NEW YORK, NY – February 22, 2008 – There are miniature golf tournaments and then there are miniature golf tournaments. But none are as unique as the Kimball Office Open – 18 furniture-inspired holes created by some of New York's most well-known design firms.

Jointly sponsored by Kimball Office and its New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia dealers and suppliers, the first-ever Kimball Office Open benefited the Turn 2 Foundation, raising nearly $20,000. Founded by Derek Jeter, Turn 2 creates and supports programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “TURN 2” healthy lifestyles.

“We are amazed at the response we have received because of the event in both contributions and interest in the foundation,” said Sharlee Jeter, the Yankee shortstop’s sister. “Our family wants to thank Kimball Office and everyone who worked so hard to make this a great night.”

More than 450 golfers tested their putting skills on the par 60 course. The number 3 hole designed by TSC Design won the “Favorite Hole Design” award by popular vote. The par 3, 2.5-yard hole dominated with a truck crane built over a Kimball Office ”President” series desk in a brick-strewn construction site. Golfers had to hit their ball through pipes suspended by the crane to reach the green located in a ”Porta Potty.”

“There was a lot of debate over the favorite hole,” said Chuck Gould, Regional Manager, Kimball Office. “In fact, we almost had a 15-way tie, because each hole had its own ingenious appeal.”

There was no debate however, over the event's success.

“What fun,” said Rick Focke, Senior Principal/Design Director, HOK. “Thanks for a great event!”

“What a great night! We really had a blast,” said Shannon McCarthy of Mancini Duffy. “We already have an idea for next year.”

The evening wrapped up with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the 19th hole. In addition, awards were presented to the three top-scoring teams. Ted Moudis Associates captured first place and took home the coveted Kimball Office cup. Mancini Duffy landed second place. And Callison walked away with third.

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How would you have fared against these miniature marvels?

1st hole: Designed by Gensler, par 3. This G-shaped green featured a computer-modeled fairway leading to a hole that jetted successful putts a foot straight up into the air.

2nd hole: Designed by INARCH, par 5. Environmentally themed, this hole offered two “fairways” to the green. One was strewn with trash, empty bottles and other debris, representing the “easy way" to score, but with a negative result for the environment. The other, while longer, was open and green and led to a much better outcome for golfers and the planet.

3rd hole: Designed by TSC Design, par 3. Voted “favorite design” for its construction theme, featuring a massive construction crane and Porta Potty green.

4th hole: Designed by Perkins + Will, par 3. Inspired by the Mad Max movies, this sustainably themed hole required golfers to use remote control cars to putt their golf balls around a challenging “Thunder Dome” green.

5th hole: Designed by The Switzer Group, par 3. This hole tested golfers with a “Studio 5” disco, complete with mirror ball, smoke machine, light show, and red velvet rope and doorman to control the crowd.

6th hole: Designed by Meridian Design, par 5. This hole paid homage to public golf courses with hazards, traps, ramps and flags.

7th hole: Designed by Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, par 2. New York's subway system inspired this hole with its model of the landmark Puck building.

8th hole: Designed by A/R Environetics Group, par 3. This hole treated golfers to the posh pleasures of Park Avenue and the Met Life Building.

9th hole: Designed by Callison, par 2. With its election year theme, this hole wooed golfers from both parties.

10th hole: Designed by Ted Moudis Associates, par 3. This hole forced golfers to hit their ball from an elevated platform over a fence and into the hole.

11th hole, Designed by CYTEXONE, inifinity yards, par 4. Golfers challenged their putting acumen on a Wii with 60-inch flat screen monitor.

12th hole: Designed by Francis Cauffman Architects, par 4. Ramps, tunnels, bridges and tubing brought tears and fears to golfers as they struggled to sink their ball.

13th hole: Designed by HOK, par 3. Water hazards and sand traps presented golfers with multiple mishaps.

14th hole: Designed by Kimball Office By Design, par 2. Alphabet blocks punctuated this hole.

15th hole: Designed by Kimball Office By Design, par 2. Celebrating Indiana, the crossroads of America, this hole had golfers putting through and around trains, rolling farmlands and barnyard animals.

16th hole: Designed by T|P|G Architecture, par 3. This hole sustained golfers with an environmental theme.

17th hole: Designed by Mancini Duffy, par 3. The elevated fairways of this hole gave golfers divergent paths to the hole.

18th hole: Designed by Perkins Eastman, par 5. For this conference table turned fairway, golfers had to putt into electrical access cutouts and through tubing that led to the hole.

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