Two Boothbay region residents are the most recent members of the U.S. Pro Mini Golf Hall of Fame. Peter A. Gilchrist and Lee Stoddard were inducted as the second and third members during an Oct. 17 ceremony in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Gilchrist and Stoddard join the Hall’s first member, Bobby Ward of Beech Island, South Carolina, who was inducted last year. The U.S. Pro Mini Golf Association notified its newest members in February about their induction.

Both men were surprised about being among the first members of the U.S Pro Mini Golf Association’s newly formed Hall of Fame.

“It’s a new thing so I really didn’t know much about it. So when they called, it definitely took me by surprise,” said Stoddard, who has owned Dolphin Mini Golf in Boothbay for 25 years.

Gilchrist, twice a national senior champion, began playing mini golf in 1993. He received the news while traveling with his wife last winter.

“I was extremely surprised, particularly since such a large pool other players with more success than I’ve had, were in the eligible pool of veteran players,” Gilchrist said.

Stoddard, 78, was inducted as the Hall’s second member. He joined the U.S. Pro Mini Golf Association in 1997. He began the Maine State Dolphin Open in 1993. The tournament attracts a strong field of professional mini-golfers from New England and eastern United States.

In 2008, Dolphin Mini Golf was  the first course outside of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to host the USPMGA’s U.S. Open.

Stoddard has competed in several national tournaments. He won the 2006 Metal Play Championship, 2007 Champ of the Camp, 2008 Match Play Championship and 2010 Stroke Play Championship.

U.S. Pro Mini Golf Association president Bob Detwiler spoke of Stoddard’s contributions to the sport.

“The association honors Lee for allowing the sport we love to flourish, spreading the word of our first-class events, and his dedication that has driven him to the top of the USPMGA family,” he said.

Stoddard has also been an innovator within the sport. According to Stoddard, Dolphin Mini Golf was the first U.S. course with computerized scoring.

During the Maine State Dolphin Open’s 22-year history, the tournament has raised over $100,000 for the Shriners Hospitals for Children, according to Stoddard.

Gilchrist is the Hall’s third inductee. Detwiler described him as an “avid competitor” and “great sportsman.” Gilchrist has won over 20 different titles and is the only person to win all four of New England’s major tournaments. The “New England Grand Slam” is the Massachusetts Open, Hartford Open, Maine State Dolphin Open, and Odetah Fall Classic in Bozrah, Connecticut.

He won the Maine State Dolphin Open for the thirteenth time in September.

Detwiler described Gilchrist as one of the sport’s best competitors and gentlemen.

“Peter has supported and promoted the U.S. Pro Mini Golf Tour for the past 20 years and is a great example of what a pro should be,” Detwiler said. “He has also won the association’s sportsmanship award many times for his superior attitude on and off the course.”

As Hall of Famers, their achievement is recognized with a large banner and a plaque hanging in the museum. The two also received personal plaques commemorating their membership.

Gilchrist attended the ceremony, but Stoddard didn’t.

“I got mixed up on the date,” Stoddard said. “I wasn’t sure if was going to be able to attend so I threw away my paperwork. I called and told them I was coming, but they already had it.”

The ceremony was covered by local South Carolina press and Sports Illustrated.