Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Back in action at the BMGA Star City Open in Birmingham

23rd January 2011
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Back in action at the BMGA Star City Open in Birmingham

Luton Minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried teed-off in the first event of the 2011 British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Tour season on Sunday 23rd January at the BMGA Star City Open at Adventure Island Mini Golf, Star City, Birmingham.

Richard was unable to find the form that saw him finish 8th at the BMGA National Open on the Star City course last January and finished mid-table at tied 17th of 34 players, with a total of 108(par), having scored 33, 40 and 35.

Following a forced break from competition due to injury, Emily was in her first full singles BMGA Tour event since the Scottish Open in May last year, and finished in 28th place with a score of 121(+13) after rounds of 42, 40 and 39.

The tournament was played over three 18-hole rounds at the two-course, 36-hole Star City venue, and was won by Oxford’s Michael Smith with a score of 89(-19). Canterbury’s Marc Chapman was runner-up, with Germany’s Martin Stoeckle third.

Richard said “I was nowhere near my best today, and I had to be, with so many players on top form. Last year I hit my first sub-30 round and set a course record here, however my play this time out was a bit too mediocre for my liking. There’s a long season of events ahead and I’m looking forward to visiting some of the new venues like Liverpool and having a crack at some new course records. On the plus side it’s great to see Emily back in BMGA action after having to sit out most of 2010.”

Richard is now in his fifth year as a BMGA Tour player and has won the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open, Manchester Mini Masters, Manchester Miniature Open, Weymouth Open and the BMGA British Club Championships. His best finish in 2010 was as the runner-up in the BMGA British Matchplay Championships in Worthing. Last season he was ranked as 7th of 160 players in the BMGA Season Only Rankings, and 11th of 98 in the BMGA Order of Merit for 2009/10. Emily was 41st in the Order of Merit and 100th in the Season Only Rankings.

Next up for Richard is a visit to the 36-hole Jungle Rumble course in Bristol for the BMGA Rumble in the Jungle Competition in February. So far a further 16 BMGA Tour events have been confirmed for the 2011 Tour Season.

Ends