he was very happy with the outcome of the tournament. “People overperformed.”