For the past four years, Justin Seymour of Connecticut has dominated the Dolphin Open as the champion, but his reign came to an end Sept. 13. In a 17-person field, Kyle Courcy of Lewiston added the Dolphin Open to his Maine State Miniature Golf Championship title he won in August.

Courcy shot a 275 after eight rounds to beat runner-up Mark Novicki of Connecticut by one shot. Seynour finished tied for third with his wife, Anna Seymour, who both shot 280. 

The Dolphin Open had a similar result to the Maine State Miniature Golf championships in Augusta. Courcy finished first followed by Novicki in second and Justin Seymour in third. 

This year's Dolphin Open boasted having five former champions in the field. Pat Sheridan, a two-time champion, has played in every Dolphin Open since 2002. He met Lee Stoddard, who built the Dolphin miniature golf course while playing a tournament in Connecticut. A friendship ensued which has lasted beyond Lee Stoddard's death in 2018.

"We started coming up here and found a family," Sheridan said. "It's a great tournament. A bunch of us come up from Connecticut. It's very competitive and a great weekend."

This year's tournament had five players from Connecticut, which trailed Maine's eight for the most entrants by state. Justin Seymour has won a total of five Dolphin Opens over the years. He has played the course many times and enjoys the fall Maine atmosphere and weather. "It's really like a mini-vacation. You come here and enjoy the competition and meet a lot of great people," he said.

Evan Goodkowsky of Wiscasset is a frequent competitor in the annual Dolphin Open. He finished seventh with a 294. In his early competitive days, he would play three to four times per week. Goodkowsky now plays once or twice per month. Even though he doesn't play as much, he still loves the annual competition. "There is no other place I'd rather be than here and now," he said. "I missed weddings and other celebrations for this tournament. I know it's crazy, but it's just something that I enjoy."

Addie Barter is Lee Stoddard's granddaughter. She has played mini-golf since the age of 3. Her best round is 31, which is two off the course record of 31. Barter doesn't play as much since entering high school, but she enjoys playing in the tournament. "It's great seeing all the regulars come back and play," she said. "You also learn a lot of  tricks and tips playing with them."

The tournament awarded cash prizes for the top six: Courcy, first, $500; Novicki, second, $250; Justin and Anna Seymour, tied for third, $200 each; Sheridan, fifth, $50; and Stephane Dalmaine, sixth, $50. 

The tournament is a fundraiser for the Lee Stoddard Scholarship Fund. Tournament Director Nancy Stoddard reported this year's event raised $1,850. The scholarship is for students who attend a technical college. 

On Sunday, rain hampered play, but Nancy Stoddard said spirits remained high amongst competitors. "I think this year's tournament may have been the best ever. All these guys come here with such a great attitude, and it's great being around them whether it's sunny or raining," she said.