Action from the final of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships

Action from the final of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships that took place in Hastings on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October 2009.

The leading group of Keith Kellard, Peter Emmerson and Anthony Pope play the final hole in the final round, with all three players scoring a hole in one!

Keith Kellard became the new World Crazy Golf Champion with an impressive 5 shot victory over the rest of the 83-strong field. Peter Emmerson was second, with Finland's John Mittler third.

Full results of the tournament can be found here.



The Gottfried's report can be found here.

Crazy Golf Snail

Spotted on the 16th Hole at Hastings Crazy Golf last weekend - a snail on the course!?

Results of the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships

Results of the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships, held in Hastings on 23/10/09.

1. Peter Emmerson 16
2. Anthony Pope 17
3. Richard Gottfried 19
3. Sean Homer 19
5. Tim 'Ace Man' Davies 20
6. Trevor Robertson 22
7. Gareth Holmes 23
8. Alan Norman 25
9. Brad Shepherd 25
10.Janette Robertson 28
10.Martin Robertson 28
12.Chris Jones 30

"Gottfrieds do like to be beside the seaside" Luton News story

This week the Luton News reported on our competing in the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships, and the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings.

You can check out the story here.

Adventure Golf at Watford TopGolf

This evening we made a return visit to the 8th course we played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Watford TopGolf.

The 18-hole 'Florida-style' had changed a little since our last visit, with some new rock obstacles added to some of the holes.

The 9-hole Indoor Putting Green Course is now only a four/five hole set-up as seating has replaced part of the course.

The visit was also a chance to spend some of my winnings at the American Golf store from victories earlier in the season at the Manchester Mini Masters and Manchester Miniature Open.

In our match-up I beat Emily 45 shots to 48.

See also - http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/12/results-of-third-annual-watford-classic.html

World Crazy Golf Championships - practice

Practice at the Crazy Golf course in Hastings ahead of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships.

Gottfried vs. Holmes-Crazy Golf Challenge Match in Hastings

Prior to the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings Midlands Minigolf Club member Richard Gottfried took on the London Minigolf Club's Gareth Holmes in a 'two-hole' Crazy Golf Challenge Match.

After playing holes 1 & 18 the scores were tied and a decider was needed. Finland's John Mittler chose the second hole for the play-off, Richard was up first in the sudden death play-off, watch to find out what happened...

Not so Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-man in London

While in London I spotted a not so Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-man this time advertising a Car Wash in Tower Hill!


Rather than the usual 'billowing and flailing' action of the Tube-Man it was so full of air it was completely static!

Check out the link below for other examples of Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-men I've seen on my travels:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/05/wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing.html

Gluten Free in London - Lunch & Dinner!!!

As well as finding two new courses on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour while in London on Wednesday, we also found two new places to eat that were suitable for Coeliacs.

For the first time since my diagnosis I was able to eat out and had a great Miso Soba in Pod at Devonshire Square, and Dinner at PJ's in Covent Garden (while sat at the 'Su Pollard' table!). Both places are highly recommended, whether you're a Coeliac or not!




While in Kentish Town we also spotted a cafe that served Gluten Free food! Unfortunately I wasn't hungry enough to venture in - I will do next time I'm there though.

Minigolf Course Visit No. 155 - Devonshire Square, London

On Wednesday 28th October 2009 we also visited and managed to play the Minigolf Course at Devonshire Square in London (near Liverpool Street Station).

The course visit was 199 overall (including derelicts and closed courses) and the 155th course we have played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The 18-hole indoor course was tricky with some very interesting moving obstacles.

Great fun to play too.





Video - Introducing the 155th Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit to Devonshire Square


Video - Hole 1


Video - Hole 2 (A very tough moving obstacle!)


Video - Hole 4 (Crazy Golf AND Bowling! What could be better?)



In the "Richard vs. Emily" Irregular Minigolf Tour match-up it was Emily who won by a stroke, with a score of 46 to my 47.

The course manager told us that in November, December and January the course will be changed to have a Christmas/Winter Wonderland theme! Hopefully we'll get a chance to return to play the new course layout then.

View other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link to a blog post about other Mini Golf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in and around London.

Minigolf Course Visit - Clarence Way Crazy Golf in Camden, London

On Wednesday 28th October we headed to London on the hunt for Crazy Golf courses and found the 12-hole Crazy Golf course on the Clarence Way Housing Estate in Camden.



The course was the same design/build as those in Swansea, however the course in Camden was only for use by the residents of the estate and their visitors. No one was playing!



View other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link to a blog post about other Mini Golf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in and around London.

Minigolf Report – Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships

26th October 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships

Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried represented England for the third time since their debut in 2007 as they competed in the seventh annual Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships at the Sea Front Adventure Golf Complex in Hastings on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October.


For the second consecutive year Richard made the ‘cut’ to qualify for the final round to finish in 17th place of 83 competitors. Richard also finished 17th (of 68) in 2008, though he improved on his total by four shots in the expanded field of players. Emily finished in 45th place (down two places from 43rd in 2008), and was also the fifth ranked player (of twelve) in the Women’s World Crazy Golf Championships that was played in parallel with the main tournament.

The competitors played six qualifying rounds (four on Saturday, two on Sunday) on two 18-hole courses, with the top ranked 18 players making the cut to take part in the final round. The overall winner was Keith Kellard from Bishop’s Stortford. Second was Brighton’s Peter Emmerson, with John Mittler from Finland in third place. Kellard won with a seven round total of 247 (-5), an average of 1.96 shots per hole, and five shots clear of the field.

Richard’s seven round total was 264 (+12), an average of 2.09 shots per hole, after rounds of 35, 40, 35, 41, 37, 37 and 39. He said “It was a great weekend of Crazy Golf and I am pleased to say that I didn’t have a single bad round. Last year I had a nightmare in my fifth round, but I’ve learned from my mistakes. I also enjoyed the Miniaturegolfer.com competition on the Friday and it was great to get third place there.”


Emily finished with a six round total of 247 (+31), an average of 2.28 shots per hole and 18 shots better than in 2008. Emily’s rounds were 42, 41, 38, 39 and 37.

Prior to the main event Richard was invited to compete in the “www.miniaturegolfer.com 'Nine Best' Crazy Golf Championship” to celebrate the ninth year of the Miniaturegolfer.com website. The competition was held on Friday 23rd October and took place over the nine hardest holes at the Sea Front minigolf complex. In the field of 12 players Richard finished in tied third place with Kent’s Sean Homer, both on one-over par. Peter Emmerson was the winner on two-under par, with Anthony Pope second on one-under par.

Before the 2009 World Crazy Golf Championships Richard was ranked in 45th spot of 217 players in the Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings for 2003-2008, Emily was 82nd. The new Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings for 2003-2009 will be published later this week.

Ends

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Courses visited with links

I have started adding links to the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour courses visited list, so you can now click through from the list to the webpage on the Ham & Egger Files detailing our visit to the course.

Some of the courses have had course reviews submitted by me to Miniaturegolfer.com and The Putting Penguin websites. Where available you can click through to the relevant link from the list below.

So far 155 courses have been played, with a further 44 visited (but not played for one reason or another - details below).

All courses played 30th September 2006 - 13th October 2009
1 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Victory Trail)
2 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Warrior Trail)
3 Southsea (Golf Links) - 9 Hole Par 3/Pitch & Putt
4 Luton (Woodside Animal Farm) - Adventure Golf
5 Felixstowe (Mannings) - Golf FX - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
6 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
7 Felixstowe (Fantasia) - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
8 Watford (Top Golf) - Adventure Golf
9 Watford (Top Golf) - 9 Hole Putting Green
10 West Hagbourne, Oxon (Horse & Harrow Pub) - Crazy Golf
11 Shefford, Bedfordshire (The Green Man Pub) - Crazy Golf
12 Brighton (East of Palace Pier) - Crazy Golf
13 Brighton (Peter Pan's) - Adventure Golf
14 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Inca course)
15 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Aztec course)
16 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, East Course) - Minigolf
17 St Albans, Hertfordshire (Verulamium Park) - Crazy Golf
18 Luton (Wardown Park) - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
19 Luton (Wardown Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
20 Lowestoft - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
21 Great Yarmouth (Pirates Cove) - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
22 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 18-hole - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
23 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 9-hole - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here24 Great Yarmouth (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
25 Great Yarmouth (Jungle Golf at the Gardens) - Crazy Golf (Update: 10th May 2009 - no longer exists, a Segway Grand Prix track is in its place) - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
26 Great Yarmouth (Hollywood Adventure Golf, Windmill Theatre) - Indoor Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
27 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Adventure Golf
28 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
29 Milton Keynes (Willen Lake) - Adventure Golf
30 Luton (Stockwood Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
31 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
32 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Pitch & Putt/Mini Golf
33 Stonham, Suffolk (Stonham Barns) - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
34 Margate (Strokes) - Adventure Golf
35 Broadstairs (Lillyputt Minigolf) - Lillyputt Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
36 Margate (Palm Bay Café) Cliftonville - Crazy Golf on Grass
37 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) 1 of the 2 18-hole courses
38 Letchworth Garden City - Putting Course on Grass
39 Hastings (Seafront) - Crazy Golf
40 Hastings (Seafront) - Minigolf
41 Hastings (Seafront) - Adventure Golf
42 Broxbourne (Paradise Wildlife Park) - Adventure Golf
43 Hastings (Planet Hastings) - Minigolf
44 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (New)
45 Blackpool (Starr Gate) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
46 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (Old 'Alpine Golf')
47 Blackpool (Stanley Park) - Crazy Golf
48 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf
49 Stratford-upon-Avon - Minigolf
50 Tampere, Finland - Beton
51 Tampere, Finland - Eternit
52 Tampere, Finland - Swedish Felt
53 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Putting Green
54 Coalville - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
55 Scarborough - Adventure Golf
56 Filey - Crazy Golf
57 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Lost Hut Trail)
58 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Hidden Cove Challenge)
59 Northwick Park - ‘Mini Majors’ Adventure Golf
60 Eastbourne (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf
61 Southsea - Crazy Golf
62 Southsea - Putting Green
63 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
64 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
65 Rylstone Gardens (Isle of Wight) - Crazy Golf
66 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Indoor Adventure Golf
67 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
68 Ryde (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
69 Hayling Island - Adventure Golf
70 Wroxham Barns - Adventure Golf
71 Bury St Edmunds (Abbey Gardens) - Crazy Golf
72 Dorridge (Four Ashes Golf Centre) - Minigolf
73 Coventry (Allesley Park) - Crazy Golf
74 New Malden - Jurassic Golf
75 Guildford (Stoke Park) - Swedish Felt
76 Weymouth (Sea Life Centre) - Adventure Golf
77 Weymouth (Bowleaze Cove) - Crazy Golf
78 Herne Bay - Adventure Golf
79 Gravesend (Woodlands Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
80 Bluewater - Pro Tour Putting
81 Motspur Park (Sir Joseph Hood Park) - Mini Golf
82 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Caverns Mill Course - Miniature Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here
83 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Hillbilly Hallow Course - Miniature Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here
84 http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/04/minigolf-course-visit-no-84.html - Miniature Golf
85 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
86 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Temple Ruins Adventure) - Adventure Golf
87 Canvey Island (Fantasy Island) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
88 Hemsby - Lost World Adventure Golf
89 Glasgow (Victoria Park) - 9-hole Putting Green
90 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Maggie McCaw's Challenge) - Adventure Golf
91 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
92 Dovercourt - Swedish Felt
93 Clacton-on-Sea - Eternit
94 Clacton-on-Sea (Augusta Masters) - Adventure Golf
95 Blake End, near Braintree - Swedish Felt
96 Hemel Hempstead (Gadebridge Park) - 9-hole Crazy Golf
97 Maidenhead (Riverside Gardens) - 18-hole Eternit
98 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 12-hole Eternit
99 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 9-hole Eternit Putting Course100 South Shields, Tyneside (Smugglers Cove) - 12-hole Adventure Golf
101 Tynemouth (Lost World Blue Course) - Adventure Golf
102 Tynemouth (Lost World Red Course) - Adventure Golf
103 Newcastle (Gosforth Park) - Minigolf
104 Ripon (Spa Gardens) - Crazy Golf
105 Ripon (Spa Gardens) - Putting Course106 Sandbanks - Crazy Golf
107 Bournemouth (Lower Gardens) - Minigolf
108 Boscombe (Chine Gardens) - Minigolf
109 Southbourne/Fisherman's Walk (Cafe Riva) - Crazy Golf
110 Fordingbridge (Tudor Rose Inn) - Miniature Golf
111 Tea Green, Wandon End, Luton - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
112 Bexhill-on-Sea (Metropole) - Crazy Golf
113 Tea Green, Wandon End, Luton - Putting Green
114 Manchester (Wythenshawe Park) - Crazy Golf
115 Walton Hall Gardens (Warrington) - Miniature Golf
116 Walton Hall Gardens (Warrington) - Putting Green
117 Staines (Lammas Park) - Adventure Golf
118 Oxford (Bury Knowle Park) - Swedish Felt
119 Oxford (Florence Park) - Swedish Felt
120 Oxford (Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park) - Swedish Felt121 Barry Island/Ynys y Barri (Smuggler's Cove) - Adventure Golf
122 Porthcawl (Trecco Caravan Park) - Adventure Golf
123 Porthcawl (Trecco Caravan Park) - Putting
124 Swansea/Abertawe (Southend Park, The Mumbles) - Crazy Golf
125 Swansea/Abertawe (Singleton Boating Lake) - Crazy Golf
126 Gowerton (Gowerton Golf Range) - Minigolf
127 Gowerton (Gowerton Golf Range) - Putting Course128 Pembrey/Pen-bre (Pembrey Country Park) - Crazy Golf
129 Pendine Bay - Crazy Golf
130 Saundersfoot - Crazy Golf
131 Heatherton Park, near Tenby - Adventure Golf
132 Eglwyswrw (Dyfed Shires & Leisure Farm) - Crazy Golf
133 Henllan Station (Teifi Valley Railway), near Newcastle Emlyn - Crazy Golf
134 Llanrhystud (Penrhos Golf & Country Club) - Crazy Golf
135 Aberystwyth - Crazy Golf
136 Aberystwyth - Putting137 Aberdovey/Aberdyfi - Putting
138 Tywyn (Leisure Park) - Crazy Golf
139 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Holyhead Park) - Crazy Golf
140 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Bodorgan, Henblas Country Park) - Crazy Golf
141 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Anglesey Sea Zoo) - Swedish Felt
142 Llandudno (Great Orme/Y Gogarth) - Alpine Adventure Golf
143 Llandudno (Great Orme/Y Gogarth) - Rocky Pines Adventure Golf
144 Towyn (Knightly's on Sandbank Road) - Crazy Golf
145 Rhyl (Drift Park) - Minigolf
146 Rhyl (Welsh Dragon) - Adventure Golf
147 Prestatyn - Arnold Palmer Putting Course
148 Llangollen (Riverside Park) - Minigolf
149 Oswestry (Cae Glas Park) - Eternit Minigolf
150 Southport (The Masters Putting Course) - Arnold Palmer Putting Course
151 Blackpool (Golden Isle) - Indoor Adventure Golf
152 Fleetwood (Marine Hall Gardens) - Crazy Golf
153 Poole (Poole Park) - Crazy Golf
154 Poole (Poole Park) - Putting Green
155 London (Devonshire Square) - Minigolf

In addition to the 155 courses we have played, we have also made visits to 44 other Minigolf courses around the country, which for one reason or another have been unplayable. Details are below:

Courses visited but not played* 30th September 2006 - 13th October 2009
1 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, West Course) - Derelict Minigolf (Update: 25th April 2009 - now demolished)
2 Alton Towers - Extraordinary Golf3 Lowestoft - Putting Green
4 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf #2
5 Weymouth - Putting Green
6 Guildford Lido - Minigolf
7 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) the 2nd 18-hole course
8 Hemsby (Stonehenge) - BIG Mini Golf
9 Gorleston-on-Sea (Pop's Meadow Putting Green) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
10 Gorleston-on-Sea (Bure Park) - Pitch & Putt/Minigolf
11 Glasgow - Victoria Park - Derelict 18-hole Minigolf
12 Bedford - Putting Green
13 Dovercourt - Putting Green
14 Southwold - Putting Green
15 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - new build (not yet complete as at May 2009)
16 Tynemouth - the site of a now demolished Arnold Palmer course
17 Newcastle (Exhibition Park) - Derelict 9-hole Crazy Golf
18 Bournemouth (Near Lower Gardens) - Derelict course
19 Manchester (Heaton Park) - Crazy Golf - no longer exists
20 Warrington (Orford Park) - Now flower beds!?
21 Barry Island/Ynys y Barri - Crazy Golf - Demolished for new Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf
22 Pendine Sands - Crazy Golf - Demolished
23 Saundersfoot (Merlewood Hotel) - Putting Course - for hotel guests only
24 Gumfreston (The Dinosaur Park) - Adventure Golf - was just closing
25 Herons Brook Animal Farm - Crazy Golf (Demolished five years ago)
26 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - Claimed to have a new Crazy Golf course - it did not exist
27 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - The 'Games Room' did have a broken minigolf arcade machine that was out of order
28 Tywyn (Leisure Park) - Putting (ran out of time on visit)
29 Porthmadog - Crazy Golf (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
30 Porthmadog - Swedish Felt (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
31 Porthmadog - Putting (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
32 Criccieth - Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt)
33 Criccieth - Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt)34 Abergwyngregyn (Aber Falls Tavern) - course unplayable, Tavern under redevelopment
35 Llanfairfechan - Crazy Golf - only holes 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 remain - no kiosk
36 Southport (Hesketh Park) - Crazy Golf - only open weekends (visited on a Friday)
37 Southport (Pleasure Land) - Moroccan Adventure Golf - derelict (but still in good condition for the shape it's in)
38 Cleveleys (Jubilee Park/Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Demolished
39 Blackpool (Gynn Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
40 Blackpool (Metropole) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
41 Leyland (Worden Park) - Mini Golf - Open weekends at 11am but was closed when we visited on a Sunday!?
42 Sandbanks - Putting Green
43 Weymouth - Riviera Hotel
44 London (Clarence Way, Camden) - Crazy Golf - Residents-only course, no clubs or balls for hire

* Due to closure, flooding, dereliction or other causes

Related blog post:
- List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

BIG Golf at Tea Green, plus the Pitch Black Minigolf Classic

Headed up to Tea Green for a round of 9-hole BIG Golf this evening.

It was light when we started!

By the 9th hole the light had faded and we were playing the hole by sound alone!

We did have a play on the 9-hole Minigolf though.

I won the first-ever Pitch Black Minigolf Classic 19(+1) to my opponent, Simon 'Practice' Hall's 21(+3).

'The Luton Eye' Giant Wheel in St George's Square

Yesterday we had a ride on 'The Luton Eye' Big Wheel that has been set up in St George's Square.




Very good for £3.00 a go, as you get about 10 minutes on it.

Two years ago in minigolf...

...http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html

A year ago in minigolf...

...http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html

The Putting Penguin

Check out the Putting Penguin website at http://www.theputtingpenguin.com/ for minigolf course reviews around the USA (specialising in the eastern United States).

Minigolf in Poole, Boscombe and Sandbanks

For all the news and details on Minigolf happenings in Poole, Boscombe and Sandbanks check out the course website/forum at http://minigolf.myfreeforum.org/index.php

You can view my Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visits to the Poole, Boscombe and Sandbanks courses at the following links:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/10/minigolf-course-visit-no-153-poole-park.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/10/minigolf-course-visit-no-154-poole-park.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/06/minigolf-course-visit-no-108-boscombe.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/06/minigolf-course-visit-no-106-sandbanks.html

"Double second for Gottfried"

The Luton News reported on my performances in the London Open and Weymouth Open minigolf tournaments last weekend with the story "Double second for Gottfried".

You can view the story here - http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut/Double-second-for-Gottfried.5731642.jp

Richard Gottfried in the Weymouth News!

Prior to the 2009 Weymouth Open and my title defence I was mentioned in a Minigolf news story in the Dorset Echo.

The story of my win in 2008's Weymouth Open minigolf tournament was also featured in the Dorset Echo.

Mini Golf Rules!

At Tea Green Golf, Luton.

Putting Green at Tea Green

Latest rounds at Tea Green Golf's Minigolf Course

For the first time in months we had a weekend off playing on the BMGA Tour, so what did we do? Go up to our local minigolf course at Tea Green of course!

We haven't had a chance to play the course since August and it was interesting to see some of the changes made to the layout and obstacles since our last visit.






While we were there I played three rounds against Course Manager Lester Coles, who beat me in two of the games! In the third round I hit a 33(-3), which equalled the 18-hole course record.

The new course record for 9-holes is 13(-5) held by Tea Green Golf staff member Scott.

While at the course I also had a play on the 9-hole Putting Green, scoring an Ace on the first hole on my way to a two over par 20. Here's me playing the ninth hole.



Below are links to previous blog posts of Minigolf and Putting at Tea Green Golf:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/08/tea-green-crazy-golf-course-finished.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/practice-at-tea-green-crazy-golf.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/tea-green-crazy-golf-course-then-now.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/tea-green-crazy-golf-course-record-and.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/minigolf-course-visit-no-113-putting.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/crazy-golf-big-golf-and-putting-at-tea.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/minigolf-players-tackle-tea-greens-big.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/tea-greens-big-golf.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/minigolf-course-visit-no-111-tea-green.html

A long wait at the seaside...

Richard Gottfried's photo at Weymouth's Pirate Adventure Golf

After winning the Weymouth Open minigolf tournament in 2008 my photo was placed in the course shop.



Sadly, after my defeat this year it'll be new champion Kevin Moseley's turn for course fame.

All is not lost however as my photo will be put up again as I am the course record holder at Weymouth Pirate Adventure Golf!

The 'Lucky' 19th Hole at Weymouth Pirate Adventure Golf Course

Prior to playing in the 2009 Weymouth Open minigolf tournament I thought I would try my luck on the 'Lucky' 19th Hole at Weymouth Pirate Adventure Golf Course, at Lodmoor Country Park in Dorset.

The video below shows me playing the 19th hole at the host course for the tournament, which was the scene of my first big minigolf individual title win back in October 2008 (and the 76th course visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour last year).

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - 154 Courses Played and 197 Visited So Far

It all started on the 30th September 2006 when Emily and I decided to visit as many Crazy Golf & Minigolf courses, and seaside resorts, in the UK (and beyond) on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

To date, a total of 2,127 holes of mini and crazy golf have been played over the 154 course visits (not including all of the extra play at tournaments, practice rounds or multiple visits) with a whole lot of holes-in-one, tournament wins and great fun.

Now, just over three years later, I have played 154 Minigolf courses, while Emily has played 143 courses (including Crazy Golf/Minigolf variants such as Mini Golf, Miniature Golf, Adventure Golf, Eternit, Beton, Swedish Felt and Putting Greens).

All courses played 30th September 2006 - 13th October 2009
1 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Victory Trail)
2 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Warrior Trail)
3 Southsea (Golf Links) - 9 Hole Par 3/Pitch & Putt
4 Luton (Woodside Animal Farm) - Adventure Golf
5 Felixstowe (Mannings) - Golf FX
6 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Crazy Golf
7 Felixstowe (Fantasia) - Adventure Golf
8 Watford (Top Golf) - Adventure Golf
9 Watford (Top Golf) - 9 Hole Putting Green
10 West Hagbourne, Oxon (Horse & Harrow Pub) - Crazy Golf
11 Shefford, Bedfordshire (The Green Man Pub) - Crazy Golf
12 Brighton (East of Palace Pier) - Crazy Golf
13 Brighton (Peter Pan's) - Adventure Golf
14 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Inca course)
15 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Aztec course)
16 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, East Course) - Minigolf
17 St Albans, Hertfordshire (Verulamium Park) - Crazy Golf
18 Luton (Wardown Park) - Crazy Golf
19 Luton (Wardown Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
20 Lowestoft - Adventure Golf
21 Great Yarmouth (Pirates Cove) - Adventure Golf
22 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 18-hole
23 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 9-hole
24 Great Yarmouth (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf
25 Great Yarmouth (Jungle Golf at the Gardens) - Crazy Golf (Update: 10th May 2009 - no longer exists, a Segway Grand Prix track is in its place)
26 Great Yarmouth (Hollywood Adventure Golf, Windmill Theatre) - Indoor Adventure Golf
27 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Adventure Golf
28 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
29 Milton Keynes (Willen Lake) - Adventure Golf
30 Luton (Stockwood Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
31 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Crazy Golf
32 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Pitch & Putt/Mini Golf
33 Stonham, Suffolk (Stonham Barns) - Crazy Golf
34 Margate (Strokes) - Adventure Golf
35 Broadstairs (Lillyputt Minigolf) - Lillyputt Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
36 Margate (Palm Bay Café) Cliftonville - Crazy Golf on Grass
37 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) 1 of the 2 18-hole courses
38 Letchworth Garden City - Putting Course on Grass
39 Hastings (Seafront) - Crazy Golf
40 Hastings (Seafront) - Minigolf
41 Hastings (Seafront) - Adventure Golf
42 Broxbourne (Paradise Wildlife Park) - Adventure Golf
43 Hastings (Planet Hastings) - Minigolf
44 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (New)
45 Blackpool (Starr Gate) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
46 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (Old 'Alpine Golf')
47 Blackpool (Stanley Park) - Crazy Golf
48 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf
49 Stratford-upon-Avon - Minigolf
50 Tampere, Finland - Beton
51 Tampere, Finland - Eternit
52 Tampere, Finland - Swedish Felt
53 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Putting Green
54 Coalville - Adventure Golf
55 Scarborough - Adventure Golf
56 Filey - Crazy Golf
57 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Lost Hut Trail)
58 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Hidden Cove Challenge)
59 Northwick Park - ‘Mini Majors’ Adventure Golf
60 Eastbourne (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf
61 Southsea - Crazy Golf
62 Southsea - Putting Green
63 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
64 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
65 Rylstone Gardens (Isle of Wight) - Crazy Golf
66 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Indoor Adventure Golf
67 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
68 Ryde (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
69 Hayling Island - Adventure Golf
70 Wroxham Barns - Adventure Golf
71 Bury St Edmunds (Abbey Gardens) - Crazy Golf
72 Dorridge (Four Ashes Golf Centre) - Minigolf
73 Coventry (Allesley Park) - Crazy Golf
74 New Malden - Jurassic Golf
75 Guildford (Stoke Park) - Swedish Felt
76 Weymouth (Sea Life Centre) - Adventure Golf
77 Weymouth (Bowleaze Cove) - Crazy Golf
78 Herne Bay - Adventure Golf
79 Gravesend (Woodlands Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
80 Bluewater - Pro Tour Putting
81 Motspur Park (Sir Joseph Hood Park) - Mini Golf
82 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Caverns Mill Course - Miniature Golf
83 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Hillbilly Hallow Course - Miniature Golf
84 Manchester (Championship MiniatureGolf @ PlayGolf Manchester) - Miniature Golf
85 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
86 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Temple Ruins Adventure) - Adventure Golf
87 Canvey Island (Fantasy Island) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
88 Hemsby - Lost World Adventure Golf
89 Glasgow (Victoria Park) - 9-hole Putting Green
90 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Maggie McCaw's Challenge) - Adventure Golf
91 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
92 Dovercourt - Swedish Felt
93 Clacton-on-Sea - Eternit
94 Clacton-on-Sea (Augusta Masters) - Adventure Golf
95 Blake End, near Braintree - Swedish Felt
96 Hemel Hempstead (Gadebridge Park) - 9-hole Crazy Golf
97 Maidenhead (Riverside Gardens) - 18-hole Eternit
98 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 12-hole Eternit
99 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 9-hole Eternit Putting Course100 South Shields, Tyneside (Smugglers Cove) - 12-hole Adventure Golf
101 Tynemouth (Lost World Blue Course) - Adventure Golf
102 Tynemouth (Lost World Red Course) - Adventure Golf
103 Newcastle (Gosforth Park) - Minigolf
104 Ripon (Spa Gardens) - Crazy Golf
105 Ripon (Spa Gardens) - Putting Course106 Sandbanks - Crazy Golf
107 Bournemouth (Lower Gardens) - Minigolf
108 Boscombe (Chine Gardens) - Minigolf
109 Southbourne/Fisherman's Walk (Cafe Riva) - Crazy Golf
110 Fordingbridge (Tudor Rose Inn) - Miniature Golf
111 Tea Green, Wandon End, Luton - Crazy Golf
112 Bexhill-on-Sea (Metropole) - Crazy Golf
113 Tea Green, Wandon End, Luton - Putting Green
114 Manchester (Wythenshawe Park) - Crazy Golf
115 Walton Hall Gardens (Warrington) - Miniature Golf
116 Walton Hall Gardens (Warrington) - Putting Green
117 Staines (Lammas Park) - Adventure Golf
118 Oxford (Bury Knowle Park) - Swedish Felt
119 Oxford (Florence Park) - Swedish Felt
120 Oxford (Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park) - Swedish Felt
121 Barry Island/Ynys y Barri (Smuggler's Cove) - Adventure Golf
122 Porthcawl (Trecco Caravan Park) - Adventure Golf
123 Porthcawl (Trecco Caravan Park) - Putting Course
124 Swansea/Abertawe (Southend Park, The Mumbles) - Crazy Golf
125 Swansea/Abertawe (Singleton Boating Lake) - Crazy Golf
126 Gowerton (Gowerton Golf Range) - Minigolf
127 Gowerton (Gowerton Golf Range) - Putting Course
128 Pembrey/Pen-bre (Pembrey Country Park) - Crazy Golf
129 Pendine Bay - Crazy Golf
130 Saundersfoot - Crazy Golf
131 Heatherton Park, near Tenby - Adventure Golf
132 Eglwyswrw (Dyfed Shires & Leisure Farm) - Crazy Golf
133 Henllan Station (Teifi Valley Railway), near Newcastle Emlyn - Crazy Golf
134 Llanrhystud (Penrhos Golf & Country Club) - Crazy Golf
135 Aberystwyth - Crazy Golf
136 Aberystwyth - Putting
137 Aberdovey/Aberdyfi - Putting
138 Tywyn (Leisure Park) - Crazy Golf
139 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Holyhead Park) - Crazy Golf
140 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Bodorgan, Henblas Country Park) - Crazy Golf
141 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Anglesey Sea Zoo) - Swedish Felt
142 Llandudno (Great Orme/Y Gogarth) - Alpine Adventure Golf
143 Llandudno (Great Orme/Y Gogarth) - Rocky Pines Adventure Golf
144 Towyn (Knightly's on Sandbank Road) - Crazy Golf
145 Rhyl (Drift Park) - Minigolf
146 Rhyl (Welsh Dragon) - Adventure Golf
147 Prestatyn - Arnold Palmer Putting Course
148 Llangollen (Riverside Park) - Minigolf
149 Oswestry (Cae Glas Park) - Eternit Minigolf
150 Southport (The Masters Putting Course) - Arnold Palmer Putting Course
151 Blackpool (Golden Isle) - Indoor Adventure Golf
152 Fleetwood (Marine Hall Gardens) - Crazy Golf
153 Poole (Poole Park) - Crazy Golf
154 Poole (Poole Park) - Putting Green

In addition to the 154 courses we have played, we have also made visits to 43 other Minigolf courses around the country, which for one reason or another have been unplayable. Details are below:

Courses visited but not played* 30th September 2006 - 13th October 2009
1 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, West Course) - Derelict Minigolf (Update: 25th April 2009 - now demolished)
2 Alton Towers - Extraordinary Golf
3 Lowestoft - Putting Green
4 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf #2
5 Weymouth - Putting Green
6 Guildford Lido - Minigolf
7 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) the 2nd 18-hole course
8 Hemsby (Stonehenge) - BIG Mini Golf
9 Gorleston-on-Sea (Pop's Meadow Putting Green) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
10 Gorleston-on-Sea (Bure Park) - Pitch & Putt/Minigolf
11 Glasgow - Victoria Park - Derelict 18-hole Minigolf
12 Bedford - Putting Green
13 Dovercourt - Putting Green
14 Southwold - Putting Green
15 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - new build (not yet complete as at May 2009)
16 Tyneside - the site of a now demolished Arnold Palmer course
17 Newcastle (Exhibition Park) - Derelict 9-hole Crazy Golf
18 Bournemouth (Near Lower Gardens) - Derelict course
19 Manchester (Heaton Park) - Crazy Golf - no longer exists
20 Warrington (Orford Park) - Now flower beds!?
21 Barry Island/Ynys y Barri - Crazy Golf - Demolished for new Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf
22 Pendine Sands - Crazy Golf - Demolished
23 Saundersfoot (Merlewood Hotel) - Putting Course - for hotel guests only
24 Gumfreston (The Dinosaur Park) - Adventure Golf - was just closing
25 Herons Brook Animal Farm - Crazy Golf (Demolished five years ago)
26 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - Claimed to have a new Crazy Golf course - it did not exist
27 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - The 'Games Room' did have a broken minigolf arcade machine that was out of order
28 Tywyn (Leisure Park) - Putting (ran out of time on visit)
29 Porthmadog - Crazy Golf (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
30 Porthmadog - Swedish Felt (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
31 Porthmadog - Putting (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
32 Criccieth - Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt)
33 Criccieth - Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt)
34 Abergwyngregyn (Aber Falls Tavern) - course unplayable, Tavern under redevelopment
35 Llanfairfechan - Crazy Golf - only holes 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 remain - no kiosk
36 Southport (Hesketh Park) - Crazy Golf - only open weekends (visited on a Friday)
37 Southport (Pleasure Land) - Moroccan Adventure Golf - derelict (but still in good condition for the shape it's in)
38 Cleveleys (Jubilee Park/Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Demolished
39 Blackpool (Gynn Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
40 Blackpool (Metropole) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
41 Leyland (Worden Park) - Mini Golf - Open weekends at 11am but was closed when we visited on a Sunday!?
42 Sandbanks - Putting Green
43 Weymouth - Riviera Hotel

* Due to closure, flooding, dereliction or other causes

Adding together the minigolf courses we have visited (both played and derelicts etc.) equals a grand total of 197 courses visited to date!

Only three more to go until the big 200!

Related blog post:
- List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

The Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup - new engraved plate

The Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup received a new engraved title plate before it's defence at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth.

'Scrap Iron' Champion 'Squire' Richard Gottfried with the 'new' Scrap Iron Cup at Staines Adventure Golf Course.

Gottfried retains the Scrap Iron Cup

On Sunday 11th October Richard Gottfried retained the intra-team Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup in the invitational competition played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club.

The competition was played using a two-round mixed strokeplay and matchplay format and Richard won the Cup after making the cut in the 9-hole qualifying round, and then defeating Paul Johnson one-up in the 9-hole matchplay final. Emily Gottfried and Peter Jones were tied for third place.

Richard won the Scrap Iron Cup the previous week in the first edition of the tournament held at Sandbanks Crazy Golf Course.

Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup
Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth 11/10/2009
Venue: The Flintstones Crazy Golf course

Round One - Strokeplay
Rank Player Score
1 Paul Johnson 28
2 Richard Gottfried 30
3 Emily Gottfried 32
3 Peter Jones 32
5 Owen Johnson 33

Round Two - Matchplay

Richard Gottfried vs. Paul Johnson

Richard Gottfried wins 1up

Final Rankings
Rank Player
1 Richard Gottfried
2 Paul Johnson
3 Emily Gottfried
3 Peter Jones
5 Owen Johnson


Rules of the Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup
Played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club
Played in groups of two in round one
Groups are drawn at random using the 'balls in a hat' technique
Round one is a strokeplay match played over 9, 12 or 18 holes
The two players with the top scores after round one qualify for the second round/final
Round two is a matchplay match played over 9, 12 or 18 holes
The winner of the matchplay match becomes the Scrap Iron Cup* Champion**
* The Scrap Iron Cup (aka the 'NABBA ENGLAND 95 CLASS TWO WINNER' Trophy) remains the property of Owen and Paul Johnson
** The Reigning Scrap Iron Champion retains the cup until the next defence whereupon it is given up until the next Scrap Iron Cup tournament has been completed

Gluten Free Fish & Chips in Weymouth at the Old Harbour Fish Bar

To round off a successful weekend of minigolf on the course we headed for the Old Harbour Fish Bar (formerly Maguires) in Weymouth for some well earned Gluten Free Fish and Chips.

I must say that it was one of the best portions of Fish and Chips I've ever had (Gluten Free or 'normal')!