Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2024 competition.  This event will be back on Friday, February 21st, 2025.

If you already know you want to have a team, send an email to lib-engineering@uiowa.edu.

 

Join us on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 as each department competes to design the best fairway for a mini golf design challenge!

See the final designs on Friday afternoon in the Student Commons of the Seamans Center.

Teams are organized by department with a deadline of Feb 29th to register.

Parameters:

  • Each team will design one golf hole fairway to be part of an overall mini golf course.
    • Up to 12 teams (fairways) in total.
      • Six fairways for each of the six departments: Biomedical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
      • Six additional teams for clubs and groups that are University recognized and affiliated with the College of Engineering. If you are affiliated with a club or team and would like to build a fairway, please email lib-engineering@uiowa.edu with your club name and team members. Space for teams is limited and on a first come first serve basis.
  • The hole should be par 3. (meaning it should take at most three stokes to complete the course)
  • Each team will be provided with (available for pick-up starting on Thursday, Feb 1st):
    • Wood base (8 feet by 2 feet) from the Engineering Machine Shop
    • 8 foot 2×2 board to be able to cut down
    • Turf (black in color)
    • For design elements and obstacles, access to scrap materials in both the Engineering Library and the Machine Shop on a first-come, first-serve basis
      • Any extra materials will be on the teams to provide.
    • The Machine Shop (G450 SC) will be open for Build Days throughout February so you’ll be able to pick up your materials and get expert help as needed.
      • February 5th – 22nd 
        • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays:  11:30am – 3:30pm
        • Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:00am – 12:00pm
      • February 10th and 17th 
        • Saturdays: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
  • The teams will design the location of the hole, objects, interactive elements, and elevations along the fairway.
  • The fairways are 8 feet by 2 feet and all structures must be only attached to the fairway. Design elements may not extend more than one foot beyond the edge of the fairway. There is no limit on elevation.
  • The Engineering Machine Shop will assist laying on the turf after desired elements are built and secured to the base.
  • During play, the ball must always stay within the fairway.
  • The design of the mini golf hole fairway should be built so that the elements can be removed for easy transported to the Seamans Center Student Commons on the day of the event as well as easily stored so it can used again in August.
  • Use of electronics or other computer elements is allowed for design and aesthetic purposes, but there must be at least two human elements of hitting the golf ball. All pieces must stay within the set diameters besides one power line running to it.
  • Groups can grab materials and build off last year’s fairway. If using the same materials, it must have a different theme and you can only use two of the design elements for last year.

Judging:

  • Judging will be both on technical and artistic elements.
  • The judging grid will be on a 1-5 scale using the elements listed below.
    • Technical
      • All design elements are within the set parameters of the fairway.
      • Well-constructed
      • The course can be reasonably completed as a par 3
      • Was the introduction within the time limit
      • During play, ball stayed within the fairway
      • At least two human elements of hitting the golf ball
    • Artistic
      • Overall Design & Theme
      • Aesthetically Pleasing
      • Humor Element
      • Surprise Element
      • Creative use of everyday objects or elements

Awards:

  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
  • People’s Choice Award
    • Students, Faculty, and Staff get to cast a vote for their favorite the day of the event.

Friday, February 23rd Timeline:

  • 9 am – 1 pm : Student Commons is open for build teams to set-up fairways
  • 1 pm : All fairways to be in the Student Commons for judging
  • 1:30 pm: Judging Starts
  • 2:30 pm: Public Voting Ends
  • 3:00 pm: Announce Winners
  • 3:30-4 pm: Clean-up

All Fairways will be saved and be brought out as part of the OnIowa Welcome Event on Friday, August 23rd.

Sponsored by: College of Engineering NEXUS, Engineering Technology Center (Machine Shop & Electronic Shop), and Lichtenberger Engineering Library